By Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D.
You started well. You made it through the first assignment, the quizzes, mid-term, and you posted discussion topics. Now you’re out of steam and you can’t seem to force yourself to even log in to the college’s learning management system. What do you do? How do you motivate yourself?
Retention issues are probably the number one concern for colleges and universities with eLearning programs. In the past, they’ve excused their abysmal retention rates by pointing to the improvement over old correspondence course completion rates, that hovered at 18% and their students’ lives and lifestyles. “They’re busy, working adults” went the refrain, and, while that is undoubtedly true, the fact is that busy, working adults are usually the most motivated and desirous of completing a degree program. The rewards are tangible.
So, what goes wrong? What are the behind-the-scenes issues that colleges and institutions are not seeing? If you’re in a program with issues, how can you rearrange your schedule, your life, or your perspective to reignite that spark and start making progress?
Getting Behind.
This is probably the first reason for dropping out. Develop a schedule for yourself and follow it. If the course has a late policy or blocks access after the deadline, the policies may be too harsh.
Feeling Isolated.
Statistically speaking, the most successful groups are cohorts. They encourage each other. Peer pressure works. It is good to send out reminders and to encouraging text message for mobile learning, devices, and study buddies.
Can’t Solve Problems with Access, Library, Course Management.
Frustration with the technology is huge. If a student has a new computer, or the college routinely changes host, access, portal, it upsets students. Sometimes “improvements” should be launched after beta testing.
Can’t Get Course Materials.
Virtual bookstores, online libraries, and other repositories can be challenging to students. They often require a series of unique passwords, as well as various plug-ins, primarily Adobe reader. The pdf files can be huge, and difficult to download, especially using dial-up access.
Fellow Students Not Participating in Discussions, Not Communicating.
Because establishing ties with other students is so important, it is vital to keep lines of communication open and to make sure that posts are being made in a timely manner. If students are waiting until the last minute, or just before the end of the term, it makes it more difficult for others.
Professor - Student Rapport.
Professors and students need to have a good relationship, and professors need to establish a rapport with all students as quickly as possible. Maintaining a good learning environment requires trust. If the professor is unresponsive, or his or her tone in email is harsh or critical, it is very demotivating to the student.
So, all this is well and good, but what do you do when you’re running out of time? You need to get yourself back on track, and fast.
Here are three quick steps to remember for getting back on track and finishing your course.
A S K
Ask your professor for help. Be polite and don’t waste his or her time by making empty promises. Also, ask people in your class for insight, tips, etc. Discussion boards are great, as is e-mail.
Schedule time for yourself. Make sure that the time you are scheduling is sufficient, and that you are matching time with task.
Know what you’re doing. Organize the knowledge you’re supposed to gain. Create mental file cabinets. Learn how you are supposed to work with the knowledge - the tasks you’re supposed to accomplish.
Finally, don’t start the next class until you’ve applied these techniques and have completed the course.
Success engenders success. Keep that in mind, and remind yourself that once you’ve completed one course, you can use those skills to finish others as well. Be sure to congratulate yourself. You’re on your way!
[Listen to the companion podcast at:
http://community.elearners.com/blogs/inside_elearning/attachment/1604.ashx - 4.02 MB]