1. The Virtual Vines Of Community
How to Develop Virtual Learning Communities
to Enhance Online Student Retention
Dr. Amber Artiaga
Western Governors University
NACADA International Conference
Dublin, Ireland
ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts

2. “Community is much more than belonging to something; its about doing something together that makes belonging matter.” Brian Solis

3. Overview “Adulting” for the Online Student.
Online Student Engagement, Why it Matters.
The Online Student Retention Paradox.
Mitigating the “Distance” in Distance Education.
Tools of Engagement.
Student Retention and the Tie That Binds.

4. “Adulting” for the Online Student
Non-Traditional/ Post-Traditional Student Characteristics
Entry to College delayed by at least 1 year
Have dependents
Employed full time
Financially Independent
Attend part-time
Motivated by career advancement
Maintain multiple roles
Flexibility is a must

5. Online Student Engagement, Why it Matters
Student Retention matters more
now than ever.
An engaged student, is a retained
student.
Advising key to enhancing the overall
educational experience.

6. The Online Student Retention Paradox
STUDENT NEED
RISK EXPOSURE
Flexibility
Students are at increased risk of drop
out due to competing demands
on time and money.
Extensive Academic Support
Students that have had an extended
absence from formal academic work may be underprepared for the rigor of their
academic program.
Career Advancement
Current employment responsibilities can
become barriers to the
students ability to further develop
themselves for new or level-up career
positions.
Self-Directed Programs
Self-directed programs can lead to
feelings of isolation and attrition of
motivation.

7. Mitigating the “Distance” in Distance Education.

8. Tools of Engagement

9. Yammer.com Included in Microsoft Office 365 Enterprise Account
Social Media Platform
Advisor lead study groups/
office hours
Informal student-to-student
collaboration space.
House documents, photos, videos, GIFs
Mobile app feature
Chat forums
Create Polls, Praise, Announcements
Upload Files
Case Study:
Learning Lounge
Career Cafe

11. Microsoft Teams Included in Microsoft Office 365 Enterprise Account
Advisor lead study groups/ announcements.
Informal student-to-student
collaboration space.
House documents, photos, videos, GIFs
Mobile app feature
Chat forums
Upload files
Presence Notification
Create meetings
Audio & Video call and conferencing
ability using over VOIP
Aligns with outlook calendar

12. Microsoft Teams

13. ZOOM.us FREE Plan Video Conferencing Application
Host up to 100 participants
Unlimited 1 on 1 meetings
40 minute limit on group meetings
Unlimited number of meetings
Online Support

15. Screencast-o-matic.com
Free Plan
Record Screen and/or Webcam
Record Window or Full screen
Zoom in while recording
Edit Recordings
Caption
Save to Desktop
Publish to YouTube

16. Screencast-O-Matic

17. Timetrade.com
$4/month / User
Online Appointment Scheduling
Seamless Calendar Integration
with Outlook
Appointment Routing

19. Doodle.com
Free Plan
Easy meeting scheduler
Custom domain available

21. *Bonus tool “Dear Future Self…”
Lettertomyfutureself.net
Free!
Students can create self-motivation messages.
1 week
1 month
3 months
6 months
9 months
1 year
2 , 3 , 5 or 10 years in the future

23. Student Retention and the Tie that Binds
Student to Student
Student to Instructor
Student to Institution
Student to Goals

24. “Access without support is not opportunity.” - Vincent Tinto

25. Questions?

26. Contact Information
Dr. Amber Artiaga Program Mentor, College of Business Western Governors University Office| x 6363 Mobile|