Older, online and first: Recommendations for retention and success

Authors

  • Cathy Stone The University of Newcastle
  • Sarah O'Shea The University of Wollongong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.3913

Keywords:

Higher Education, First in Family, Online, Mature age

Abstract

The university student population in Australia contains increasing numbers of older students returning to learning after a significant gap in their educational journey. Many are choosing to enrol online to combine their studies with other time-consuming responsibilities. This article examines the nature of this online student experience with a focus on those aged 25 and over who are the first in their families to embark on university studies. Drawing on interviews conducted with both staff and students operating in this virtual space, as well as other related research and literature, this article offers recommendations to higher education institutions and educators on ways to improve retention and ongoing participation of this cohort.

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Author Biographies

  • Cathy Stone, The University of Newcastle
    Conjoint Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Science
    The University of Newcastle
    Australia
    2016 Equity Fellow & 2017 Visiting Research Fellow, National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE)
  • Sarah O'Shea, The University of Wollongong

    Principal Fellow, HEA; Australian Learning and Teaching Fellow 

    2017 Visiting Research Fellow, NCSEHE (Curtin Uni)

    Chair, Wollongong Academy of Tertiary Teaching and Learning Excellence (WATTLE)

    School of Education | Social Sciences | 67:308

    University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia

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Published

2019-03-21

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 1 (2019): AJET

Section

Articles

License

Articles published in the Australasian Journal of Educational Technology (AJET) are available under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives Licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Authors retain copyright in their work and grant AJET right of first publication under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

This copyright notice applies to articles published in AJET volumes 36 onwards. Please read about the copyright notices for previous volumes under Journal History.

How to Cite

Stone, C., & O'Shea, S. (2019). Older, online and first: Recommendations for retention and success. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.3913