Students who participate in collaborative learning activities outside the classroom tend to get better grades, are more satisfied with their education and are more likely to graduate. This online curriculum encourages a sense of belonging at 4-year institutions for underrepresented students, and build connections with other students and faculty/staff.
Many students arrive at college for the first time psychologically unprepared to tackle and navigate campus (Swail, 2004). It takes time for students to get used to being on their own and adjusting to living campus life. The National Study Survey of Engagement (NSSE) suggest that students who are involved in educational programs and activities outside of the classroom increase their probability of staying in school (NSSE, 2006). In addition, students who participate in collaborative learning and education activities outside the classroom and interact with faculty members tend to get better grades, are more satisfied with their education and are more likely to remain in college (Wasley, 2006). The online curriculum we will discuss is an attempt to encourage a sense of belonging at 4-year institutions for underrepresented students, as well as build connections between minority students and faculty/staff. This online curriculum will encourage college retention and completion among the students who participate. The curriculum outlined is based on the Freedom School curriculum, Bandura’s idea of Self-Efficacy, Tinto’s model and Bourdieu’s idea of Social Capital Theory.
Once this curriculum is implemented, this online course will span across the term, depending on whether the institution is using terms or semesters will dictate the length of the course, however the content will not change.
At the end of 2-3 years, research will be conducted to see if this course has impacted student retention. This quantitative data will be compared against the existing retention and graduation rates already existing for this population of students.
During this session, we will brainstorm the benefits of limitations of this curriculum as well as ideas translate this curriculum in fully online programs to increase retention of underrepresented students.
Participants will leave this session with knowledge of how and why underrepresented students struggle as well as ways to use online courses as ways to combat those struggles.