Table 1

Sources of Entropy and Negentropy in Online Education

Source of EntropyNegentropic Action

Adviser relationship

  • Formal nature of interactions

  • Lack of in-person connections

  • Perception of differing treatment among online and resident students

  • Regular informal interactions

  • Shared work experiences

  • On-campus or conference meetups where possible

  • Congruent goals for online and in-residence students

Teaching experience

  • No teaching assistantships

  • Limited access to teacher development, feedback, and assessment

  • Online teaching opportunities

  • Local teaching opportunities

  • Use of online media to train other educators

Research experience

  • No research assistantships

  • Limited access to on-campus research programs or funding

  • Targeted research opportunities with professor and remote colleagues

  • Remote participation in grant-writing activities

Service opportunities

  • Limited access to on-campus committees, organizations, or leadership opportunities

  • Virtual participation on committees and organizations

  • Journal editing roles

  • Opportunities for local impact

Peer and faculty networking

  • Removed from on-campus networks

  • Intentional outreach

  • Virtual meetups before/after class

  • On-campus or conference meetups

  • Joint research projects

External networking

  • Limited access to networks, information, and travel funds

  • Maximizing conference opportunities

  • Volunteer roles with national associations

  • Using online schedule to create space for networking

Home life

  • Distraction and disorder from multiple work and/or family commitments

  • Managing time commitments

  • Asking loved ones for support and feedback on work

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