The challenges of online education in Mexico from the student perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29059/educiencia.v5i2.195Keywords:
online education, school dropout, motivationAbstract
Online education is a trend in higher education worldwide. However, the dropout of online education is a constant. The objective of this study
was to study the experiences of students enrolled in a program of this kind and identify the factors that affect their decision to leave.
A qualitative method with a phenomenological approach was used to collect information from students of a higher education program in educational
technology. The results show that students appreciate online education and give it an important meaning because of the flexibility it provides to learn throughout their lives and the application of it in their work contexts. However, time management is a challenge for students since they expressed difficulties combining activities. The nature of the qualitative approach avoids generalizing findings; but it can be concluded that improving the skills of time management, resilience capacity, intrinsic motivation would help to dimmish dropout. Like-wise, fostering the sense of community in online programs by instructors is an imperative to develop meaningful interactions thus increasing extrinsic motivation.
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