A Framework for Fostering Emerging Online Learner Persistence: The Role of Asynchronous and Synchronous Discussions

Undergraduate students living on-campus and taking online and face-to-face courses concurrently, are the predominant consumer of online classes (Seaman et al., 2018). However, they have lower rates of persistence for online courses as compared to face-to-face courses (Hart, 2012; Xu & Jaggars, 2011). Part of the reason could be due to the mismatch between the types of interactions they prefer and what is being provided in online courses. The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the use of asynchronous and synchronous discussions as a way to address the needs of emerging online learners. Using elements of previously developed frameworks, I propose the Framework for Emerging Online Learner Persistence (FEOLP). This framework addresses the values and needs of emerging online learners through course design that has the potential to enhance social presence using student values to determine the blend of asynchronous and synchronous interactions. Given the limited research to draw from on how to design online courses, this framework and the recommendations from this article provide a starting point for the responsive design of online courses for the emerging online learner with potential application to other groups of distinct online learners.