EDU699 CAPSTONE PROJECT

ISSUES OF ATTRITION: PLAN TO INCREASE

RETENTION IN ONLINE EDUCATION

David Six
Post University
2016

Abstract

The Purpose of this

Capstone Project is
to address the issue
of high attrition rates
in online education.
The best way to
increase student
retention is through
assessing them in
the initial enrollment
process.

Website was created to

provide students with
tools to achieve
academic excellence.
Website becomes
required instructional
pre-enrollment course.
250- 500 words
required to
demonstrate knowledge
of information and
ability to write well.

Problem Statement
LITERATURE SUGGESTS
THAT ELEMENTS OF
CULTURE, MOTIVATION,
LEARNING
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
AND ONLINE PEDAGOGY
PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN
ATTRITION RATES IN THE
HIGHER EDUCATION
SECTOR"(BOTON,
COLFERAI, SUE 2015).

"ATTRITION RATES FOR

CLASSES TAUGHT
THROUGH DISTANCE
EDUCATION ARE 10-20%
HIGHER THAN CLASSES
TAUGHT IN A FACE-TOFACE SETTING
(JOURNAL OF
EDUCATORS, 2007).

Research Questions

How would
students begin to
become more
prepared for taking
classes in the
online
environment?
How would
Universities best
lower rates of
attrition?

Literature Review: Motivation

and Retention

"motivation,
employee quality, cost
of college,
administrative red
tape, dissatisfaction
with course offerings,
life balance, and
expectations vs. the
reality of college
coursework"(Mertes
and Jankoviak, 2016).

Major barriers to
education include:
Motivation
Academic
expectation
Life Balance
Each of these
barriers is
addressed in the
Capstone Project

Literature Review: Prioritization

and application

"Poorly performing
students tend to leave
because staying is not
worthwhile rather than
because they are at risk
of failing out of school.
Poor performance
substantially decreases
the enjoymentof school
and substantially
influences beliefs about
post-college
earnings"(Stinebrickner,
2014).

Lack of
prioritization exists
in student
dropouts.
Good grades create
positive revolving
door to a better
student attitude.
Significant lack of
student focus

Literature Review:
Time Management

In research, it had been

determined that there
was a negative and
significant relationship
between grade point
average and time
management. As a
conclusion, it was
understood that if grade
point average increases,
time management scores
decreased"(Burcak,
Levent, and Kaan, 2015).

Time Management is
crucial tool to student
success.
Allows for appropriate
time allotted to each
assignment and
scheduled to each night
appropriately.
Helps student manage
pipeline of activity and
academics in any given
week to assure
punctuality.

Design and Methodology:

Capstone Overview
Pg 1. Introduction
The introduction page covers a bit of an
overview and abstract about exactly why the
site was created. The page continues to go
over student expectations and steps for the
completion of the required pre-enrollment
site.

Pg. 2. Time Management

This page covers the information for the
importance of time management and how it
benefits the busy social, academic and work
life. The page continues to cover information
including a workable problem set that is
joined with a project continued onto the
following page that intertwines how to time
manage and prioritize throughout a given
week The page includes an informational
video that delves into the importance of time
management.

Pg. 3. Prioritizing
This page continues with the
problem set from the page before that
began a workable and learnable project.
It continues to list another helpful and
instructional video delving into what it
takes to prioritize and be successful as a
college student.

Pg. 4. Motivation
Site includes information,
links and another video to help gain
knowledge on how to stay focused and
motivated with college courses. The
video covers tips on motivation and
gives the student an idea of what kind of
tips can get them through their studies.

Design and Methodology:

Capstone Overview

Pg. 5. Academic Resources

This page includes
hyperlinks to numerous
important academic resources
at the University that one can
take advantage of online and
how they will help. These six
crucial academic resources
include, academic advising,
IT support, faculty, virtual
library, writing center, online
tutoring services.

Pg. 6 Writing Assignment

This site covers detailed
instructions on how to what to do in
order to submit the assignment and
what would be needed. This essay is
required to be from 250-500 words in
length and should demonstrate the
importance of tools learned within this
site including Time management,
prioritization, motivation, and
utilization of academic resources for
online learning.

Pg. 7. Learning Outcomes

This page covers a small picture
and brief outcomes that should have
been easily understood.

Assessment:
Areas of improvement

Panel of experts
contained four
professionals within
the field of Higher
Education.
Three experts are
professionals in
undergraduate
admissions and one
is a training
manager.

There was room for

more information.
Could have
included an online
tutorial/ orientation
to classes
themselves.
Could have
included a few
more professional
resources

Assessment:
Positive Results

1. Project addresses issue

of high attrition and is
executed professionally.
2. Project is effective resource
to increase retention
3. Panel believes this will have
a strong impact on students
entering online learning.

5. Project is clear, concise,

and understandable?

6. The font, theme and

background for website
readable and aesthetic.

4. Project will help students

better manage time, prioritize,
and motivate.

7. The project effectively

requires students to
comply to writing
assignment.

Self Evaluation

3 End Goals of the Capstone

Project
1. The project better prepares
unqualified students to take on the
initial college courses with a greater
knowledge of expectations.

2. Test a student's readiness and

motivation to begin courses online.

3. Allow students who demonstrate

academic excellence in reading
comprehension and writing ability to
place out of the initial college
success seminar course.

Project meets 3 M.Ed. Outcomes

"students will demonstrate an
understanding of creativity and
innovation as applied to
education"(Post University Syllabus,
2016).
"Students will be able to identify and
use current relevant technology in
the service of better learning"(Post
University Syllabus, 2016).
when "Students will be able to
analyze demographic and social
trends, student service models, and
higher education delivery models in
terms of the implications for college
recruitment, retention, graduation,
and gainful employment"(Post
University Syllabus, 2016).

References

Minimizing Attrition in Online Degree Courses Boton, Eliani Colferai; Gregory, Sue Journal of
Educators Online, v12 n1 Jan 2015

Mertes, S. J., & Jankoviak, M. W. (2016). Creating a College-Wide Retention Program: A Mixed
Methods Approach. Community College Enterprise, 22(1), 9-27, M. W. (2016). Creating a
College-Wide Retention Program: A Mixed Methods Approach. Community College Enterprise,
22(1), 9-27

Petty, T. (2014). MOTIVATING FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND

COLLEGE COMPLETION. College Student Journal, 48(2), 257-264

Stein, Deborah Ruth Friedeman Federman, "Conditions that facilitate the implementation of
innovative freshman experience courses: A comparative analysis of three courses" (1997).
Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation - Dissertations. Paper 46.
http://surface.syr.edu/idde_etd/46
http://libezproxy.syr.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=736846951&si
d=1&Fmt=2&clientId=3739&RQT=309&VName=PQD

BURAK, . O., LEVENT, . E., & KAAN, E. O. (2015). INVESTIGATION OF TIME MANAGEMENT
SKILLS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO PLAY SPORTS AND DON'T PLAY SPORT. Ovidius University
Annals, Series Physical Education & Sport/Science, Movement & Health, 15(2), 602-609.

References

Ryoko, F., Hideo Joho2, h., & Tetsuya, M. (2015). Practice and experience of task management of
university students: Case of University of Tsukuba, Japan. Education For Information, 31(3), 109124. doi:10.3233/EFI-150953

Gabriel, C. K. (2015). Impact of Birth Order on Procrastination among College Students in Eldoret
Town. Journal Of Education And Practice, 6(22), 106-111.

Journal of Educators, July 2007 Strategies to Engage Online Students and Reduce Attrition Rates
Angelino, Lorraine M.; Williams, Frankie Keels; Natvig, Deborah
http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ907749

Chai, K. K., & Gibson, D. (2015). Predicting the Risk of Attrition for Undergraduate Students with
Time Based Modelling. International Association For Development Of The Information Society,

Stinebrickner, R., & Stinebrickner, T. (2014). Academic Performance and College Dropout: Using
Longitudinal Expectations Data to Estimate a Learning Model. Journal Of Labor Economics, 32(3),
601-64