De la multiplicité des facteurs à prendre en compte pour mieux comprendre l’abandon en formation à distance

Abstract

It has frequently been pointed out that dropout rates are particularly high in distance education. This article highlights the multiplicity of factors that can explain dropout and the need to cross-reference several of them to get closer to the complexity of the articulation of the various factors influencing student progress. Starting with a distinction in three categories of factors (relating to the characteristics of the student, his or her environment and his or her courses), the research presented proposes to cross various methodological approaches to better understand the influences of one category of factors on another. The research shows that the link between the pedagogical design of courses and dropout is not direct but depends on the characteristics of the students and their environment, such as the appreciation of the support offered.

Keywords

• distance education (DE)
• dropout
• perseverance
• student characteristics
• instructional design
• support