This study examined the effectiveness of using learner-centered principles to reduce dropout rates in rural high school distance learning courses. The researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing an intervention group, where facilitators were trained to support students using 14 learner-centered principles, to a control group. They found significantly lower dropout rates for both schools (11% vs 44%) and students (33% vs 57%) in the intervention group that utilized the learner-centered facilitator model compared to the control group. The study demonstrated that applying learner-centered principles through local adult facilitators can improve student outcomes in distance learning courses more so than online instruction alone.

1. Enhancing Distance Learning with
Learner-Centered Principles
Wallace Hannum
University of North Carolina
Barbara McCombs
Denver Research Institute

2. Rural Education in America
• 30% of all schools
• 20% all students
• Difficulties include
– Problem hiring and retaining teachers
– Finding qualified teachers for some
subjects
– Small number of students
– Offering complete curriculum
– Offering advanced courses

3. Distance Learning as Potential Solution
• Need
– 70% rural high schools were using DL
– 85% had used DL
– 65% indicated need for more DL courses
• Effectiveness
– Meta-analysis show ES from 0.0124 to .09
– About the same learning outcomes as
traditional instruction
– Technology itself doesn’t improve
achievement
– Drop out rates ~60% in some DL courses

4. Why Students Drop Out
• Fall behind in self-paced courses
• Poor self-regulating skills
• Lack of contact with teacher/adult
• Weak relationships with teacher/adult
• Lack of support system
• Perception of isolation

5. Theoretical Background
• American Psychological Association
exploration of factors effecting learning
• Research identified 14 factors with
empirical & theoretical support
• Grouped into 4 categories
– Cognitive & Metacognitive Factors
– Motivational & Affective Factors
– Developmental & Social Facors
– Individual Difference Factors

6. Research Design
• National sample selected at random
• Rural High Schools
• Advanced Placement DL course
• Taught online by two instructors
• Each school assigned at random to
intervention/control group
• Double-blind to instructors & schools
• Randomized controlled trial (RCT)

7. Facilitator Model
• Asynchronous DL course
• Students have assigned period to do their
work monitored by facilitator
• Typically 3-4 students per school
• Local facilitators with students during period
• Facilitator is adult school employee
– Administrator
– Teacher
– Coach
– Librarian

8. Intervention
• Facilitators in intervention condition trained to
support students through use of the 14
Learner-Centered Principles
• Initial training in pilot test was traditional
• Revised training to shift to constructivist
learning environment for facilitators
– Case-based instruction
– Ongoing collaboration among facilitators
– Tried to built learning community
– Encouraged generation & sharing of practices that
supported students
• Both Intervention & Control had basic training
in using DL system

9. Completion Rate for Schools
• Intervention
– 18 schools started
– 2 schools dropped
– 11% drop-out rate
• Control
– 18 schools started
– 8 schools dropped
– 44% drop-out rate

10. Completion Rate for Students
• Intervention
– 115 students started
– 76 completed year
– 39 dropped-out
– 33% drop out rate
• Control
– 121 students started
– 52 completed year
– 69 dropped-out
– 57% drop out rate

11. Conclusion
• Use of Learner-Centered Principles
reduces drop-out rate in distance
learning courses
• Important to have adult support of high
school students using these principles
• Facilitators improve ability to support
students through collaborating in
constructivist learning environment
• Quality of online instruction alone not
sufficient

12. Next Steps
• Larger study next year
• Larger range of student abilities
• Regular algebra course
• Continue to use facilitator model based
on 14 Learner-Centered Principles