MOHAMMED ARIF,
These additions to the orientation program will be helpful. Orientation is more than a single day event. Becoming oriented and connected to the school takes awhile. The first two weeks are critical.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I am a very firm beliver in having a very good compact and comprehensive orientation. we do have a Orientation but we are working on doing it better. Right now we have a one hour Orientation where we discuss and orient them about thier programs and rules and regulations realted to their program and about the school.
But very soon we will introduce the first day Orientation where in the Program director will comoe and be with the students for good about of time to discuss about the program.
We are also developing a powere point whic show a good deal about the faculty, Students and othe activities of school.
Wendy,
I recently learned about Dance Floor Theory as related to education. People do not like to dance alone or be the only couple on the floor. They want to be on a floor with many dancers interacting with each other. I like DANCING into the classroom.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our orientation program begins with all departments. All departments are introduced as we DANCE into the classroom. This is by far the students' favorite part! Each department gives a brief overview. Afterwards we have BREAKOUT sessions where the students breakout with their program chairs for more specific information regarding their first day, schedules, books, program overview, etc. Our orientation allows the students to become acquainted not only with each other but with all faculty members as well which in turn makes them more comfortable as well as more confident.
Katessa,
Yes, the goal is to prevent students from getting to the brink. In my experience as a Dean I would find that by the time a student saw me on their own about their issues their mind was already made up. In other words, they had already dropped mentally and emotionally.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Having a Student Success Coordinator is a good way to implement a form for retention. The entire school must be willing to make the student's experience one that is meaningful. However, this individual would be the last person that speaks with a student when they are perhaps on the brinks of dropping out of school.
The involvement of the Student Success Coordinator would be very important. This person should be able to communicate effectively with the student as well as the teachers and other administrators that may be involved with the success of the student.
Orientation programs should be designed to inform students of the expectations for starting and successfully completing school.
Lynn,
Having the teachers available for orientation is very positive. Your orientation is very grounded to student success.
Dr. Ron Hansen
The orientation and admissions process is very pertinent and can be improved immensely. Our orientation is very short. All of the teachers are introduced by our admissions director, but not all of the teachers talk. They need to discuss what they teach and let the students know that they are resources and mentors for them. They can provide a list of what the students need to be successful. The students can sit in their classrooms and come back multiple times to observe. Seniors can work with the freshman every Friday or every other Friday to address their concerns.
Shawn,
All positive information and helps to set up real expectations.
Dr. Ron Hansen
All of the schools features are put on display. The students are made aware of the comprehensive education they will be recieving in the upcoming month's even years in some cases. The student's are given ideas of potential employers they will be possibly hired by upon graduation.
Crystal,
Thank you for your post. I am glad you picked up a few ideas to bring forth at your institution.
Dr. Ron Hansen
Our orientation program can be improved in so many ways. I am definitely going to propose implementing some of the suggestions from this course. I think having the students meet with the faculty at orientation is a good start. We have a new class starting at the end of September so now is a good time to propose augementations.
Dorothy,
I find day long orientation events often dedicate a significant part of the day to administration and presenting of rules and policies. "Day in the Life" exposure is very positive. This can be accomplished with current students, recent graduates, and instructors coming into orientation and talking with students about the learning experience.
Dr. Ron Hansen
Rodney,
What you have added to your class that is more akin to orientation than subject matter should be shared with others. You would probably find that other faculty would benefit from providing similar information to their students.
Dr. Ron Hansen
Our orientation process is already pretty thorough -- it's an all-day event that relies on participation from all departments. Though it might be nice for the new students attending orientation to sit in on a class or at least take another tour during the event, just to see again what "a day in the life" of a student is like.
We currently do an orientation the day before school and talk about many of the items you have discussed in this module. I try to build upon this orientation the first day of class. Additionally, each day in my agenda we set aside time to cover material that may not get the adequate attention it deserves in those two days. After taking this module I have consolidated my list of items to cover to make sure that I am touching on every point expressed here.
Daisy,
Having this cross section of folks makes for a good orientation. Thank you for the post.
Dr. Ron Hansen
Our orientation has been developing since I've worked here. I think it's important if we can have a few instructors on top of management avaliable to speak about their experineces and what to expect in their class. I also like having current students present at the orientations to inspire the new comers. I feel if the new students can hear some of the experiences the current student had it will get them excited about starting school. Also I personal feel like if you have the time to talk to prospective student on their tour it can help start the bond between staff and student. I makes them feel comfortable to know we are their for them.
Our orientation could use a good mentoring push. We offer a student lounge [as we are an online school] but offering it as a place to seek help from other students further along in the program might make it more effective as a hub to encourage mentoring. Also, if we encouraged current students to utilize the student lounge as a place to help others, we could find a group of volunteers to start up a formal mentoring group.
Kim,
Orientation should go be an ongoing process for new students and not only a "pre-start" activity. Yes, orientation topics built into class schedules help solidify the student-school connection.
Dr. Ron Hansen
