Motivating and Retaining Online Students - (Jossey-Bass Guides to Online Teaching and Learning) by Rosemary M Lehman & Simone C O Conceição

About the Book

Finally, the first research-based book of sound strategies and best practices to help instructors motivate students to complete their online courses. Although studies support the effectiveness of learning online, students often fail to complete online courses. Some studies have found that as many as 50-70% drop out of their online courses or programs. Retention is not only a growing expectation and imperative, but it is also as opportunity for faculty members to take the lead in innovating, researching, and implementing new strategies while demonstrating their effectiveness. Designed for instructors and instructional designers, "Motivating and Retaining Online Students" is filled with empirical research from the authors' study of motivation and retention strategies that can reduce online learner dropout. Focusing on the most important issues instructors face, such as course design; student engagement and motivation; and institutional, instructional, and informal student support strategies, the book provides effective online strategies that help minimize student dropout, increase student retention, and support student learning. While helping to improve the overall retention rates for educational institutions, the strategies outlined in the book also allow for student diversity and individual learner differences. Lehman and Conceicao's proven model gives instructors an effective approach to help students persist in online courses and succeed as learners. --

Book Synopsis

Finally, the first research-based book of sound strategies and best practices to help instructors motivate students to complete their online courses.

Although studies support the effectiveness of learning online, students often fail to complete online courses. Some studies have found that as many as 50-70% drop out of their online courses or programs. Retention is not only a growing expectation and imperative, but it is also as opportunity for faculty members to take the lead in innovating, researching, and implementing new strategies while demonstrating their effectiveness.

Designed for instructors and instructional designers, Motivating and Retaining Online Students is filled with empirical research from the authors' study of motivation and retention strategies that can reduce online learner dropout. Focusing on the most important issues instructors face, such as course design; student engagement and motivation; and institutional, instructional, and informal student support strategies, the book provides effective online strategies that help minimize student dropout, increase student retention, and support student learning.

While helping to improve the overall retention rates for educational institutions, the strategies outlined in the book also allow for student diversity and individual learner differences. Lehman and Conceição's proven model gives instructors an effective approach to help students persist in online courses and succeed as learners.

From the Back Cover

Motivating and Retaining Online Students

Motivating and Retaining Online Students offers a guide to help instructors increase the motivation of online students and thereby improve the overall retention rates for educational institutions. Based on a study from online education experts Rosemary M. Lehman and Simone C.O. Conceição, the book focuses on the most important issues such as course design, student engagement and motivation, and student support strategies.

Helping minimize student dropout, increase student retention, and support student learning management, the strategies outlined in the book allow for student diversity and individual learner differences. Lehman and Conceição's proven model gives instructors an effective approach to help students persist in online courses and succeed as learners.

"Motivating and Retaining Online Students is a must-read for faculty who want to move beyond simply providing students access to education and training to ensuring student success in online learning."
--Chère Campbell Gibson, professor emerita, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"This is a 'must-have' primer for addressing the challenges of getting online students to be active learners and keeping them engaged once you have their attention. Once again, these authors have created a valuable resource that is filled with useful instructional innovations for the beginner as well as the experienced instructor."
--J. Ana Donaldson, past president, Association for Educational Communication and Technology, and online educator and learning consultant

"Effectively providing online teaching and learning is one of the most significant challenges facing 21st Century higher education faculty members. From novices to seasoned veterans, this book provides substantive insights that can assist online faculty members to become more effective online instructors."
--Larry G. Martin, professor and chair, Department of Administrative Leadership, University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee

About the Author

Rosemary M. Lehman worked with University of Wisconsin--Extension for more than 20 years and is now an author, online instructor, and partner in eInterface. Simone C. O. Conceição is a professor in the School of Education, Department of Administrative Leadership, at University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

They are the authors of Managing Online Instructor Workload and Creating a Sense of Presence in Online Teaching both from Jossey-Bass.