I have the same issue with getting students to attend the optional office hours at our school.  Instructors must post available times and students may sign up to have an online meeting with the instructor to discuss questions about course material or anything else.  It is supposed to mimic an open door to the instructor during their down time in a traditional campus.  Seldom times the extremely diligent students will show up, the ones who are struggling do not.  The only time we have had large numbers attend these type of sessions is when we provide some structure as to… >>>

Perhaps after observing this several times you could summarize the key points that these students are missing and need to know in order to move forward with the current material.  You could create and post a prerequisite knowlede page.  That way students could read this at the beginning of the program and brush up on items they are fuzzy on.  You could include some appropriate resources or links to good resource sources.

Alternatively or in addition to that you could speak to the admissions people at your institution about what level is really required to be successful.

Your question has… >>>

Coco, I wonder if what you observe has to do with conditioning from childhood related to how we are expected to act in a traditional classroom.  In the online environment students are likely encouraged to be more self guided and to participate more.  Another factor could be that online education appeals more to independant learners.