Notes on: Student Performance at a Community College: Mode of Delivery, Employment, and Academic Skills as Predictors of Success

Online enrollment at community colleges has increased 8.2%, compared to no change for overall enrollment in 2011.

There is little research done on the specific population of community colleges with regards to online education and performance at 2-year institutions.

Large studies focusing on the community college populations have produced varied results and ignored relevant variables.

The variables used in the study have been linked in the literature to be strong predictors of success, these include:

• Age
• Gender
• Course load
• Caregiver status
•  Mode of delivery
• GPA
• Credits previously completed
• Employment (average working hours)
• Math, reading & writing proficiency 

There were no significant differences between the online and F2F students in many of the categories, although some factors (GPA, math placement, employment, and mode of delivery) were detrimental factors.

• 60% of students employed more than 12hrs and 60.7% of online students experienced negative results.
• 25% of employed students 12hr or fewer and 34.7% of F2F students experienced negative results. 
• Students in a math placement of 4 or less has 21.78 points less in the final exam, compared to those place above 4.
• Students employed 40+hrs had 24.95 points lower than students not employed, in the final exam.
• Online student's final exam score was 11.8 points lower than F2F students.
• Math placement and employment seem to be bigger predictors of success.

Even though math was used as a predictor, the course required simple Algebra not a heavy complexity - yet math still showed as having a relationship.

Feeling of isolation seem to be present in online community college students, made increased by the effect of long hours in work having an effect in interaction time.

Results are consistent with previous data stating that online students are less likely to complete successfully their courses than F2F.

Reference:

Wolff, B. G., Wood-kustanowitz, a M., & Ashkenazi, J. M. (2014). Student Performance at a Community College: Mode of Delivery, Employment, and Academic Skills as Predictors of Success. 10(2), 166–178.