Improving your orientation programs...
What kind of comprehensive orientation program can be put in place at your school? Or how can your current orientation program be improved to increase student retention?
I find that a long, drawn out orientation may be well intended, but new students are anxious to "get on with it", can't (or don't wish to) listen to organizational methods, and often forget suggestions.
First, I would break up orientation into specific areas of no more that 45 minutes (sound like a class?). Second, I would want student participation, not just lecture (again, sound like a class?) Third, I would give them "homework assignments" that they need to bring to orientation.
This prepares them for classroom requirements, gets them involved, and gives them structure.
I’m an instructor at a technical school where we have different courses of study. A possible improvement to our current orientation program would be to involve department leaders to participate and answer department-specific questions for new students.
Dale,
Absolutely. Knowing where they can find support is important. Even if it is just having someone listen to them.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Ann,
Most importantly encourage them to learn to inform staff and instructors at the school when they face challenges that could impact their learning.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Many of our students have jobs and families, and struggle to balance that part of their life and their school life. This is a large reason that many of our students drop out. They didn't realize what they were getting into, and they were ill-prepared for their transition into the roles of students. It will be beneficial to our orientation program to include a section on time management. We may consider providing them with agendas. Also, we will give them examples of time management activities, including utilizing an agenda or calendar.
Our orientation program should focus more on the changes these students will be making as they transition into their new roles. I especially liked the idea of a list stating what the individual would need to set up a successful quiet study area. Many of our students are adults with families and children, and this would be beneficial to them. This would let students what they need to do early on in the program, so they are less likely to be overwhelmed and drop out.
Our current orientation program (as well as the admission process) can be approved by emphasizing the changes that the students will need to make once they are in school. Many of our students are older adults with children, families, and jobs. We will begin including information, such as lists, of what students should think of before school begins. This will help them begin thinking about the realistic changes to their lives early, and they will, therefore, be less likely to be caught off guard by these changes.
IRIS,
Maybe rehearsed but not dry.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Expounding on the later of the question. My experience with orientation thus far is subtle. Philosophical of your views, orientation should be fun, exciting and genuine. Orientation should not seem or be rehearsed. This cause early retention deficits.
Orientation should be a group effort with all departments involved. Also making sure all faculty are present to make students feel more connected to the school.
Ralph,
Ice breakers work. Also a scavenger hunt where the students have to go find departments and people at the school is a positive activity.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Chase,
Orientation sounds more like an event for finishing paperwork than a chanced for students to make connections before starting their studies?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
We currently have an orientation program in place. The students arrive the week prior to starting the program to receive their information and meet some of the staff they will be interacting with for the next year and a half. We do our best to engage students during this session and try to get as many one on one conversations started as possible while they are waiting to complete required check stations such as uniforms, document signatures, housing, etc.
I would like to see an interactive activity put into play so the students have a chance to meet each other and start the bonding process. Maybe a table activity with some group discussion about a subject and short presentation about the topic chosen.
the orientation at my campus usually takes place on a Saturday in the morning to the afternoon. I think that more advertising would help with students coming to orientation as we usually only have a few students that come to orientation. Maybe a different day or time would work better?
Having potential students sit through a class would provide insight into what they should expect from college courses. Often, students either believe college is like high school or else they fear that they are too old to comprehend the material. Bringing reality to both sets of learners could absolutely improve retention because of offering academic possibilities.
Aurora,
Does this represent a change from a previous orientation day schedule? If so. how has this helped retention?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Maggie,
What do you think has been the best improvement?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I agree with the premise that Orientation is an on-going process. We currently keep orientations, held a couple of days prior to a new term start, short and positive and encouraging. Most of the staff and Program Directors and some faculty join in as well as student ambassadors. We do ice-breakers to get the new students to relax as well get to know some of their new "friends." We use powerpoint slides to make sure that we cover the essentials of school life and expectations. It all sounds good and is effective but I can see that we need to continue the dialogue of orientation through out the students' academic career -- so either me (Dean) or the program director will go in to the classroom at least once per week to open up a discussion on how the students are doing in school, how they are overcoming any obstacles, study strategies, note taking, time management skills, etc. I can see the value of ongoing "orientations."
We have a very good orientation program, on the first day for new students we have the campus director, admissions, financial aid, student services, tutor and career services go in and introduce themselves and give the students information about each department. On the second day we have orientation for all other students where we do re-introduce ourselves and ask if they have any questions.
