Contribution of Distance Education to Access and Success in the Public University System

Jennifer GlennieApril 2013

Distance Education Contribution to Access

• Distance hovers around 40% of total university headcount enrolment

Distance Education Contribution to Access

• As most distance students are part-time, distance FTE proportion is around 28%

Where is the Provision?

• Largely at Unisa after a clampdown in policy on distance provision

• Draft policy (2012) opens opportunity to, even encourages, institutions to offer distance– Part of the imperative to increase university participation

rates• DHET quite cautious on the basis of previous

experience of many low cost, poor quality, high profit endeavours – so quality assurance imperative

Distance Education Contribution to Access:

Older studentsAge profile

Distance Education Contribution to Access

Older students• Xx

Age profile

Distance Education Contribution to Access

• Accessible to working students, students in remote areas, students with other commitments

• More accessible to disabled students• More flexible entry requirements

Distance Education Contribution to Access

Lower cost for the system• Input subsidy currently half of ‘contact’• Fees for a qualification in distance tend to be half

that for a ‘contact’ qualification• Most often, no additional accommodation costs

But what of success in distance education?

• FTE credit success rate• Throughput rate

FTE Credit Success Rates

• FTE Distance Credits/FTE Distance2000 - 54%2011 – 68%

• FTE Contact Credits/FTE Contact2000 - 74%2011 – 79%

FTE Credit Success Rates Changes

Distance: from 54% to 68%Contact: from 74% to 79%

Why the increase?

No Randomised Control Trail, but surmise• Greater attention to programme and course

design – team approach• Greater attention to materials design which take

account of student profiles• Some improved attention to learner support –

although usually remedial

The elephants in the room…

RetentionThroughput

Throughput in other parts of the world:

Throughput in South Africa

• Early studies – 5.2% to 36% of those who started in a programme graduated

• DHET and Unisa processing some studies on distance education currently

• Indications are that throughput rates for one (FTE) year qualifications have much better throughput rates

Distance Education Graduates in 2011

Level CESM

Distance Graduates

% of all Graduates

Dip/Cert 19 659 37%UG Deg 10 078 16%PG Dip/Hons 10 278 32%Other 780 7%Total Distance 40 795 25%