Navigating Virtual Learning Environments: Support for Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Online learning continues to be an integral part of higher education. Since COVID, students clamored for more online learning and institutions of higher education are answering the call. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2023), 61% of undergraduate students were enrolled in at least one online course in 2021. The study begins by detailing the structure of the online course and how that structure contributes to student success. Instructional design, student engagement, accessibility, and support services are some of the building blocks of effective online learning (Clark, R. C., & Mayer, R. E. (2023). The second part describes the support provided to students throughout two semesters in the form of planning for success, organizing materials and assignments, and managing time by pacing asynchronous learning and due dates. With online learning comes a need for support to meet the needs of students in a variety of different situations with different learning styles. Student support is the lynchpin of student success. This support should come in the form of online tutoring sessions/advising, online resources, and guidelines for navigating virtual learning environments effectively. Even with a strong instructional structure, some students require additional assistance and support (Gullo, D., 2022). The study concludes with data about the success of the students enrolled in the course and a variety of support strategies that attendees can apply to their own online courses.

Presenters

Tina Selvaggi
Associate Professor, Literacy Department and Field/Student Teacher Coordinator, Early Middle Grades Department, College of Education, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Social Realities

KEYWORDS

Undergraduate, Online Learners, Asynchronous Modules, Synchronous Instruction, Student Success, Instructional Design, Student Engagement, Accessibility