I think this type of situation will occur no matter if it is online or face-to-face. The first thing I would do is the check the school policy in regard of academic concern or advising if the student is at risk/failing.
I think that there are different approach to solve this problem. We could only make so much assumption about why the student has not respond to the offers to help. However, the instructor should try all different methods or attempts as well as letting the student adviser or Dean in regard of the student progress and your concern.
I would completely disagree with this idea. I would argue that reaching out to a student via email is only step one. There are a variety of ways that the online instructor can reach out to the student, by email, phone call and or reaching out to their counselor or advisor. If a student wishes to drop the course, I am usually not satisfied with them simply disappearing unless I hear it directly from them. This is one of the challenges with the online world. The student can disappear into the Internet without so much as a word. It is incumbent upon me to find as many ways as possible to find this student to see how I can best help them. If they are continuing to submit assignments, I can offer as much feedback as possible so that they know I am here to help. If they just disappear, however, I think reaching out to them via email is just a first step.
Scott
I disagree that there is "very little more you can do". While an online instructor does not have the ability to be in close physical proximity to his/her students, this does not mean that a student who does not respond to offers of help is beyond our assistance. In addition to placing phone calls and sending emails to the student in an attempt to speak with them and assess their situation to try and assist them, online instructors can also use these opportunities to reach out to faculty managers and/or student services to make them aware of the issue in an effort to gain help for the student. This is not much different than the instructor in a traditional classroom environment who has a student on his/her roster who has never shown for class. In both situations, the instructors' efforts may not result in a student response, but the overall ability to attempt to assist a student remains largely the same for both traditional and online instructors.
I disagree to the extent that a personal email of concern has been sent and copied to the student's advisor. Frequently I invite the student to call me or to be open to my calling them. Their education is an important commitment for them and generally their families.
I've had numerous situations where a phone conversation can help with the situation. Life has many challenges that can derail a student from their education. But how often has this possibly prevented them from pursuing their degree in the first place.
I have also had conferences with the student's advisor to develop a collaborative plan and to gather a more complete understanding of the student's situation.
There are some ways. At out institution we have initiated an At-Risk program, where the instructors are encouraged to text and call non-participating students. If you can get them on the phone, this can be a more effective way to communicate with them, and find out what are the reasons behind their non participation. It is not 100%, but I'd estimate that it helps bring about 30% of the non-participating students into the discussions and submitting assignments.
I do not fully agree with this statement unless communications is no longer available with that student, but I am assuming that it is not the case here. If I can’t reach the student via any of the tools available to me, I can get the students’ advisor involved, and have the advisor mediate the communication. I am sure that students’ advisors can be of good help of getting such communications started.
I do not fully agree with this statement unless communications is no longer available with that student, but I am assuming that it is not the case here. Part of my responsibility as an online instructor is to “suitably†challenge, engage, and communicate with students to encourage their participation and learning as well as have a mutual value and respect. That’s why I would not give up, and if I can’t reach the student via any of the tools available to me, I can get the students’ advisor involved, and have the advisor mediate the communication. I am sure that students’ advisors can be of good help of getting such communications started.
Zak Saleh
Mary,
It certainly sounds like a good idea to me. I agree that it is important to continue to encourage the students to participate and engage them in the learning. Open-ended questions, direct e-mails to the students, personal phone calls or requests to skype or otherwise personally connect with the students help them understand that you care about them and their success.
Herbert Brown III
If an online student does not respond to my offer to help, I think it is important as an instructor to continue to encourage the student. When I respond to student's discussion board questions, I always end the post with a question. No matter if the student never answers my question, I always ask it. I hope this is a way to encourage the student.
I disagree to this statement. As a distance learning facilitator, I am required to face student issues every day and do my best to offer the best advice and follow through with the student until their issue has been resolved. If the student is unresponsive, I reach out to their student advisor in an effort to get clarity and resolution on the situation. 8/10 times this collaborative effort proves to be positive in getting the student to respond and resolve their issue.
Diane,
That is true, most software applications can help control this process and ensure it is linear. Should education be linear and lock-step? Do you believe there are other designs or have you taught using other designs - were they successful?
Herbert Brown III
I disagree....there are technical ways to structure the course so that the student may not proceed to the next activity until he or she completes what is required of them.
Disagree. When and if a student declines extra assistance or help, as an instructor it is our job to ensure that students are getting the most out of their education. Instead of waiting for students to call, instructors can call weekly to touch base.
When a student stops participating in the classroom the first thing that I do is send an email in order to provide an outreach to see if I can help with an assignment or if something is going on that is preventing the student from participating. Some students will respond while others will not. If the student does not respond then depending upon the school's policy I will attempt to call the student keeping in mind the FERPA laws. If I still cannot connect with the student then the school has a process of escalating the situation to student advisors that work specifically on student retention.
I consider my attempts to contact the student as the first step towards trying to reconnect the student and then turn it over to the school who has more information on how to contact the missing student. As an instructor I never want to give up on a student, but also realize that there are things that happen that can be overwhelming and prevent the student from continuing the class, although I have had students who have lost family members, their home and other tragedies but still managed to finish the class.
Sabrina,
All are great methods to connect with the students. It is all about communication and persistence.
Herbert Brown III
There is much an Online Instructor can do to assist a student who does not respond via email or phone regarding their coursework. During the first day of class, I send several emails to students’ regarding assignment instructions and tutoring assistance from me and additional educational resources. I inform students that I am their first line of contact when they do not understand their coursework. I provide weekly assignment feedback. I send weekly emails to students regarding missing assignments and weekly course grades below 70%. I post an announcement requesting students' to schedule a one-on-one phone appointment with me to discuss the weekly course content. Students' are likely to follow-up by email opposed of contacting me by phone or returning my call. If a student does not follow-up with me within a certain time frame, I will ask an advisor to reach out to the student and ask student to contact me.
Sabrina S.
I do believe that there is a point when an instructor must discontinue outreach to an unresponsive student.
As an instructor, there are several creative means by which to engage the student including and ways to communicate and to reach out to offer assitance. However, when a student fails to respond, there really is nothing the instructor can do. Every student must be held accountable to their own success and this is especially true the policies and guidelines of the course were stressed from the beginning of the class.
Andrew,
I don't believe we should stop trying to help them improve either. Finding creative ways to connect with them can be challenging, but when you do finally reach them, it is rewarding for both the student and instructor.
Herbert Brown III
While this certainly might make things more difficult, it doesn't mean there is nothing else you can do to help the student. Maybe this student isn't the only student struggling in a particular area, and other students might also benefit to some sort of blanket statement about the problem topic. Another way you might be able to give the student unsolicited help is through feedback on assignments. Knowing that this student doesn't want one on one help, you might be a little more specific with the feedback you give him/her on their assignments. Sometimes students just don't want to admit that they are struggling or doing something wrong; this doesn't mean that we need to stop trying to help them improve and learn.
Wayne ,
I appreciate that you recognize that spending too much effort on students that have clearly given up at the expense of the rest of the students should be avoided. We shouldn't penalize the students that are making the effort to succeed in the course. The key as you note is to make a best effort to reach these students.
Herbert Brown III
Regrettably, “you simply can’t save ‘em allâ€. My results over a long online experience exhibits about a 25% success rate of reengaging unengaged students. I have received email responses thanking for me for taking a personal interest in the student and encouraging them with offers of assistance with whatever is inhibiting participation, but even of those who respond this way, most still struggle or give up. It often becomes a balance of time spent on unengaged students vs. time spent on those are active in the course and want to learn. Generally, I make two attempts to reach out. If the student does not indicate a desire to engage, I concentrate on those who will benefit from my attention.
