Synchronous Learning as a Compliment to Online Learning and its First-Year Impact on Student Pass Rate, Next Course Progression, and Satisfaction

Online universities aim to support students' persistence, particularly in the first year, which is often challenging. Utilizing live or synchronous short sessions as a supplement can significantly impact student success by ensuring essential skills are taught and integrated. This mixed-methods study explored the influence of live and recorded sessions on pass rates, next course progression, and satisfaction levels. The results revealed a significant difference in pass rates and course progression between students attending live sessions and those watching recordings. While recorded sessions show promise, students who attended live sessions demonstrated better outcomes. Both groups, however, outperformed counterparts who did not participate in any live or recorded sessions. Despite technical challenges and time constraints, students appreciated the individualized guidance provided during live sessions.