on line orientation
I like an idea of having on line orientation. It's hard for everyone to come out for certain time for orientation purpose. usually attendance for physical orientation is never been 100%. student who miss the orientation, they can still able to go on website and obtain all information.It would be win- win situation for students and Institute.
Philip--
Outstanding! 82% participation, especially for online, is a fantastic accomplishment! What did you do to get that rate?
Susan
We just wrapped up our online orientation. Had an 82% participation Rate. Im working hard to get marketing involved in the promotion of the event. Right now it is being handled by the Dean of Student Services and I doont think she has the right aptitude from a marketing perspective. We'll see - shooting for 100% next cycle.
Scott--
I certainly don't disagree that face-to-face is absolutely ideal. Unfortunately, not everyone can do that and in the case of online schools, it's literal impossible.
So the real question is how might we make an online orientation--where face-to-face isn't possible--a highly effective format.
Like you...I haven't seen one yet, but wouldn't it be nice to be the one to figure that out!
Susan
Susan,
I agree with Ken on this one. Having many years of designing and implementing online applications for various types of clients, I have seen many of the pitfalls of removing the "Face to Face". An online review of the oreintation would be a vaulable student resource, but will never take the place of seeing your admissions rep, meeting and hearing the campus President, Education Director, Education Managers, Finacial Aid Director and fellow students. The reinforcement of credibilty this process offers is undeniable.
Kenneth--
I somewhat agree with you. Your analogy is a good one (I just did this on an update this morning). However, I don't think the modality (online or in-person) guarantees that the student is retaining or processing the information. It has to be engaging and interactive regardless of the format.
Susan
When you install a piece of software on your computer you have to “accept†the terms of use. When was the last time you actually read those? An online orientation would be viewed as a formality that has to be completed and it would be “clicked through†as quickly as possible. If all you are interested in is setting up legal responsibilities it might be fine but it would not accomplish anything towards orientation or retention. In fact it would probably work against retention.
Tami--
Great tactic of incorporating it...that way it also addresses the student who enroll later.
The online option might be interesting to try for the 'policy' material and then build the face-to-face session on a more personal platform of getting to know each other, key resources and faculty.
Susan
I agree that an online orientation might be something that could be used. But I also agree that the face to face would be much better. That way, not only do they get to meet the staff/faculty but also the other students.
Our orientation currently takes approx. 2 hrs so we have incorporated it with their first class so that they are not making a special trip to the school just for orientation. That way all of the students attend.
David--
Unfortunately, that is a common problem. The materials are out there available, and even some type of 'verification' doesn't ensure they've actually read them (but it is helpful).
Some institutions also have a 'webinar' of sorts for new students where they can actually call in and interact via a phone bridge while also seeing the materials. This might be a good supplement.
Susan
Being from the "online" field this is all we have and it has its drawbacks which become evident during the first week of the class when students ask various questions that were addressed in the orientation material. I would like to see a simple quiz (acknowledgement of items covered in orientation) to reinforce the learning step.
This is an excellent idea which should be offered as an alternative. We have never tried this, but I will suggest this possibility.
Kamini--
An online orientation is a helpful resource for students--both those who cannot attend and as a reminder. Obviously, a face-to-face is the best.
Susan
