1. Retention and Online Learning
Whitney Kilgore

2. Why do students drop out?
• Personal variables
• Institutional variables
• Circumstantial variables
2http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/winter94/herbert94.htm

3. 3
How do Faculty impact retention?

4. 4
Organize content by topic
Research shows that knowledge retention is enhanced
when content is served up in manageable portions.

5. Encourage
Collaboration
Connected students
are engaged learners.

6. 6
Instructor Presence
Try to spend some time with your online course every day.
See what’s new with your students, and keep them updated.

7. 7
Maintain a strict class schedule
To-Do lists with due dates and timelines are effective.
Don’t alter your plan.

8. 8
Develop rapport
Online
communications
should develop
rapport with students
and build peer
relationships.

9. 9
Timely feedback
Encourage students to perform at their peak with
constructive and timely feedback.

10. Be available
Encourage students to e-mail you with any questions they
have related to the course.

11. 11
Encourage Self
Reflection
Students who are
self directed and
reflective are more
likely to be
retained.

12. 12
Student Peer
Mentors
Empower students
to facilitate
discussions, monitor
participation, peer
review work, help
other students with
technical questions.