Increase Online Graduate Retention Through a Structured Community of Practice: a Case Study
Author: Barbara Yalof, EdD & Barry Chametzky, PhD.
Abstract: The educational needs of online students are different from traditional learners and not always addressed adequately by the host college or university. Such inadequacies cause some students to be at high risk for dropping out. Drop-out rates from online programs approach 70%. In this case study, the researchers discuss a Community of Practice (CoP) created to support online doctoral students with the goal of increasing retention, supporting collaboration, community, and developing identity consolidation as an online learner. The instructors in the CoP were a quiet presence and drew on different strategies to increase engagement and group metacognition, as well as to buffer against damaging deficiencies in learner support.