ERIC Number: EJ1277629
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Dec
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2472-5749
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Identifying At-Risk Online Learners by Psychological Variables Using Machine Learning Techniques
Chien, Hsiang-Yu; Kwok, Oi-Man; Yeh, Yu-Chen; Sweany, Noelle Wall; Baek, Eunkyeng; McIntosh, William
Online Learning, v24 n4 p131-146 Dec 2020
The purpose of this study was to investigate a predictive model of online learners' learning outcomes through machine learning. To create a model, we observed students' motivation, learning tendencies, online learning-motivated attention, and supportive learning behaviors along with final test scores. A total of 225 college students who were taking online courses participated. Longitudinal data were collected over three semesters (T1, T2, and T3). T3 was used as training data given that it contained the largest sample size across all three data waves. To analyze the data, two approaches were applied: (1) stepwise logistic regression; and (2) random forest (RF). Results showed that RF used fewer items and predicted final grades more accurately in a small sample. Furthermore, it selected four items that might potentially be used to identify at-risk learners even before they enroll in an online course.
Descriptors: Identification, At Risk Students, College Students, Psychological Patterns, Psychological Characteristics, Electronic Learning, Predictor Variables, Models, Outcomes of Education, Student Motivation, Scores, Online Courses, Distance Education
Online Learning Consortium, Inc. P.O. Box 1238, Newburyport, MA 01950. Tel: 888-898-6209; Fax: 888-898-6209; e-mail: olj@onlinelearning-c.org; Web site: https://olj.onlinelearningconsortium.org/index.php/olj/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A