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Contribution of Distance Education to Access and Success in the Public University System. Jennifer Glennie April 2013. Distance Education Contribution to Access. Distance hovers around 40% of total university headcount enrolment. Distance Education Contribution to Access.
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Contribution of Distance Education to Access and Success in the Public University System Jennifer Glennie April 2013
Distance Education Contribution to Access • Distance hovers around 40% of total university headcount enrolment
Distance Education Contribution to Access • As most distance students are part-time, distance FTE proportion is around 28%
Where is the Provision? • Largely at Unisa after a clampdown in policy on distance provision • Draft policy (2012) opens opportunity to, even encourages, institutions to offer distance • Part of the imperative to increase university participation rates • DHET quite cautious on the basis of previous experience of many low cost, poor quality, high profit endeavours – so quality assurance imperative
Distance Education Contribution to Access:Older students Age profile
Distance Education Contribution to AccessOlder students Age profile • Xx
Distance Education Contribution to Access • Accessible to working students, students in remote areas, students with other commitments • More accessible to disabled students • More flexible entry requirements
Distance Education Contribution to Access Lower cost for the system • Input subsidy currently half of ‘contact’ • Fees for a qualification in distance tend to be half that for a ‘contact’ qualification • Most often, no additional accommodation costs
But what of success in distance education? • FTE credit success rate • Throughput rate
FTE Credit Success Rates • FTE Distance Credits/FTE Distance 2000 - 54% 2011 – 68% • FTE Contact Credits/FTE Contact 2000 - 74% 2011 – 79%
FTE Credit Success Rates ChangesDistance: from 54% to 68%Contact: from 74% to 79%
Why the increase? No Randomised Control Trail, but surmise • Greater attention to programme and course design – team approach • Greater attention to materials design which take account of student profiles • Some improved attention to learner support – although usually remedial
The elephants in the room… Retention Throughput
Throughput in South Africa • Early studies – 5.2% to 36% of those who started in a programme graduated • DHET and Unisa processing some studies on distance education currently • Indications are that throughput rates for one (FTE) year qualifications have much better throughput rates
Distance Education Graduates in 2011 Level CESM