Our Admissions staff does a great job on obtaining information on your student before hand. married, single,goals, why they didn't complete school, family size and support, medical issues and etc. we cheer the students on every chance we get. If you have the heart to do it we can help!
Personal obstacles, IEP/ADA needs and requirements, what they may or may not have completed in the past, at home support systems, work experience/current job/source of income/etc.
Stacey,
I like that you are all working as a team to assist the students. Including the faculty at orientation--at least a representation of the faculty would be a nice addition.
Susan Backofen
Admissions shares their notes about each incoming student with Student Services prior to the start of classes; however, we do not have that information at Orientation...generally because they are still in the process of enrolling students and determining who will truly start. AFter Orientation, Student Services shares this information with faculty. We currently do not have faculty participate at Orientation - but I love the idea. I think it is a great way for students to make their student status a reality and to connect with some support that will be with them for the term.
Any information regarding student interest, hobbies, or potential obstcales the the student may face.
They collect the student's interest. Also they learn information about the student's personal life so that the instructor will have some information to help deal with any problems that might arise.
Manuela,
How wonderful that you put that information to good use!
Susan Backofen
Heather,
Excellent. Do you do any type of activities to assist them in getting to know each other?
Susan Backofen
Names, phone numbers hobies and what do you plan on getting out of this program?
Start each day one with those questions to the students after the teacher has answered those same questions
I am an instructor and would like to answer that question from this side. Admissions shares information with us about students backgrounds, their education, expectations, and fears of students, for example. I gain so much from that information to gear my class towards these backgrounds, to ease the minds of my students from the start.
Our admissions does not share anything with us in regards to new students. We have an orientation 2 weeks prior to the start of a new group where we go over the expectations of our program and introdice the faculty. On the first day of class, we repeat the orientation and then have the students introduce themselves and tell us why they are there, what they hope to accomplish and what their greatest fear is about the program. I also collect everyone's phone number and email information. If everyone is okay with sharing, I then compile a list to hand out at the next class. Our students are toegther for a whole year of diadatics, so I encourage them to be each other's support system.
Jill,
Absolutely! Sounds like a wonderful support system.
Susan Backofen
Our admissions team as well as the other faculty and staff document all interactions with students from the first phone call throughout their school career. This information can be accessed by any of the faculty and staff. It includes things like if they just moved here, are divorced, have kids, etc. That information is helpful in creating a connection within the classroom.
May,
I agree. However, there is information that doesn't violate FERPA that is of great assistance in retention effors.
Susan Backofen
We should not share the students information to the rest of the staff, we should follow rules, and that is one of the admission rules, the students rights and privacy.
The faculty receives a variety of information from Admissions like: student data, level of education, reasons for taking the program. What is lacking but most important to the faculty member is the dedication of the student towards completing the program. What is their motivation: family, finance or personnel.
Many hear the call but few accept the challenge.
Students signed a confidential information document at the time of the admission process, not all of the information is allowed to share with other faculty members, it's hard to get an specific information of a student and work with that in an orientation, the student can feel bad or betrayed and the personnel or the admission rep broke an admission rule, i am not sure about this point.
It is important to know a student's educational level(GED or PhD) and if they have any special needs. This determines classroom structure and teaching method. Past experiences in education are important especially if they have not been successful.
Well, this is a tricky one. Due to FERPA laws, it is difficult to divulge any information unless it is necessary. But, we do have what state they are from on their orientation cards, and I find that is a very good ice breaker for the incoming students. Very often, that piece alone will offer up a much more diverse conversation.
Katie,
I think this is a good practice; to rather 'describe' the entering group in general terms. It helps them realize that they have much in common with their peers.
Susan Backofen
