Belonging to Succeed: Creating Community in the Online Classroom
How can instructors & institutions promote belonging among online students to advance their success?
Sense of belonging has long been linked to retention and other key student success metrics. Yet developing a sense of community can prove especially challenging for online students, whose ranks are growing across higher education. How can instructors and institutions promote belonging, engagement and involvement among online students in ways that advance their success? This crucial discussion will draw on research, case studies and expert insights.
Additional resources:
- “Strategy Shift: Institutions Respond to Sustained Online Demand” (2024 CHLOE 9 Report)
- “Report on the Condition of Education 2024” (National Center for Education Statistics)
- “Online College Students Report 2024” (Education Dynamics)
- “A Sense of Belonging in Online Post-Traditional Students: What Matters?” (Online Learning Journal)
- “Measuring and Promoting Thriving in College” (Inside Higher Ed)
- Transparency in Learning and Teaching Project
- Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations
Further resources on student success:
- Student Success US 2025 (Annual joint event in partnership with Times Higher Education)
