I let the student sit in the classroom for a few minutes.
Great idea! Let us know how this works for you and your school.
Dr. Jean Norris
Thanks for sharing your experience. What types of reaction do you typically get from students after they sit in a class for a few minutes?
Dr. Jean Norris
I do need to put together a short video of what is taught and former student success stories.
That is a great idea. We utilize this method at my school and it goes great. It helps the student feel how a typical classroom environment works at the school and gives a good vine to the place in general.
Instructor and student introductions are a great practice during a campus tour. Generally speaking, both the tour and conversations with staff or faculty during the tour provide the opportunity for the prospective student to feel more comfortable with their decision to attend school. How do you customize your tours, Tu?
Dr. Jean Norris
We have small classroom so they can meet the students and instructor and discus with them to get more info, share experience...Make them feel more confident of what they enroll.
Have them tell what was the most memorable part of the tour today? How do youself comming to these classes everyday? What didnt you like about the tour? and ask them to be honest and that can be a way of making the next tour better.
Great observations Andriana. Let us know how your new tour tips work out for you!
I feel the same way. Having more interaction in the tour will make the students feel more welcomed and especially if the faculty and staff are introduced the student will feel more welcomed!
In reviewing what I learned in this module about the purpose of tour I definitely need to make some changes such as giving more of an explanation of why the classrooms or labs are not occupied and also give the student's an opportunity to envision themselves at the school and make them feel extremely welcomed. Also I think that including a current student in a tour can help the newcomer feel more welcomed and comfortable.
You bring up an interesting point and something that can be a challenge, the other people in your organization. How does your department work with the others to ensure that the tour experience will be positive for your students?
You have to be enthusiastic and ensure that everyone on your team is also enthusiastic and friendly. Prospective students need to be able to see themselves there so it is important to make them feel at ease.
That is a very interesting idea! Great way to engage student and get them to visualize their future goals.
I would take the time to personalize the tour and show them things that are above and beyond the normal walk through. If dorms show them and introduce them to not only staff but students even grounds people. Show them that there experience is going to be a great one. Not just an ordinary one.
Allow the student to lead the lead the tour by asking questions and then showing them to the next location that was important to them.
I think its a good idea to encourage the student to watch a video be fore the tour. Before the tour put together a personalized folder with document that cover attributes of the school. Have a nice little welcome sign or display with the students name on it to get the student excited about the tour.
My students are online, so I have to give them a tour in their imagination. I have to help them understand what they will be doing in their classes.
Introducing the student to faculty members on the initial tour will also provide familiarity on the first day of class, which can be huge for a nervous student. Try to reach out to professors or other staff members who are more caring and warm, who would remember a student's name when they eventually see them again in class or the halls.
Spending time in the classroom, especially if a class is in session,is a great way to help the prospective student envision what it will be like to be a student at your school. What do your prospective students usually say after they have spent a few minutes sitting in on a class?
