Student Loneliness and the Online Classroom 

Loneliness is a growing problem among Americans as a whole, including college students. Roughly 33% of us report feeling lonely, which boosts our risk of a host of mental and physical health problems. From diabetes and heart disease to depression and anxiety, loneliness threatens our well-being in countless ways. 

While residential college students are surrounded by social opportunities, many of them stay primarily in their dorm rooms, spending hours on social media or video games. Online college students are often even more isolated. They may live with family or roommates, but many of them juggle multiple responsibilities and find limited free time to make new friends or explore new hobbies.

Your institution’s online programs empower these students to grow professionally and academically. But what, if anything, can instructors and administrators do to help lonely online students? By making some strategic choices, we can help foster students’ social well-being, even within a digital environment. Our list of a few dos and don’ts can provide a starting point.

Do foster real connections with peers and instructors

Discussion boards are far from monolithic; some discussion boards promote lively exchanges while others feel sterile and empty. Of course, it’s ultimately up to students to participate meaningfully in discussions. However, they’re much more likely to play ball when the discussion prompt is engaging and multifaceted. Instructors’ participation in discussions can also do a lot to enliven them. And they’re not limited to traditional discussion formats – students can also peer review each other’s projects, participate in group work, break off into collaborative cohorts and study groups, contribute to shared digital whiteboards, and much more. Many of these design options are possible within a standard LMS.

Don’t assume all student obstacles stem from a specific condition

Many online students have diagnosable conditions like depression, anxiety, or autism spectrum disorders. However, everyday stress can also produce symptoms that mirror more lasting conditions. Instructors and administrators should avoid medicalizing students’ challenges without evidence. Just like residential students, online students get stressed, overwhelmed, tired, and sad. This isn’t clear from their faces or body language in asynchronous online settings, of course. But student writing – in private messages or formal assignments – may display signs of stress that call for a compassionate response.

Do encourage students’ social connections beyond the online classroom

It’s unrealistic to expect online social interactions to meet students’ social needs as much as in-person interactions. Online instructors can set their students up for success by turning their focus towards their local communities, their broader professional communities, and their existing networks of family and friends. They might design assignments to include interviews or collaborative experiences, offer extra credit for attending course-related events, or mentor students’ professional connections. The term “loneliness” can include a sense of existential aimlessness; online instructors can help by guiding students’ eyes to the prize of their selected career goals.

Do expect online instructors to create a culture of care

Online instructors are often as busy as their students, but moments of personal connection don’t have to be time-consuming. A warm, personalized comment on a student’s assignment, an email to check in on a student who missed a beat, or an announcement that invites student questions can all build a supportive atmosphere. Small touches like an instructor profile with a smiling headshot can contribute to a sense of community with real humans.

Don’t blur the lines between instructors and therapists

There’s a fine line between a caring instructor and an unqualified therapist. Just like residential instructors, those who work with online students should be trained in best practices for handling behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenges. An instructor can form a needed bridge between a struggling, lonely student and a school or community resource. However, instructors need a clear decision tree guiding their choices to report and/or refer students who face significant challenges.

Magellan Learning Solutions: Your community-building partners

At Magellan, we understand the challenges online students face as they navigate our current loneliness epidemic. As your partners in online program success, we offer consulting, training, auditing, coaching and other services that promote student well-being and program retention. Reach out today for a free consultation, and let’s get started!