Good. An open door policy helps. The key is to reach out and form a relationship. Some students hesitate to ask questions until they feel they can. Just a thought.
Dr. Banks
We have 2 days for orientation, but after that the student is on there own. We instructors must then help students that are in need and be on the look out. I always have an open door policy with my students and I make sure they are aware of this on the first day of class.
Sounds like your orientation is excellent. To improve, make sure you link all advising to career centered themes. Why are they going to school? More often than not, the student wants to secure employment in the profession.
Dr. B
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?
Currently our orientation occurs on the Saturday before each new start. It runs for about 4 hours and the students are rotated through 3 different segments. They spend time in a kitchen, watching a demo and learning about the curriculum. They stop at the book store and pick up their uniform/shoes. Then they go to the library/computer lab to learn how to log in to our student portal and reset their passwords.
Prior to all of the stops, the students gather in our cafeteria where they are introduced to a number of departments and important persons. We also have kiosks set up where students/family can meet with instructors, members of our student council, financial aid, registrar, career services, and student success.
Overall, I feel our orientation process is very sound, and I've seen it improve tremendously. I do, however, love the idea of it being an ongoing process. And the suggestion about asking students at the end of class if they have any concerns/comments/questions is a brilliant idea, one that I intend to use the next time I teach a first-module class.
Thanks!
Awesome. You know, students really want to talk to faculty members. It is good that you encourage discussions.
Dr. B
at our school we have a course for orientation that set the way our school opperates and what they are expected from them as where they can get help not just from the instructor but also from different areas ie student services or education departments ect...
but I as an instructor try and inform my students that they can talk with me when they need to, I offer them this so they know i am not just there to take up time but also so they can find out where they can get help .
Great.... The look, sound, and feel of the school and classes will improve retention. Don't underestimate how important it is to pay attention to look, sound, and feel.
Dr. B
our school is hands on/demo driven: we are trying to incorporate class specific demo's during orientation to help our students understand where these classes will be held, why we are doing the things we are doing and hopefully to have a little fun as well
I love the idea of stitch-in. Too many orts are admin oriented. Be sure to include career services to create and confirm that after training, the student should be able to get "the" job.
Dr. B
at our school we have an initial orientation where of course books, uniforms, and id badges are handed out. There is also an event that we call "the stitch-in" that is separate from the formal orientation where a variety of instructors are present to meet and greet the new students and offer them snacks. Also, students are paired up with instructors (as advisees) and we meet with them either every 3 weeks to keep up with their progress or whenever the student needs assistance wether it is with mock interviews, concerns with housing, tutoring, personality clashes with fellow students or even other instructors.
For the new incoming students, we have a student orientation that lasts a couple of ours. We go through policies and also we do a tour. On day one of each new class, we do a lecture talking about the class and other stuff and things. We also do a preday one talk with the class that is coming in.
I think laying out what is really going to be required of them and lay it on heavy so that there are no falsehoods about what they are doing here.
Yes, it helps when current students and grads talk about their success. Especially key in on, "I got the job, because I completed my education."
Dr. B
Our current orientation programs include breakout sessions with program directors. The students get an in depth look and what they will be learing while they're in school. This seems to be working well however we can improve oriention by including current students and alumni as guest speakers.
Good deal. With your meetings in week three and four, try to center the advising on career themes. This will help you to connect with student objectives.
Dr. Banks
What we are going to do to improve our orientation process is to give each student a go to guide. We are going to start meeting with new students in week three and four to make sure things are going ok for them and to see if we can help them in any way, at this time we will give them a go to guide so that they will know who they can see for what issues. This will help each student know who they need to see when they have a issue they need addressed.
explain fully to students that as they go through school over a period of sometimes years that processes and rules will most likely change and that they will have to compley
Good point. Could you involve career services earlier to share real life stories?
Dr. B
Our current process includes a number of activites that focus on sales and marketing reinforcements from a recrutement standpoint. While there are discussions regarding their future student expierences,there needs to be a more effective approach that objectively addresses the challenges they will face. In short, the students attend believing that the world they just left will be the same world they are now entering.
Excellent. Student's need help... even with words, like: FAFAS, PA, Dean, etc. Good for you.
Dr. B
