Strategies for success in online learning for non-traditional students

Online learning has become a central mode of delivery in higher education worldwide, offering new opportunities for non-traditional students such as working professionals, caregivers, and mature-age learners. However, in developing countries such as Uganda, online education faces significant challenges, including limited digital infrastructure, high data costs, and inadequate institutional policies. While previous research has examined online learning, little is known about how instructors in Ugandan higher education institutions adapt their strategies to support non-traditional students. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring the instructional and institutional practices that enable student persistence in resource-constrained environments. Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 online instructors from 12 institutions between January and March 2025. Data were transcribed, coded, and analysed thematically, revealing six interrelated themes: flexibility, institutional support services, community building and engagement, balancing multiple roles, perceptions of success, and institutional policies and practices. Findings highlight the importance of flexibility, including extended deadlines, asynchronous learning, and mobile-friendly materials, given students’ competing responsibilities and technological barriers. Instructors emphasised the critical role of support services, particularly digital literacy guidance and mental health counselling. They stressed the value of informal engagement strategies, such as WhatsApp study groups and personal check-ins, for fostering a sense of belonging. Notably, instructors defined success holistically, focusing on persistence, skill acquisition, and workplace application rather than solely degree completion. The study concludes that institutional policies must be reformed to address digital inequities, support informal engagement, and recognise diverse definitions of success. Recommendations include affordable internet initiatives, community-based learning hubs, and context-sensitive student support systems.