The best way I have found to help students feel welcome in orientation is through giving real life examples of what they will learn and how they will be able to apply the same to thier carreers.
Impressive!
I have learned from you.
The plan I have after giving out the textbooks is divide the class into groups of 4 and each group gets a chapter to review in say 10 minutes and present to the entire class.
The buddy system sound practical, do you have any expectations to share?
Your organizing the materials for the students is impressive. How do you help the "pack rat" by week three? As they have all their classes papers mixed together.
Nice thoughts to get the students through the first day and WANT to come back for more!
Thank you,
Bennett
We always have a welcome event the first day of class where we serve the students pastries and coffee or hot chocolate throughout the first day to welcome them to school. We have faculty stand at the lobby with the refreshments and welcome students and have a chance to get to know them, talk to them, answer any questions, etc.
I like to make sure that students are comfortable within the surroundings of the school. Asking questions to get feedback from them always works with me.
Having students introduce themselves on the first day and briefly tell why they have enrolled and where they are planing on going after the graduate, helps students to realize there on apirations.
Breaking students into small groups to discuss forseeable challenges with there attendance and discuss possible solutions will also lend to good retention practices.
I am nota first week instructor in my school.But given a circumstance,I would include a small part of the orientation daily throughout the week. This I think will reinforce their connectivity to the school, and will be helpful to the late commers.
In addition to the first week orientation activities that involve academics, we try to involve the students in team building activities that get them to know their fellow students. This helps to form a sense of comaraderie which tends to last through their stay at the College.
We want to make the students confortable with their decision to attend the College. We share experiences. The instructor talk about hie experiences. At the end of the class the instructor is available to discuss with the students. If a student is late or no show, we call him to see what happen and see if we can help to solve a problem.
I like the idea suggested of small group lunches (brown bag) and food absolutely works. I think that one major and important addition would be to bring in alumni to address the students during the first week.
Larry--
If you have a program that lends itself to doing this, absolutely! Providing them with the opportunity to see the 'real thing' is always a great idea.
Susan
Kathy--
Absolutely! Do you use any activities that are especially effective?
Susan
I think taking them outside showing them and explaining their task at hand would help to get them more excited than staying inside the classroom.
All orientations should include activities that get the new students involved via playing games and serving food. This relaxes the student and makes them feel welcome and ready to start their new journey.
Reinforcing important topics and what is expected of them. Also reinforce what they can expect from us. I also think the concrete things such as their badges, books, assigments, etc. also help.
We have conducted scavenger hunts with prizes. Students end up going to each department including the Learning Center and Library. Students get a review of where things are located and build a sense of community with their classmates.
Get them excited about the program!
Manuel--
The opportunity for informal discussions regarding issues and suggestions is always effective.
Susan
Have meetings with students that involve food or snacks and use this time for a verbal survey of issues that students are having.
I like to take some time and just get them to talk. I will introduce myself and give some history and then startgetting them to do the same. I am very animated and it usually works very well. My program is very regimented so there is not a lot of time for the lunch and cookie thing, but food does win their hearts, hands down! It has been my experience in getting them to talk eases a lot of tension and apprehension very quickly.
Ralph--
It sounds like the more opportunities you can provide for them to build relationships with each other, the more successful they will be. The lab work helps to break some of those barriers.
Susan
