The statistics are brutal. In typical MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), dropout rates can exceed 90%. Even in paid cohort courses, average attendance drops by 70% between Week 1 and Week 3.
Why Week 3? Because Week 1 is fueled by excitement ("I'm going to learn code!"), and Week 2 is sustained by momentum. But by Week 3, the reality of "self-paced learning" sets in: it's lonely, it's passive, and no one notices if you skip a day.
The Anatomy of a Drop-Off
*Typical engagement curve for non-interactive online courses
3 Reasons Students Ghost You
Passive Consumption
Watching hours of video isn't learning; it's Netflix with quizzes. Passive content is easy to skip and easier to forget.
The Loneliness Loop
Learning is social. Without peer pressure or camaraderie ("Are you going to class tonight?"), motivation relies solely on willpower.
The Feedback Void
Submitting an assignment and waiting 5 days for a grade feels like shouting into a void. Students crave instant validation.
How to Break the Wall
Turn Grading into a Game
Vacademy's automated evaluation gives feedback in seconds. This creates a "looped" experience where students want to try again immediately to improve their score.
Pocket-Sized Accountability
With Vacademy's mobile app, students get push notifications, peer chat, and live session reminders. Learning moves from "Scheduled Desktop Time" to "Anytime Engagement."
Keep Your Students Hooked
Stop watching your retention graph flatline. Switch to a platform built for active engagement.