DROPOUT IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

validation of a scale

Abstract

Dropout is a serious threat to Distance Education. This paper aims to contribute to the educational field through statistical validation of the tool Factors Related to Dropout and Persistence in Distance Education. The target-courses for such validation were offered by institutions of higher education located in the interior of the State of Sao Paulo. Data collection occurred at the end of the courses through an online questionnaire that measured favoring and hindering factors of student persistence in distance learning courses. Statistical analysis of Principal Component (PC), Factorial (PAF) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) were performed. After statistical validation, the scale showed four factors: Technological support and mentoring, 18 items (a=0.93); Features exogenous to the course, 11 items (a=0.84); Student characteristics, 8 items (a=0.86); and Course design, 4 items (a=0.75). The results indicate that the scale, for research participants, is statistically valid and reliable.