Abstract:

Addressing the challenge of module prerequisites in contact institutions in higher education, this paper advocates for the implementation of fully online four-week Gateway modules targeting modules with traditionally high failure rates. This initiative ensured quality, self-directed online learning opportunities during inter-semester breaks, enabling students to re-engage with essential content in the module they failed. These online modules are typically critical for students who have failed the prerequisite contact version of the modules, as they need to successfully repeat these before progressing, often adding an extra year to their academic journey. The Gateway module strategy offered a timely and efficient alternative to repeating an entire semester, potentially reducing the time to degree completion. By providing a focused, supportive relearning opportunity, fully online, the Gateway modules aimed to significantly reduce the time and resource impacts of module repetition, fostering student retention and timely graduation. In this paper, the findings after the first two years of offering these fully online Gateway modules will provide insight into the impact of these modules on student success and throughput rates.

Keywords:

Success rates, failure rates, fully online learning, prerequisites, student success, throughput rates.