Preparing and supporting online students

Online learning offers flexibility and the convenience of learning anywhere, anytime, and at a chosen pace, but it can also bring about challenges, including non-engagement, distractions, and a perceived sense of isolation. While many educators focus on finding effective ways to teach their subject-related content online, developing students as effective online learners is often neglected or left to students’ own motivation. Recognizing that no two learners are the same, we need to provide students with tools and prepare them to better understand the way they learn and support them in working towards becoming more effective online learners. This chapter will share ways to prepare the student community and individual students for learning and support for students who may not be engaged and those that are at risk.