What about online institutions?
Having students in various cities throughout the country and abroad, would it be best to have an orientation that is synchronous or asynchronous? All of our courses are asynchronous, but I wonder if orientation should be different, so as to develop more of a sense of community & to answer questions that many students may have (simultaneously).
Karen--
Many people think that online students don't 'connect', but I have found that they are really interested in building virtual relationships with the institution and each other. Times are a changin'...and we need to create ways for people to interact and build connections virtually--something that is pretty foreign to most long-term educators.
Susan
I think having a couple of options / times for a synchronous orientation works best..that gives students some options and gets a mix of students...sometimes they may 'meet' others that they can become 'friends' with as they go through school together.
Joel--
That sounds awesome! My experience with online learners is they are pretty resourceful once they understand how 'virtual' resources are organized. They like the 'real time' ability to acess the information required and are very likely to interact via email, chat or phone calls much more than the 'on ground' student.
Susan
I am at an online institution as well. Our typical orientations are not live but lead the new online learner through where they may locate all resources once in their course. They are encouraged to communicate with their advisor(s) if they have questions and are followed up with. Further we have also done pre-enrollment live orientations to show our prospective students a live interractive version of the online classroom format. All the steps together create a network of resources that our students have given great positive feedback on! :)
Right! Students, whether virtually or in person, appreciate the personal interaction. In some ways, the online students receive more of this provided the systems and people are in place. Sounds like you have a great process for interacting with your students.
Susan
I was so excited to see this posting since I am at an online school. I would agree with the comments made: as long as you are interacting and its engaging, the students are connected. Well stated!!
Hi, Steve!
I agree, interaction is the key whether it is virtual or 'live'. The more engaged you make people in the process, the more connected they become.
Susan
How do you mean? It would be my opinion that if you are having a good flow of information and activity with the new students in both directions you will have better results. I look at all group interactions as a teaching environment. I try to make sure the participants are engaged in all interactions including meetings and discussions. There is nothing worse the going somewhere to listen to someone talk and talk (even if it is something interesting or that I need to know). If you are making your orientation interactive with the participants I bet you are getting good results.
