Empowering Success: Online Coaching for Adult Learners

Nancy Byron, Assistant Dean, Graduate School, Georgia State University

Educators and experts have recently recognized noncognitive academic coaching as a promising intervention to enhance student academic performance and persistence. Unlike traditional advising or tutoring, this approach delves deep into motivation, goal setting, time management, and self-regulated learning. Online coaching, especially for fully online adult learners managing a multitude of responsibilities alongside their education, can enhance academic performance, persistence, and overall success.

Universities offer noncognitive academic coaching under a variety of names such as student success coaching or life coaching but all entail the use of a trained academic coach coupled with technology to offer holistic support aimed at enhancing students’ academic success and overall well-being. Online coaching programs incorporate a variety of technologies to support virtual interactions with the students from specialized advising systems to virtual meeting platforms, email and text. Coaching sessions are personalized and help students identify their strengths while uncovering and addressing obstacles that may be hindering their progress. They should empower students by guiding them to objectively assess barriers, set achievable goals, foster positive routines, improve time management, boost self-esteem, create effective study habits, actively participate in classes, balance academic and other competing priorities, build relationships with professors and peers, and effectively utilize college resources.

For colleges venturing into academic coaching programs or reevaluating existing ones, several critical considerations should be taken into account as you move forward:

Tailored Support: Online coaching provides personalized guidance based on individual needs, strengths, and challenges. This targeted support is especially valuable in the online learning environment, where students might lack face-to-face interactions with instructors and peers.

Skill Development: Noncognitive coaching focuses on cultivating essential skills such as motivation, time management, goal-setting, and self-regulated learning. These skills are crucial for academic success in any setting but are particularly important for online students who need to manage their own schedules and stay self-disciplined.

Holistic Approach: Online coaching takes a holistic approach by considering not only academic needs but also the unique circumstances and responsibilities of adult learners. This helps create a more balanced and manageable approach to education.

Transition Support: Many adult learners return to education after a significant gap, which can lead to challenges in adapting to the learning environment. Online coaching can offer support during these transition periods, helping students acclimate to new ways of learning and studying.

Resource Connection: Online coaches can connect students to vital resources, both academic and non-academic, to ensure they have the necessary tools and support to succeed. This can include access to online libraries, study materials, mental health resources, and more.

Retention and Completion: Research indicates that online coaching positively impacts retention and completion rates. This is crucial, as retaining students and helping them successfully complete their programs contribute to both individual student success and institutional effectiveness.

Cost-Effectiveness and Long-Term Benefits: A 2014 study by Bettinger and Baker suggests that student coaching is more cost-effective than other interventions such as student financial aid. The impact of online coaching can extend beyond academic success. By fostering skills like time management, motivation, and self-regulation, students are better prepared for future professional and personal endeavors. The long-lasting effects and impact on completion rates further enhance personalized coaching’s cost-effectiveness.

Measuring Success: Success in the context of online coaching can be measured through various metrics, such as retention rates, completion rates, improvement in academic performance, student satisfaction and engagement, and the development of noncognitive skills.

Online coaching tailored to the unique needs of adult learners in the online education space can be immensely valuable in improving students’ long-term academic success and overall educational experience. The positive effects on retention, completion, and skill development, combined with its cost-effectiveness, make online coaching a promising approach to supporting online students in their journey toward personal and professional growth through higher education.

 

 

 

 

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