Student success is central to every university’s mission. However, online learning, despite its distinctive benefits, can present unique challenges for students. We spoke to some key members of the Apollidon Learning team about how universities can provide the necessary guidance, resources, and services to ensure online students’ success. Here are their insights, along with some strategic recommendations to start improving student success at your institution.
Delivering Results From First Contact
A student’s journey begins with their first interaction with the university. Ensuring a smooth, informative, and welcoming experience from the outset, whether students are seeking information or applying to a program, is crucial for setting the tone for their entire academic experience.
John Everett, CEO of Apollidon: I think a [benefit that] would especially delight online students is just offering them great service when they’re registering for class and when they’re deciding what their degree needs to look like. Not dropping the ball. Helping them with the questions they have.
… If you have a high-capability audience—like an engineer or somebody who’s taking a master’s degree, who’s been out in life a little bit—they’ve had the Amazon experience. Suddenly they come to a university, and the university doesn’t get back to them for four weeks. That has such a bad effect, but you can flip it around. The feeling of confidence, of thinking, “These guys know what they’re doing” and “I’m going to have a good experience here”: That’s so important.
Caroline Zampino, Director of Innovation & Engagement: Myself and everyone else on Apollidon’s student outreach and engagement team answers general questions: essentially what you can find on the website, but they’re not sure where to start. We show them where they can get more information. And if it’s something we can’t answer, we refer them to the right person on campus so they’re not jumping around trying to figure it out themselves.
Ann-Louise Everett, COO of Apollidon: You must start with the fundamental student journey process. At Amazon, they care about every single click and universities should too. [You must also] layer in the human who is well trained, who can cater to you and support you and make you feel valued.
Strategic Recommendations:
-Streamline application and registration processes.
-Provide prompt and helpful responses to inquiries.
-Ensure website information is easily accessible and comprehensive.
-Offer personalized support and guidance.
Preparing Students for the Future Workplace
Success in an online program is measured not just by grades and graduation, but also how well students translate their education into a successful career. That begins with what they’re taught and must include embracing the changing realities of the professional landscape.
Ann-Louise: Universities need to be providing curriculum that’s modern and relevant to current careers. [Technological shifts], like the impact of AI on all careers, need to be accounted for. If I were taking a degree program right now, it would need to address the impact of changing technology in my field of study and how to prepare for that. If I’m getting a teaching degree, how do I help implement virtual reality in my programs for my elementary students? How do I support them studying remotely?
John: Attached to that is teaching students who are online how they’re going to be operating in the world going forward. On campus, you get into a class, and you’re talking face to face with people. Online, you don’t have that opportunity. So you must learn how to run projects, how to work together, how to do all those things that you do in teams, [but] online.
Ann-Louise: Future-proofing. Teach some basic skills like adapting to change. I think humans in general have a hard time with that. And you’re not going to survive the next decade, the next century, without totally embracing change. I’m not even talking about accepting it. I’m talking about embracing it.
Strategic Recommendations:
–Regularly update curricula to reflect current industry trends.
-Incorporate technological skills relevant to your field of study.
-Teach online collaboration and project management skills.
-Emphasize adaptability in coursework.
Prioritizing Mental Health Support
Rapid change and the unique challenges of online learning can contribute to increased anxiety among students. In fact, organizations like the NEA and APA refer to the state of college student mental health as a “crisis.” Addressing these mental health concerns is crucial for ensuring student success.
Ann-Louise: Each generation that I work with feels like they’re more anxious. The world is changing so rapidly that you can’t even see what your career is going to look like two years from now. So how do you learn to manage yourself such that you are able to adapt and not be anxious? It needs to be integrated in existing education, [through] foundational classes in social health or societal health.
John: A lot of schools are getting better at building their capacity to react to someone who has a mental health issue. But maybe [more should be] starting out at the front saying, “Here are some of the things that you’re going to encounter as you’re going through your degree program.” I think it would be a good idea for on-campus as well, but online for sure.
Strategic Recommendations:
-Integrate mental health education into existing coursework.
-Provide proactive mental health resources and support services.
-Offer workshops on stress management and coping strategies.
-Train faculty to recognize and respond to signs of student distress.
Providing a More Satisfying University Experience
While online students may miss out on some campus experiences, universities can still cultivate a sense of community and pride that boosts student satisfaction.
John: Online students really desire to feel like they’re part of the university. And I think that’s something that most online programs are not very good at doing. So how do you make me feel like I’m part of it? How do you get me excited about the sports program or events? How do you include me to make me feel, when I get my degree, that I’m proud that I went there? I think that would attract more students because you get more word of mouth that way.
Strategic Recommendations:
-Create virtual events and networking opportunities for online students.
-Develop an online student community platform or forum.
-Share campus news and updates regularly with online students.
-Offer ways for online students to participate in university traditions.
Apollidon Learning can help your institution address these and other challenges to supporting student success in online programs. Contact us for a tailored consultation.
Sources:
https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/mental-health-crisis-college-campuses
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/10/mental-health-campus-care