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OrientationThese are the strategies used to ensure that students have the information they need to participate fully in the academic and social life of the College. In addition to the well-known activities put on for first year students, there are strategies here for all levels of students and "spiral induction" activities that ensure the orientation message is communicated more than once.
Summer SchoolUniversity of Central Lancashire More information: Case Study University of Central Lancashire pages 4 - 6 Link - http://www.uclan.ac.uk/facs/class/edustud/flyingstart/index.htm Taster Sessions - Success@SenecaSeneca College Students attend 20 minute mock lectures as part of a before-term orientation program. Debriefing sessions by academic or support services staff are held immediately afterwards. More information, contact Steve Fishman, Program Leader Taster Sessions - "Last Lectures" - Orientation to Faculty (School)Arts and Social Science Faculty and Public Affairs and Management Faculty, Carleton University Professors deliver lectures related to their research interest. Student leaders from the First Year Experience Office provide follow-up workshop about the lecture-style learning format. More information, Jennifer Quin, Director, Student Affairs, Interactive Software (Adjusting Student Expectation to Demands of Program)Southampton Institute of Technology (Solent University) used as part of their spiral induction program. More information: Case Study of Southampton page 3 Paper in which it is described: Laing, C., Cho, K., Robinson, A. and Sun, P. (2002, November 21) Non-traditional Student Expectations and Progression: A Game Theory Approach. [Session F4B-11 at 32nd ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Boston]. Link http://fie.engrng.pitt.edu/fie2002/papers/1080.pdf Program Selection Self-Assessment Questionnaire and Support Specialist Contact4 programs in Allied Health, Algonquin College 05/06 QAF funded project. Applicants offered a seat in the program of choice are forwarded a self-assessment questionnaire that queries their expectations of the hours of study, program content and employer demands among other things. A support specialist is available to answer questions. The strategy is in the pilot phase and will be evaluated in September, 2006. More information, Jo-Ann Aubut, Chair, Health Sciences Development Program Identifying Students at Risk using a Diagnostic TestNapier University Short online or paper-based test that can identify a student at risk of early withdrawal. Used as part of induction, early counseling or advising sessions. Administered by academic staff; feedback always provided. More information, Case Study of Napier University page 3 Link to online test (please note that students are provided feedback by academic staff when this tool is used in induction and orientation) http://www.napier.ac.uk/qes/studentretentionproject/Diagnostictest/Dpageone.htm
Student/Faculty Orientation MorningMechanical and Industrial Engineering, Mohawk College A morning event culminating in a pizza lunch that allows the students to meet the teachers (including teachers in support courses) and hear about their views on the profession and teaching in a panel discussion. Graduates of the program are also invited to speak. More information, contact Marla Robinson, Program Coordinator,marla.robinson@mohawkcollege.ca Departmental Open HousesCarleton University Program-specific departmental orientations which take place near faculty offices. Light lunch provided for students, faculty and support staff. More information, contact Jennifer Quin, Director, Student Affairs, No Regular Classes First DayCollege-wide Extended Student Orientation Day, Confederation College The result of research carried out by a Student Success Team, faculty in all programs tried out a variety of ideas to make students feel comfortable on the first day. More information, see article “Getting Them Excited The First Day” NISOD Innovation Abstracts, Vol XXVI, No. 15, May 7, 2004. More information contact Alice Clark, Manager, Centre for Learning and Teaching,
Fall GamesAlgonquin College in the Ottawa Valley (Pembroke campus) Outdoor challenge course activities and games that foster community and team building attended by first year students, faculty, support staff and some returning students from the Outdoor Adventure program. More information, contact Murray Kyte, Chair Business, Technology & Outdoor Training Dept. Ext. 2751 Team Building and Conflict Resolution TrainingSocial Service Worker program, Algonquin College Activities and challenges where perceived risks are set forth to enhance qualities such as creative problem solving, conflict management etc. More information, Shelley Styles, Coordinator of Social Service Worker programs,
"Drip Feed" Spiral Induction ProgramSouthampton Institute of Technology Rather than one intensive week of induction activities, students are ‘drip fed’ information over six weeks and at other crucial points in their program. More information - http://www.hull.ac.uk/engprogress/Prog3Papers/PDPGuide.pdf (pages 9 - 11) Late Induction ProgramUniversity of Glamorgan A systematic approach to inducting late enrolees can include an academic staff member assigned to each late enroller, mini-induction sessions, the implementation of study action plans and regular progress meetings between the teacher and the student. More information - http://www.business.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/reflect/conf/2003/fitzgibbon/ Student Orientation CDAll Business Programs, School of Business, Algonquin College 05/06 QAF funded project. Each student receives a CD of orientation information. Information is available without having to go through the ‘maze’ of the web. Reaches students who miss first classes when orientation is normally given. The CD material can also be available online. More information, Wayne McIntyre, Chair, extension 5207
First Term General Required CourseKnown by various names, such as Freshman Seminar, First Year Study Skills Course, Basic Skills 101. Unrelated to a specific program, this orientation course focuses on preparatory skills such as time management and research basics and includes introduction to campus services M&M Peer Mentor ProgramUniversity of Central Lancashire Volunteer mentors trained on business principles meet with first year students (3or fewer per mentor) once per week throughout term. Supervision and quality control is provided by staff. For more information, see Case Study University of Central Lancashire pages 8 - 10 Link - http://www.uclan.ac.uk/host/mandms/index.htm M-PowerUniversity of Edinburgh Volunteer mentors trained in student developmental theory take part in face-to-face meetings with ‘non-traditional’ students (e.g. student who is first in family to attend higher education) on a regular basis throughout the first year. For more information, see Case Study University of Edinburgh Link - http://www.sra.ed.ac.uk/widening/mentoring.html Student Liaison OfficerUniversity of Central Lancashire Recent graduate hired for one year to provide liaison for students in one School (e.g. Life Sciences) with academic staff and support services. More information, see Case Study University of Central Lancashire pages 6 - 8 Link - http://www.uclan.ac.uk/facs/science/management_slo.htm
Social OutingsRecreation and Leisure Services, Algonquin College. Inexpensive and successful activities have included attendance at 67s games, bowling. More information, Kevin Lee, Coordinator, Kevin.Lee@algonquincollege.com Fitness and Health Promotion, Algonquin College.Active events such as indoor rock climbing. More information, contact Gordon Wilcox, Coordinator, Christmas ConnectionsAlgonquin College in the Ottawa Valley (Pembroke) Designed to prevent any unwanted ‘Christmas graduates’ (students who return home during holidays and opt not to return, a situation that occurs more amongst younger students). The event is social and designed to ‘give them a boost through the exam period.’ More information, Jamie Bramburger Manager Community & Student Affairs Ext. 2756 Peer Matching - Bowling NightChild and Youth Worker program, Faculty of Health, Public Safety and Community Studies, Algonquin College 05/06 QAF funded project. A student-led initiative in which second year students organize and implement a leisure activity in the fourth week of school for first year students. Third year students are invited as well. More information, Jean Sauvé, Coordinator, Meet and Greet the GraduatesApplied Museum Studies, Faculty of Health, Public Safety and Community Studies, Algonquin College 05/06 QAF funded project. Full day orientation session. Graduates now working in the field are invited to give talks and panel discussions about their experience. Second and Third year students are then given a chance to talk about what their first year was like and answer questions. Includes lunch. More information, Terry Quinlan, Professor, |