Connecting with At-Risk Students

We have discussed the importance of instructor presence in the past. Today we will discuss having a more personal connection with students. There are many ways to connect with students on a personal level such as with a One-On-One Meeting, another way is to reach out to students individually.

It would be impractical to monitor and reach out to each student regularly throughout the semester, but there are some students who really need this more personalized attention. These are the students who are at-risk of failing your course.

These students can be identified very early in the semester. They very typically are the ones who either missed the first week's assignment or submitted it late. They may have even sent you an email explaining why they missed their assignment or what emergencies occurred that week.

This is an opportunity for us as instructors to make a human connection. One very common example is when a student has missed a deadline and then explains all the things that happened to prevent them from completing the assignment. Understanding that "life happens" I always thank the student for reaching out and determine what course of action to take depending on the circumstances (I will discuss some options in future blog posts this month).

However, an additional strategy I have started using is to ask the student to make an appointment with me to discuss future high-stake assignments and planning for them.

If students miss deadlines for small, low-stake assignments like discussion board activities, the likelihood that they will miss a high-stake assignment, such as a paper, may also be high. In order to prevent this, I like to individually reach out to these "at-risk" students to help them learn how to navigate the course more effectively, manage their time and better understand course objectives.

By walking them through assignment guidelines, or giving them the opportunity to ask questions they may feel less intimidated and less frustrated.

Students' reaction to this request is usually very welcoming. Struggling students are usually looking for assistance, especially from the course instructor. While I don't usually waive the consequences of missing an assignment (students will still lose points for not doing their work), the point of this strategy is to minimize future occurrences.

What are some things you do to help at-risk students in your online courses?  Be sure to share your ideas in The Online Educator Facebook Group by clicking the link HERE. Also, as a treat don’t forget to GRAB YOUR FREE GUIDE to the 3 Secrets to Teaching Online Successfully.