Presents a critical analysis of research explaining dropout in distance education, and suggests the direction of future studies needed to form new theories regarding dropout. Highlights include discussions of mediated communication, audio teleconferencing, and problems with current research methodology and conceptual models. (LRW)

Discusses factors which lead to attrition from adult distance learning courses. Learning barriers included situational, institutional, dispositional, and epistemological factors. Comparisons between persisters and withdrawals are presented, and the study's impact on future distance learning programs is discussed. (Contains 26 references.) (SLW)

Argues research investigating distance education drop-out problems hasn't been based on comprehensive theoretical models; suggests Spady, Tinto, and Boshier's theoretical models are relevant to such research, since they reflect importance of exploring aptitude-treatment interactions in investigating drop-out problems; and proposes that the…

Discusses results of a survey of 148 off-campus students formerly enrolled in Deakin University (Australia) to assess factors that influenced their decisions to leave/withdraw. Implications of the findings for quality assurance in higher education and the development of more flexible modes of distance education are suggested. (Author/LRW)

Reports results of an investigation into the complexities of student attrition in a distance education course at the University of Sydney. Results of interviews were divided into four main categories: situational, including a student's particular circumstances; dispositional, including student attitudes; institutional; and epistemological,…

Describes a study that examined which factors made a difference in distance learners' achievements and their continuous enrollment status over one year in the Korea National Open University. Results of a path analysis discusses learners' job load, grade point average, study time, social integration, face-to-face activities, and drop-outs. Contains…

Describes a survey of 356 adult students enrolled in university-level courses at the Open Learning Institute which was conducted to assess the predictive validity of Tinto's theoretical model of student dropout. It was found that, overall, the Tinto model appears to be a useful framework for such investigations. (Author/LRW)

Describes a study which examined relationships between academic persistence and turn-around time, feedback interval, and contacts between student and institution beyond assignment submissions at Allama Iqbal Open University, Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education, Open Learning Institute of British Columbia, Tasmanian State Institute of…