How does the institution build a sense of belonging and identification with the program or school?
Community building. This is an area that schools may neglect more than other learner support services. How does the institution build a sense of belonging and identification with the program or school? Faculty and the school should consider services such as a cyber cafe either in or outside the CMS program (some CMSs have a community tab or feature separate from a course) or a blog that students can use to interact outside of the course. Faculty might also consider a regular newsletter or podcast that highlights an event, student, or opportunity. What about a webinar on an issue of concern to healthcare or nursing that is open to students in the program? What about an online student government community? There are other community-building options, but these must engage the students and help them identify with their online learning community.