Implementing an Online Student Orientation Program and Support Services for Online Graduate Students
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Many online students return from the workforce after several years away from school. Without the advantage of face-to-face interactions with their classmates and instructors and lacking proximity to on-campus support services and personnel, online graduate students can often feel confused and isolated (Berry, 2019). This lack of support could lead to lower student satisfaction, reduced academic scores, and higher attrition rates. An online orientation course is one possible approach to help online students cope with these challenges. Properly implemented, an online student orientation (OSO) program could provide the knowledge, support, and social interaction needed to give new online graduate students a solid starting foundation for success.