ERIC Number: EJ1044978
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0737-7363
EISSN: N/A
"Do I Have to Take This Class?" Nontraditional Students' Attitudes toward and Perceptions of a Required Effective Learning Course
Gordon, Evelyn J.
Journal of Continuing Higher Education, v62 n3 p163-172 2014
This study involves nontraditional students attending a community college in west Texas. The purpose of this study was to report initial attitudes of nontraditional students required to enroll in an Effective Learning/Student Success course. Participants included four nontraditional students from the researchers' Effective Learning/Student Success course ranging in ages from 20 to 45. Data collection consisted of observations, a journal entry, self-report form, and a semi-structured focus group. Results from focus group analysis using open coding revealed four themes: changes from initial thoughts/feelings by nontraditional students about the Effective Learning/Student Success course, perception of traditional students by the nontraditional students, finances and student services, and changes to required enrollment for nontraditional students in the Effective Learning/Student Success course. Results also confirmed transitions that nontraditional students encountered prior to returning to college and the transitions during college. It was concluded that special considerations must be taken into account by community colleges when requiring students to enroll in Effective Learning/Student Success courses.
Descriptors: Nontraditional Students, Student Attitudes, Required Courses, Community Colleges, Observation, Journal Writing, Self Disclosure (Individuals), Focus Groups, Semi Structured Interviews, Attitude Change, Enrollment Influences, Student Characteristics, Learning Strategies, Success, Transitional Programs, Student Needs, Financial Problems, Case Studies, Participant Observation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A