AUTHOR=Delnoij Laurie , Janssen Jose , Dirkx Kim , Gijselaers Hieronymus , de Groot Renate H. , Neroni Joyce , de Bie Marion , Martens Rob 

TITLE=Predicting Completion: The Road to Informed Study Decisions in Higher Online Education

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Education

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2021.668922

DOI=10.3389/feduc.2021.668922

ISSN=2504-284X

ABSTRACT=<p>Non-completion is an ongoing concern in higher education, and even more so in higher <italic>online</italic> education. One way to address this problem is to take initiatives prior to student enrollment, enabling informed decision making. In line with this, an institution for open higher <italic>online</italic> education seeks to develop a (non-committal) online self-assessment for prospective students. To identify variables (tests) to be included in this self-assessment, the present study aims at validating variables–previously identified as “predictive of completion in higher education and open to intervention before enrollment”—within the current higher <italic>online</italic> education context. Results of correlational analyses indicate that the following modifiable variables are relevant to include: hours planned to study, employment hours, study intention, discipline, discipline confidence, basic mathematical skills, and social support. Based on a sensitivity cut-off of 95% (to minimize false negatives) about 13% of the actual non-completers could be identified correctly. Implications for future development of the self-assessment are discussed.</p>