Online Learning

Retain Students

Utilize strategies for maximizing student retention, persistence and success.

Practices

Retention strategies help students persist in their learning in order to successfully achieve the outcomes of the curriculum and as well as their long-term educational goals. Here are the essential practices for this category.

Essential Practices
  • Regularly review student engagement and academic progress, and proactively initiate communication to support student participation and advancement, or to recognize student growth and development.
  • Provide detailed and constructive feedback on assignments early enough for students to adjust course performance.
  • Prominently place student support resources in the course, and regularly promote and proactively connect students to those services.
  • Initiate contact with students with approved academic accommodations, and work with Accessible Ed & Disability Resources to ensure that accommodations are provided in a timely manner.
  • Use the CPN or other Early Alert systems to provide official feedback on course progress.
  • Remind students during week 1 of the “No-show” policy specified in the syllabus.
High-Impact Practices for Continuous Improvement
  • Look for opportunities to connect with students during the first week of the term to encourage one-on-one communication.
  • Communicate the course organizational structure to students to reduce confusion, deviations, or distractions.
  • Remind students of expectations for workload, due dates, and end of term deadlines.
  • Encourage students to engage in and promote campus extracurricular and community-based events related to area of study or discipline.
  • Provide alternatives to technologies and resources needed for the class when applicable.
  • Schedule a time to meet with students who have academic accommodations to discuss individual needs.

Examples

Examples of direct communication:

  • Utilize intelligent agents in D2L to monitor student progress and automate messages to students who are missing work.
  • Use the CARE reporting service through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Support to express a concern about a student.
  • Front-load communication efforts during the first two weeks of the term via email, videos, and announcements in order to promote student engagement and strategies for course success as well as recognizing excellent work from students who are on track.
  • Provide a student-centered space where students feel comfortable sharing any issues or challenges they face in completing the course. Demonstrate openness to address any issues or challenges students face in completing the course by being approachable, positive, and encouraging.
  • Offer flexibility with learning activities when possible to help students achieve learning outcomes.
  • Provide access to alternative technologies when subject-specific applications may not be compatible for all operating systems.

Resources