Maximizing Retention and Progression to Graduation in Online Programs: A Case Study in “Designing With the End in Mind”

Review Of The Literature

The number of college students enrolled in at least one online course increased for the ninth straight year, according to the Babson Survey Research Group's annual survey of more than 2,500 colleges and universities—including both nonprofit and for-profit institutions (Allen & Seaman, 2011). Over 6.7 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2011 term, an increase of over 6.1 million in 2010.

With increased enrollment in online programs comes a greater need for strategies to retain and progress successful students. Student retention is a complex and multifaceted problem with no single issue as a key component (Jeffreys, 2007). Retention strategies in online education have been attempted in many formats, but there are few empirical studies of effective retention methods. Despite the lack of empirical studies of retention strategies in online education, there is general consensus on effective practices. Hill (2017) outlined a set of commonly implemented strategies:

• 1.

  An “Early Alert” Program: A student receives an email from the instructor if s/he has not responded during the first few weeks of the course.

• 2.

  An Online Tutoring Program: Providing tutors, both phone and online, is presumed to increase student success.

• 3.

  More Tutoring: Provide tutoring above and beyond online tutoring, such as offering a distance learning success course.

• 4.

  Student Success Course: Provide a student orientation or a student success course that teaches learning skills to help students understand how to learn online.

• 5.

  Learning Communities: Have a cohort-type system whereby a group of cohorts move through a program together.

• 6.

  Peer Tutoring: Implement a system whereby students who are ahead of new students and who are successful in their programs tutor new students.

• 7.

  Introduction to Distance Learning: Provide a tutorial on online communication, such as how to use a discussion board.

• 8.

  Metrics: Measure course completion rates and persistence rates several times per year.

• 9.

  Focus on Individual Courses: Identify the courses that are most and least successful.

• 10.

  Read the Research: Keep apprised of empirical support for online retention.

• 11.

  Involve Faculty: As the key service providers, involve the faculty in assessment and planning.