Engaging students in an online environment can be challenging for students who are prepared. Unprepared students present an entirely different challenge for both faculty and students. Getting ahead of this can help keep momentum going in your class. 

In the Faculty Focus article “Supporting Underprepared Students in the Online Classroom” by Drs. Lisa Borrero and Amanda Jayne Miller we learn that some common student challenges can be mitigated through student support systems.
 
Some of the most common challenges include:

  • Ghosting, students that disappear entirely or don’t reach out when performing poorly
  • Students who attempt to negotiate everything including due dates
  • Last-minute Charlies that don’t plan ahead
  • Students that encounter emergencies after the deadline has passed
  • Free riders, those that ride on the wings of another student’s work
 
Below are a few ways to help support these students:

  • Ignite Early Interest - For those students that have trouble engaging find ways to ignite their interest early on to keep them engaged throughout the course.
  • Assign a Leader – Assigning roles throughout the course can help to keep under-prepared students prepared. These roles help define the overall workload and help to keep them on track.
  • Evaluate Mid-Term – Make sure to let students know how they are doing throughout the term. This can help them understand how their unpreparedness will affect their overall grade and can help them turn around.
  • Help students feel connected – Establish group and individual check-ins with students to ensure that they are staying engaged and don’t feel isolated in the online environment.
  • Address writing challenges early on by referring students to GSC's free online and on-campus tutoring services. Access these resources online at the Granite State College Student Support Online Resource Page
  • Keep it relevant – Students will perform better if they know how the work they are doing will contribute to their overall life. Keeping the material relevant to their circumstances helps keep them engaged throughout the term.
 
I nterested in learning more? Access the above article online at https://s16815.pcdn.co/articles/online-education/supporting-underprepared-students-online/ .

Have suggestions or strategies that have worked well in similar situations? We would love to hear them. Click here to share!

Thank you for all that you do for our students!

- The Office of Academic Affairs at Granite State College