I agree but many of us must be pro active when it involves changing the Institution's Programs.
I am beginning a new year; I will again attempt to encourage our faculty supervisors to allow faculty to access student orientation.
Albert,
We all have different orientation situations. Whatever the situation, try to be involved to make sure your students are getting the information they need. Or provide the person(s) doing the orientation what they need to provide information about your course.
I have taught courses where students are provided an orientation by us, the faculty, but the orientation is part of the evaluation and grades for the student.
In my current institution the orientation is provided by admission and advisers. I can predict if a student was engaged in the student orientation by their interaction with me and with the pages in the class room.
Finally, in my current position, my course is often the second or third course taken by many students. Since I do not have knowledge of a student's transcript, I make sure that new students do not fall through the cracks and that they are comfortable with the class room navigation. Frustration with the technical side can creates difficult students.
Donna,
Many times interruptions can simply be addressed by asking. What do you need? Can you see this? Is the technology working for you? etc. Thanks for your input.
Albert,
I do the student orientation for my own course. We do not have an overall online orientation.
My first line of investigation is to inquire what is going on with the student and ask if there is anything I can do to assist them. If the posting is abusive or critical, I remove the posting, then email the student so that I can entertain them in a dialogue regarding the post. Students need to know why something is inappropriate. They may be use to the type of interaction that they are posting, and don't know what they are doing that is not appropriate. Just because there are Netiquette guidelines doesn't mean that the student understands those without examples.
At your institution are the faculty allowed or permitted to have access to the student orientation?
At my traditional institution student orientation is attended by faculty. I have never seen or reviewed the student orientation at my online institution
Albert,
Yes, proactive is best. It is best to understand what the students have completed, if orientations are available, prior to your course. Thanks for your input.
I have found that it is in the best interest of online faculty to be fully aware of the training that new students receive.
Some orientation programs for new students could have gaps in practical knowledge. I urge everyone to be pro active and fill in the gaps where needed for your class room.
Albert,
Excellent. You have a system in place that seems to work. Nice job.
I am not allowed to delete any post made by any student for any reason.
A student post can be deleted only by the Dean for gross offenses.
When I encounter a truly abrasive student, I use my army... my supervisor, the adviser, the Dean. I need the student to realize that the entire community is upset. Then I contact the victims individually, if I can identify them, to prevent the issue from escalating.
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Amaris,
I have deleted their discussion board postings (if that is where they may have come across abrasive) and privately emailed them with a copy of what they posted and an explanation of why it was not professional. I have also called students if necessary.
