The UW-Extension and four University of Wisconsin campuses have begun to connect their online students together through a virtual student union.
The virtual union is an online social meeting place that gives students the chance to connect to each other and also talk about non-school-related topics, such as financial aid or child care.
“We were thinking of it as an online cafeteria: a place to go online, meet and exchange ideas,” director of continuing education, outreach and e-learning at the UW-Extension, Crystal Fey, said.
According to Fey, research has shown that similar online unions help students with retention and give students a better online schooling experience. They also help students feel more connected to other students in the classes.
“This gives a point of contact for students and gives the opportunity for all of those topics that are not course specific,” Fey said. “I am hoping that this will help students build community.”
As of now, the virtual union is only being used by those majoring in sustainable management, an online Bachelor’s degree program offered by Parkside, River Falls, Stout, Superior and UW Extension.
The Bachelor of Science in sustainable management degree is an online undergraduate degree completion program.
“We’re hoping there will be some talk that’s particular to the course and so forth and some talk related to sustainability,” Fey said. “But then we were also hoping there will be more organic forms of conversation, such as what it is like to juggle school with family and work.”
Anna Schryver, the Public Relations Representative of UW Extension, said virtual unions should be available to all online students soon.
“We expect the rollout to all UW-System students seeking an online degree to happen by the end of summer,” Schryver said.
Environmental studies professor at River Falls, Eric Sanden, teaches SMGT 115 - Environmental Science and Sustainability for the online program. Sanden was very upbeat about the virtual student union with its ability to connect students.
“As today’s students come to campus already familiar and comfortable with virtual networks, they can easily add the student union to their list of places to go to share information and ideas, or just to socialize,” Sanden said. “Anything that brings students closer together and allows networking in a convenient way is a great benefit.”
Oshkosh junior Bradi Ebben was excited to hear about the benefits of a virtual student union.
“The reason I usually resist taking online courses because I tend to learn better when I am actually in the class and can interact with other students and the teacher,” Ebben said.
“Now I would be able to connect more easily with my classmates without even leaving home.
Be the first to comment on this article!