Prior online course experience and GPA as predictors of subsequent online STEM course outcomes

摘要

This study found that G.P.A. and prior online experience both predicted online STEM course outcomes. While students with higher G.P.A.s were also more likely to have successfully completed prior online courses, prior online course experience added significant information about likely future STEM online outcomes, even when controlling for G.P.A. Students who had successfully completed all prior online courses had significantly higher rates of successful online STEM course completion at all G.P.A. levels than students who had failed to complete even one prior online course successfully. Students who had dropped or earned a D or F grade in even one prior online course had significantly lower rates of successful online STEM course completion than students with no prior online experience, even when controlling for G.P.A. This suggests that prior online course outcomes should be combined with G.P.A. when attempting to identify community college students at highest risk in online STEM courses. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.