Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Stacey, You are reinforcing the theory from the classroom by making the connection with the equipment in the lab. If your schedule permits this keep it up. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Catherine, I am sure you will have success in bringing your ideas to fruition. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Mary, Your placement and retention probably reflect how well this has worked for your school. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Chana, Orientation is not a single event but a process. An orientation course that starts before the 1st course/term and continues through the course/term would help. Make it mandatory to complete before the second course/term. Also provide a 1st week or 2nd week check in for students to discuss how they are feeling about the experience. Too often students confuse convenient with easy. Online requires discipline. Some students need to develop this in regards to taking an online course. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Catherine, Sounds like a good start and a good plan. Thank you for your post. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Catherine, Yes, these topics are important. They should be integrated into the online environment and each course. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Wilmer, How do you do that? What are the policies and procedures in place to assure it is going on? Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Chana, Yet, you probably have many people that worked at other schools. AND you all were a student once. Plus this course provides some guidance. There should be nothing to keep you from waiting for graduates to refine the admissions process. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Chana, Yes, after all these years many students still equate online classes with easy as opposed to convenient. A vast difference exists. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.

Catherine, Does your online orientation have a discussion forum? I think that would be a "common area" for students, faculty, and staff to discuss orientation related topics. Ron Hansen, Ed. D.