Bhs420 Mod 1 2013 (Tu()

Trident University International
Critical Thinking –Factors that Influence Adult Learning
Assignment
Being able to read and understand research studies requires quantitative reasoning. The purpose of this assignment is to help you get accustomed to identifying the various parts of a research study. Be sure to review the module homepage and background information before you begin any of the assignments in this course.
In general, the best way to approach the assignment is to read the article through rather rapidly in order to get an impression of its general content; then read it more slowly and make appropriate notes so you can complete the assignment as directed below.
Review the instructions and the ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS below, and then read this research article:
Park, J., & Choi, H. J. (2009). Factors influencing adult learners' decision to drop out or persist in online learning. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 12(4), 207-n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1287038599?accountid=28844
Your task is to identify and summarize the main points of the research study according to the directions below. This is different than a typical essay. Read the whole assignment and ALL instructions before beginning your paper.
Organize your paper using these headings, in this order. Your paper should look like the following list/outline, with these same subheadings listed in the same order. Just provide the information for each section.
I already know that the authors of the article can identify their purpose, hypothesis, etc. so you will not earn credit for copying the information from the article. Show me what you understand after reading the article. Explain each section very briefly so I can see what you learned from reading the article. Your summary of each section must be written in your own words. Do not copy or simply paraphrase.
Reference: This should be so accurate that the reader can go directly from your abstract to the original article. Give a complete APA style reference. (Hint: the reference above is in APA style, so your reference should like that)
Purpose of the study: Sometimes the purpose is stated as an aim, an objective, or a goal. At other times, it is incorporated in a statement of a problem, leaving the reader to infer the purpose has a stated problem, a purpose, or both. If the purpose is inferred, you may state it in your own words.
Participants: The term “participant” refers to the sample studied. Under this heading, you should include a description of ages, sexes, socio-economic status, school grade, mental level, number, and/or any other demographic characteristics given in the article to describe the particular sample used in the study.
Type of Study: Was it a quantitative or a qualitative study? Or were both types of data used? Please explain why you think so.
Hypothesis: What is the hypothesis of the study? If the hypothesis is inferred, you may state it in your own words.
Procedure: Sometimes the procedure is referred to as the “method” and includes a description of control techniques, measuring devices, materials used and ways of proceeding, in attempting to achieve the purpose or purposes of the study.
Statistical Tests: Identify the statistical tests used in the article; examples might be chi square (x2), t-test, f-test, Mann-Whitney, etc.
Results or Findings: What actual data was reported by the author of the study? Explain the results -- don't just copy them.
Conclusions: What does the author of the research article believe the results or findings mean?
Critique: In each of the previous sections, you have been reporting what the article said. Now, I want you to think critically about what you've learned, and give me your own thoughts. Briefly describe your reaction to the article. For example, was it well-organized? Easy or difficult to understand (please explain why)? Did it present diverse perspectives about the topic? Don't limit yourself to just these questions -- be reflective about what you read.

Critical Thinking –Factors that Influence Adult Learning

Reference: Vonderwell, S., & Zachariah, S. (2005). Factors that influence participation in online learning. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(2), 213-230. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/274761283?accountid=28844.
Park, J., & Choi, H. J. (2009). Factors influencing adult learners' decision to drop out or persist in online learning. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 12(4), 207-n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1287038599?accountid=28844
Purpose of the study: Vonderwell and Zachariah conducted a study to look at the factors that influenced learner participation. They looked into several sections at the Midwestern University. They found that for online comprehension must have common goals as all the members are dependent on each other for success creating a learning community and not just an individual (Vonderwell, S., & Zachariah, S. 2005).
Participants: This study encompassed 147 learners that discontinued in one to three online courses between the fall of 2005 through the summer of 2007. This study was conducted with males and females from the ages of 20 to over 40.
Type of Study: This was a quantitative and a qualitative study. This study was a quantitative study as it showed the number of learners that drop out due to varies variables: scheduling conflicts, family and personnel issues, financial problems, managerial support. This study is also expressed as a quantitative as its goal is to show the dropout rate and change the behavior from a broader perspective and a more personable way as to check on the students and see their status.
Hypothesis: I believe from this study that adult online learners are more likely to drop out when they do not receive support from their internal and external structures and sources that lead guide and motivate their lives independently along with enrolling in course that are able to effect and are relevant to their lives.
Procedure: The method of this study was conducted was population and sample
Statistical Tests: This study used the longitudinal process of dropout distance education test, the estimated marginal means of relevance, estimated marginal means of satisfaction.
Results or Findings: This study showed that there are many factors that affect online learners such as external factors (family), internal (to themselves) and the difference in what the learners desires in an online course and resolving to remain motivated in the course if it is relevant to their life in some way.
Critique: As I am not best person with reading comprehension and am a bottle line up front (BLUF) this article was a dry read to me and rather difficult to pick out all the test that were conducted. Although, the overall result were very plainly stated that online learner has outside influences that guide them in the completion of a course and their motivation to remain. I thought it was interesting that the study addressed administrators and instructors roles strictly to support the student on all levels where possible.
Conclusions: This study concluded that online learns are more likely to drop out when they don’t receive support (weather internal, external, and personal). Also, it showed that online student are less likely to drop out when they are motivated by the course and are content with and the practicality to their own lives.