Relationship quality in higher distance education: Dutch students' perspectives

Good relationships between students and educational institutions have a positive influence on student involvement and the prevention of student drop-out. However, research is scarce on how students in higher distance education experience the quality of the relationships with their educational institution. This study aims to gain insight into students’ their relationship quality using an online critical incident technique. Students’ positive (n = 107) and negative (n = 86) incidents were collected from a Dutch higher distance university (N = 108). Results showed positive experiences, e.g., supervision, competence development, and negative experiences, e.g., uncertainty of students learning expectations, irritation towards their supervisors, long reaction time on tasks/feedback on assignments. This study provides practical and theoretical implications for higher distance learning.