In order to
succeed, distance learners need to feel that they are not isolated, either from your
institution or from their instructors and other learners.
Institutions’ experience and research demonstrate that students’
retention, completion, and satisfaction depend heavily on achieving a sense of connection
with the institution. The quality of an
online student’s experience is based on much more than the instructional content of
courses and degree programs. Recognizing this, many instructors of online and distributed
courses establish regular means for faculty and students to communicate with one another
on topics beyond the course material. It is
also helpful to establish a sense of connection between the student and the institution
itself.
This need for a
sense of community is obviously stronger for some students than for others—whether
they are on campus or many miles away—but student-centered institutions are finding
ways to create community for those who seek it. There
are a variety of ways to provide this sense of connection.
Developing
a Sense of Community--Some Examples:
Develop
a student government for distance learners. (Washington
State University)
Develop a newsletter for distance students. (Santa Fe Community College) (Note: this college is in Florida and thus was not a survey respondent; however, it was the best example identified of a newsletter produced specifically for off-campus students.)
Use your Web site for special announcements and to highlight chat rooms of potential interest to off-campus learners. (Washington State University)
Establish
a virtual community through a MOO. (network-accessible, multi-participant,
virtual reality) (Dakota State University)