Persistent low completion rates remain a significant challenge in online post-secondary programs, compelling educators to explore and address the factors that affect student persistence. Research by Ortagus, Hughes, and Allchin, 2024 suggests that online students may face varied outcomes in completion rates, inviting a deeper understanding of supportive educational practices. At the same time, a comprehensive study by Shaikh and Asif , 2022 finds that social connectedness plays a key role in online student persistence, emphasizing the importance of fostering a sense of belonging, shared goals and norms, and online communities. Drawing on these insights, this paper proposes actionable tactics for educators to strengthen social connectedness in online classrooms, aiming to enhance student persistence and completion rates. Through these strategies, this inquiry contributes to the broader discussion on overcoming challenges in online learning environments and offers promising pathways for improving student outcomes.
Luther et al. (Tue,) studied this question.