Institutional support for peer contact in distance education: An empirical investigation

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Abstract
Two hypotheses derived from Keegan's theoretical framework of reintegration in distance education formed the focus for this investigation. Opportunities for peer contact and support were re‐integrated into an existing distance education program for the purpose of affecting achievement, self‐perception of learning achievement, final academic standing (including non‐completion), and attitudes. The analysis was conducted in two parts; one based on an experimental sample and the other based on a larger general sample. No significant differences were found between levels of the experimental variable, but peer contact was found to significantly discriminate between levels of both course completion and final academic standing in one of the targeted courses based on the general sample.