An Analysis on the Relationship between Frequency of Instructional Communication and Student Persistence in Distance Education

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, had analysis the relationship between frequency of instructional Communication and six kinds of its and some intervening variables with student persistence in Distance education. Materials and Methods: A survey research methodology was used to examine this relationship. The population in this study was 5287 students in three universities and the sample was 744 people that selected randomly. Two customized questionnaire about persistent and non persistent students were used to gathering the data. Results: The results indicated that the frequency of instructional Communication is positively correlated to student persistence rate in Distance courses. Also, in addition to that findings indicated a positive relation between first kind of Communication (Learner- Instructor) and second kind of Communication (Learner- Learner), findings of research indicated a positive and significant relation between learner- instructor Communication and student persistence. as well, had examined the relation between some intervening variables as sexuality, marriage, role of person in life and… with persistence rates in Distance courses. Conclusion: As, the research literature emphasis, increasing the number of frequency Communication, especially relation between student and Instructor, as well as, student persistence increase. In spite of the fact that the persistence rate is main anxiety about Distance education, this results emphasis that instructional institutions as universities can increase the persistence rates of Distance courses with increase the instructional Communication.