How can you use technology to improve student retention and graduation rates?

1 Provide online support services

One way to use technology to improve student retention and graduation rates is to provide online support services that are accessible, convenient, and personalized. Online support services can include academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, counseling, career guidance, financial aid, and disability services. These services can help students navigate their academic journey, address their learning needs, overcome their challenges, and plan their future. Online support services can also reduce the cost and time barriers that some students face when accessing campus-based services.

3 Foster digital literacy and skills

A third way to use technology to improve student retention and graduation rates is to foster digital literacy and skills among students. Digital literacy and skills are essential competencies for the 21st century that enable students to access, evaluate, create, and communicate information using various digital tools and platforms. Technology can foster digital literacy and skills by exposing students to diverse and authentic digital resources, tasks, and contexts. Technology can also help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills that are transferable to other domains and settings.

4 Offer flexible and adaptive learning options

A fourth way to use technology to improve student retention and graduation rates is to offer flexible and adaptive learning options that cater to different student preferences, needs, and goals. Technology can offer flexible and adaptive learning options by allowing students to choose their own pace, place, time, and mode of learning. Technology can also help students personalize their learning paths, goals, and strategies based on their prior knowledge, interests, and feedback. Technology can also provide students with adaptive learning systems that adjust the difficulty and content of the instruction according to their performance and progress.

5 Increase student sense of belonging

A fifth way to use technology to improve student retention and graduation rates is to increase student sense of belonging to the institution, the program, and the community. Student sense of belonging is a psychological factor that affects student retention, persistence, and well-being. Technology can increase student sense of belonging by creating online spaces and activities that foster social presence, trust, rapport, and identity. Technology can also help students connect with other students, instructors, and alumni who share similar backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations. Technology can also help students access and participate in the culture, values, and mission of the institution.

6 Track and analyze student data

A sixth way to use technology to improve student retention and graduation rates is to track and analyze student data that can inform decision-making and intervention. Student data can include demographic, behavioral, academic, and attitudinal information that can reveal patterns, trends, and gaps in student performance, engagement, and satisfaction. Technology can track and analyze student data by using various tools and methods, such as learning analytics, dashboards, surveys, and feedback systems. Technology can also help stakeholders use student data to identify at-risk students, design effective interventions, evaluate the impact of interventions, and improve the quality of education.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?