Success profiling: a methodological perspective on the interactive nature of success predictors on student performance at an open and distance learning institution
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Date
2010
Authors
Müller, Hélène
Swanepoel, Elana
De Beer, Andreas
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Education, University of the Free State
Abstract
The drive to improve the academic performance of students at an open and distance learning (ODL)
institution has resulted in the incorporation of a blended learning component, namely satellite classes,
in the learning strategy to enhance the academic performance of first year diploma students in Business
Management and Management. Monitoring this intervention to justify implementation costs (Mathur
& Oliver, 2007:3) and effectiveness in relation to student performance is essential. Whereas an initial
study confirmed a statistically significant relationship between satellite class attendance and academic
performance, this study evaluated the interaction effect of satellite classes and additional, potential
success predictors on academic performance by applying the Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector
(CHAID) methodology. This decision tree methodology described the interactive driving forces that
impacted on student success. Satellite class intervention and biographical student attributes constituted
the driving forces. The CHAID analysis enabled the profiling of successful and at-risk students. The
decision tree algorithm mimics true life situations where various effects interactively and jointly influence
and predict an outcome. The results showed that satellite class intervention as such was an effective and
significant predictor of performance, but that the critical interacting nature of satellite class attendance
and additional co-predictors, such as population group and type of matriculation certificate, considerably
strengthened performance prediction.
Description
Keywords
ODL, Blended learning intervention, Business management, Success profile, Satellite class attendance, Student performance, Throughput, Decision trees, Data partitioning, CHAID analysis, Population group, Matriculation certificate, Age, At-risk profile
Citation
Muller, H., Swanepoel, E., & De Beer, A. (2010). Success profiling: A methodological perspective on the interactive nature of success predictors on student performance at an open and distance learning institution. Perspectives in Education, 28(2), 63-74.