3 Ways LMS Improves Your Student Retention

Discover how implementing a learning management system can improve student retention rates in your institution.

One of the great takeaways from the COVID pandemic's online learning experience was the value of remote learning. Seemingly overnight, traditional classrooms shifted from brick-and-mortar buildings to Zoom meetings and Google classrooms.

Higher education in the post-pandemic landscape looks different than it did in the fall of 2019, and a new trend has emerged. Some students are not returning to campus—in fact, more than one million students have opted to skip college^[1]. At the same time, online universities that previously attracted working adults have seen an uptick in the number of students enrolling right out of high school^[2].

A greater number of students are choosing remote education over the campus experience. Remote learning has even crept into the college lecture hall, as schools such as Northwestern University allow professors to teach up to 10% of their in-person classes online^[3].

Classes may be back in session, both online and in-person, but persistence and retention rates have yet to bounce back to their pre-pandemic numbers^[4]. This is especially true at four-year public universities, and it raises concerns for higher education leaders who want to keep enrollment numbers up.

Successful remote learning requires a quality learning management system. More than a platform for online classrooms, an LMS can be a valuable tool for leaders of higher education institutions seeking to improve student retention rates.

Here's how you can fully leverage an LMS—either the one you're already using or one you're interested in—can help.

What is a learning management system (LMS)?

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application used to create, deliver, and monitor courses^[5]. Schools may use an LMS as a platform for online and remote learning or as a supplement for face-to-face instruction.

Within the LMS, professors and students can communicate with each other, review materials, upload assignments, and have access to course resources like the syllabus, class texts, and announcements.

COVID didn't just prove that remote learning is possible. It created an opportunity for students and teachers to learn what does and does not engage students. For example, synchronous online lectures tend to be more effective than pre-recorded sessions students view on their own, and students should find relevance in the work they're doing.

How does LMS help improve student retention?

One year into the pandemic, the number of students returning to college campuses for their sophomore year dropped to levels not seen since 2012^[6]. Some needed a break to care for their mental health. Others chose to be closer to family. Many were unable to return because they lost financial resources during the pandemic.

When you understand why students are leaving, you understand the support they need. Through the LMS, you can provide support students need, monitor engagement, and identify students at the greatest risk of dropping out.

1. Course navigation tools simplify the user experience

Not knowing where to find resources is a top source of frustration for students. Professors have a great deal of autonomy in their classrooms and decide everything from how to deliver lessons to accepting late work.

Complete autonomy over the structure of online classes doesn't work as well. Instead, colleges and universities should develop a structure with consistent navigation features. According to Gartner, students should know exactly where to look to find basic course materials, how to contact faculty, and how to upload their assignments^[7].

2. Course materials libraries keep students on track

Disengaged students are at risk of failing. In a face-to-face classroom, disengaged students ask fewer questions, forget to submit assignments, and skip class. In an online classroom, disengaged students may have fewer in-course hours than their peers.

Fortunately, the amount of time students spend on the online platform and the pages they view while there can help you identify who's at risk of failing or dropping out. Take advantage of features like syllabus creation and authoring tools that increase interactivity and engagement in the course.

3. Digital grade books track student performance

Students who fail classes are at risk of dropping out and not returning to school. The gradebook feature within the LMS is a valuable tool for identifying and preventing students at risk of failing. Students can use it to track their performance, and faculty can monitor student progress quickly and easily.

The gradebook also gives faculty and support staff a glimpse at who is falling behind and may need additional support. At the first signs of struggle—perhaps a series of missed assignments or a noticeable dip in grades—teachers can intervene. With the right interventions, these students may be able to catch up and complete the course satisfactorily.

Ready for the next steps? Check out these additional LMS features

What the LMS brings to the table can transform the online classroom experience into an environment where students can learn. Factors like price, security, and an ease of integration heavily influence the platform you choose, but it's also important to think about how the system's additional features affect its usability and student engagement.

Here are a few more features to consider and leverage when choosing an LMS.

Gamification

Learners of all ages want to feel successful and enjoy seeing physical evidence of their accomplishments. That's where gamification comes in. Gamification features in an LMS include everything from public leaderboards to encourage competition to built-in awards and achievement notifications.

Personal and group challenges can create an incentive to study or complete work on time. When students meet specific learning milestones or outperform their peers, the LMS can provide immediate feedback to celebrate the achievement and track their progress.

In-course feedback

In a face-to-face classroom, students receive immediate feedback from teachers and peers as they engage in discussion and ask and answer questions. The LMS should provide similar opportunities through in-course feedback. Ratings and comments available for assignments and discussion boards give them a chance to reflect on their learning and correct misinformation.

In-course feedback also includes opportunities for students to provide valuable insight for the teacher when it's time to design the next course. This can include direct comments about what worked and didn't work in an assignment as well as forms for students to complete and submit online.

Mobile capabilities

In a perfect world, all students have access to the same devices and internet service. Some schools even go so far as to provide students with loaner devices they can lease until they graduate. However, many students use whatever devices they have access to, which include smartphones and tablets.

For this reason, look for an LMS with a responsive design or native mobile apps that students can access from any device. A mobile app may be more practical for students using data to connect to the internet since apps tend to require less data usage.

Students aren't the only ones who benefit from this feature. Faculty may also appreciate the ability to review and assess student work on a tablet or phone, so they can work in an environment where they feel most comfortable.