Promoting retention and successful completion on Masters courses in education: a study comparing e‐tuition using asynchronous conferencing software with face‐to‐face tuition

Abstract

This paper considers the influence of e‐tuition using an asynchronous written conferencing package, FirstClass, upon retention and success rates for Masters‐level courses in a distance learning programme as compared with similar courses that were supported in a traditional manner using face‐to‐face tuition. The paper investigates the common assumption that the use of e‐tuition might negatively influence both retention and success rates by studying data gathered on UK Open University Masters courses in education. These data have allowed direct comparisons between e‐tutored and face‐to‐face tutored courses to be made. The effect of linking assessment to participation in activities using FirstClass is also considered in this study. This research has revealed that e‐tutoring using FirstClass appears to have no significant positive or negative influence on either retention or success on such courses.

Keywords:

• E‐learning
• Retention
• Pass rates

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Rosemary Wilson, a Staff Tutor in the UK OU Faculty of Education and Language Studies, and Dr Diane Phillips, an associate lecturer for the faculty on TESOL Worldwide. Without their help and support, this paper would not have been possible.