Investigating Students' Sense of Connectedness in an Online Ed.D. Program

• In Event: Considerations in Distance Learning

Abstract

Online students often report feeling isolated and alone. The literature suggests that developing things such as social presence, collaboration, connectedness, and community can help address these feelings of isolation and in turn address high attrition and help students persist in their online programs. There is very little literature, though, on how these things--and specifically a sense of connectedness and community--are valued by, developed, and help students in fully online doctoral programs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate students’ sense of connectedness in a fully online doctoral program to fill this gap in the literature and in turn identify implications for further research and practice on the sense of connectedness in online courses and programs.

Authors

• Patrick R. Lowenthal, Boise State University

• Lida J. Uribe-Flórez, Boise State University

• Jesus Trespalacios, Boise State University

• Ross A. Perkins, Boise State University

• Chareen L. Snelson, Boise State University