Instruction in a 100% online environment is lonely work. Couple the online environment with remote instruction and the result, while not blatantly obvious to the outside observer, contributes to faculty attrition, burnout, and sub-par performance. Even prior to the pandemic, which exacerbated these concerns, faculty burnout and isolation has increased [1]. Additionally, student – faculty relationships in an online course are brutally difficult to establish, compared to those in a face-to-face setting, compounding the effect on faculty performance and mental fortitude. Finally, the administration fails to recognize or address the impact this is having on the culture of the department, which contributes to faculty attrition, burnout, loneliness, and reduced effort [2]. This paper presents the author’s perspective on the root causes of loneliness in a 100% online graduate program in a midwestern rural state university and offers insight into combating loneliness.

Author: Kevin L. Splichal

Published in: Ireland International Conference on Education (IICE-2024)

• Date of Conference: 28-30 October, 2024
• DOI: 10.20533/IICE.2024.10.0026
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-73-0
• Conference Location: Dún Laoghaire, Ireland