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The Adult Learning Open University Determinants (ALOUD) study: Biological and psychological factors associated with learning performance in adult distance education
ARTICLE

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British Journal of Educational Technology Volume 46, Number 5, ISSN 0007-1013 e-ISSN 0007-1013 Publisher: Wiley

Abstract

Learning is crucial for everyone. The association between biological (eg, sleep, nutrition) and psychological factors (eg, test anxiety, goal orientation) and learning performance has been well established for children, adolescents and college students in traditional education. Evidence for these associations for adult distance students is lacking however. The Adult Learning Open University Determinants (ALOUD) study is the first to identify the determinants of learning performance within adult distance education. Over the course of 1 year, all new students (n = 4945) of the Open University of the Netherlands were approached. At baseline, 2040 students fully participated in this observational longitudinal study by filling out an online questionnaire and performing cognitive tests. At the 7 and 14 months follow-up, participants filled out a second and third questionnaire respectively, and data were given by the exam registration office to measure learning performance at these times. The ALOUD study might result in tailor-made educational innovations for adults participating in distance education and, finally, a more successful distance education student population.

Citation

Neroni, J., Gijselaers, H.J.M., Kirschner, P.A. & Groot de, R.H.M. (2015). The Adult Learning Open University Determinants (ALOUD) study: Biological and psychological factors associated with learning performance in adult distance education. British Journal of Educational Technology, 46(5), 953-960. Wiley. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from .

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