Book Review: Motivating and Retaining Online Students: Research-Based Strategies That Work by Lehman, R. M., & Conceiḉão, S. C. O.

Abstract

Lehman, R. M., & Conceicao, S. C. O. (2014). Motivating and Retaining Students: Research-Based Strategies That Work. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 142 pp. ISBN 978-1-118-53170-9 (paperback) motivation and retention are important aspects of most educational institutions today. Although these issues are prevalent in traditional brick-and-mortar university settings, online institutions are seeking new avenues for motivating and retaining as well. In Motivating and Retaining Students: Research-Based Strategies Boat Work, Rosemary M. Lehman and Simone C. O. Conceicao (2014) present the findings from extensive research on these issues. Based on students' perception of situations in online classes that motivate them, the authors propose multiple suggestions for designing online courses motivate and, thereby, retain online students. According Lehman and Conceicao (2014), in the Preface, the main purpose of the book is to assist instructors when designing, teaching, and supporting the online experience of students (p. xii). The authors suggest that the findings and recommendations may serve new and seasoned instructors, instructional designers, and administrative consultants when planning and developing online courses. The book has five chapters, progressing from the necessity of developing methods for retaining providing examples for readers. Chapters comprise Concerns and Opportunities for Retention (Chapter 1), Design Strategies for Retaining (Chapter 2), Student Strategies for Staying Motivated Online (Chapter 3), Support Strategies for Helping Students Persist (Chapter 4), and Pulling the Strategies Together (Chapter 5). Each chapter provides insights that may be beneficial those involved in online education. Chapter 1 addresses the ebbs and flows that many online higher education institutions face in student retention. This chapter's extensive literature review provides basis for the authors' concerns about student retention. Lehman and Conceicao (2014) also use the literature develop the study's platform that served as pathway writing the book. Chapter 2 proposes concept of intentional design when developing online courses. Lehman and Conceicao (2014) define intentional design as a method that involves purposeful actions and takes into consideration the online learning environment, the teaching process, and learner characteristics (p. …