When you design an online course, keep in mind that many students are balancing work, school, family, and unexpected life events. You can make intentional choices in your course design and facilitation that build in flexibility and support student success. Year over year , Risepoint’s Voice of the Online Learner findings show that students often struggle to persist due to unforeseen life events, competing commitments, cost, and mental health challenges.
Use the tips below to help your students stay on track and succeed, even when challenges arise.
Provide flexibility and support
Life happens and sometimes it throws a wrench in students’ best-laid plans. Whether it’s a family emergency or an unexpected work commitment, being flexible can make all the difference in helping students stay enrolled and engaged.
Set up automated alerts for students with low login activity. With AI, you can create pre-drafted emails for different scenarios like when students haven’t logged in recently, missed assignments, or have low participation. This combination of automated data tracking and pre-written emails saves you time and ensures students receive timely support.
Consider allowing a grace period for assignments or offering flexible deadlines when appropriate. This small adjustment can ease stress during tough times and keep students from falling behind. Prepare an extension policy and provide students with the forms they’ll need to make time-sensitive issues easy to communicate.
Check out our Contingency planning guide for steps on building and communicating your grace period and extension policy.
Support work-life-school balance
Many online students are balancing full-time jobs with their coursework. You can support their success by helping them plan ahead and manage their time effectively.
Consider spacing out major assignments so students have time to manage competing priorities. This can reduce stress and improve the quality of their work. For instance, avoid placing multiple high-stakes deadlines in the same week.
It can be helpful to establish a predictable grading and response routine. This gives students a clearer sense of when they will receive feedback and support. You might share that grading will be completed within five days and messages answered within 24 hours.
Students benefit from understanding how much time they should expect to spend each week. Clear estimates can help them plan their schedules more effectively. You could include approximate time ranges for readings, discussions, and assignments in your course materials.
Want to create a quick document for your students? Check out the Student time management planning worksheet.
Consider financial barriers
For many students, the cost of education can be a significant hurdle. You can help reduce financial strain by making thoughtful choices about course materials and communication.
Consider using Open Educational Resources or other low-cost options when possible. This can significantly reduce the overall cost of the course for students. You might explore Risepoint resources to help identify suitable materials.
It is helpful to clearly communicate any required purchases at the start of the course. This allows students to plan and avoid financial surprises. Try to limit additional costs that arise after the course begins.
Students may not always be aware of available financial support. Sharing information about scholarships, financial aid, or emergency funds can make a difference. You could include these resources in a course announcement or syllabus section.
Promote student well-being
Students often balance multiple responsibilities, which can impact their well-being, but you can create a course environment that helps students feel supported and connected.
Consider including links to counseling, mental health services, and other campus resources in your syllabus and announcements. This makes it easier for students to find help when they need it. A quick reminder during the term can also encourage students to use these services.
Your consistent presence can help students feel more supported. Regular participation in discussions and timely responses to questions can reduce feelings of isolation. You might also send brief check-in messages or words of encouragement throughout the course.
Students benefit from opportunities to connect with one another. Structured discussions, peer review activities, or optional study groups can help build a sense of community. These connections can provide both academic and personal support.
It can be helpful to watch for changes in participation or performance. Reaching out early shows students that you notice and care about their progress. A simple message can open the door for support and re-engagement.
Want to know more about setting up support for mental health in your course and in your check ins? Check out our Supporting student mental health page.
Designing your online course with empathy and flexibility can help students navigate life’s unforeseen events and unending commitments. By understanding their challenges and proactively addressing potential barriers, you create a learning environment where students feel supported, understood, and capable of succeeding, even when the going gets tough.
