TOPcast: The Teaching Online Podcast

Episode 191: Student Retention Through Online Learning

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Hosts Tom and Kelvin consider the role well-designed online learning can play in institutional efforts to increase student retention. 

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Episode 191 Show Notes:
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Coffee Links 
  • “Buckle Down” Coffee Blend from 8th & Roast Coffee Company, Nashville, TN
  • “Est. 1927 by Marigold” at the Speed Art Museum
    • Content Links
    • Info and Question Contribution: “Last Call at the TOPcast Cafe” Plenary Panel (OLC Accelerate 2025) 
    • [Book] The SAGE Handbook of Online Higher Education (Wa-Mbaleka, Thompson, and Casmiro, Eds., 2024)
    • [Research Study] “A Cross-Institutional Study of Instructional Characteristics and Student Outcomes: Are Quality Indicators of Online Courses Able to Predict Student Success?” (Joosten, Cusatis, and Harness, 2019)
    • [Article] “Retention in Online Courses: Exploring Issues and Solutions—A Literature Review” (Bawa, 2016)
    • [Framework] TILT = Transparency in Learning and Teaching (Winkelmes, 2009-2025)
    • [Book] Teaching Naked (Bowen, 2012 – not to be confused with TILT above)
    •  [LinkedIn Post(s)] “Five years from now, the primary job of an instructional designer won’t be instructional design.”
    • [Book] How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen (Brooks, 2023)
    • [Book] The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters (Parker, 2020)
    • Past TOPcast Episodes Springboarding from the SAGE Handbook and Its Chapters
      • #171: “The ‘North Star’ of Online Learners’ Needs” (Refs Ch. 5)
      • #163: “The Online Syllabus: ‘A Welcome Mat for the Course’” (Refs Ch. 18)
      • #161: “Taste the Rainbow of Online Ed’s Possible Futures” (Refs Ch. 50)
      • #155: “High-Quality Online Discussions — Here’s How.” (Refs Ch. 27)
      • #150: “A Global, Holistic, 360 Degree Perspective on Online Higher Education” (Introduces SAGE Handbook)
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          TOPcast: The Teaching Online PodcastBy Thomas Cavanagh & Kelvin Thompson
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