Abstract:
The tendency towards decreasing class attendance by students is a concern for many
tertiary institutions. Various factors contribute to the motivation of students, which in turn
directly or indirectly influence them to attend lectures. The aim of the study is mainly
to investigate which factors are related to the problem of low lecture attendance, and
to determine the relation between lecture attendance and online support for students,
gender, age, year level groups and faculty groups. A non-probability sample was
drawn at the largest residential university in South Africa. Some of the findings showed
differences between female and male lecture attendance, lecture/r quality as well as
reasons for attending classes. It was also observed that there is a positive association
between lecturer evaluation and lecture attendance by students. The results provide
insight into a better understanding about class attendance and may enhance interaction
between students and lecturers.
