That is the one thing I think we need to implement again...the power point. We used to use it and I don't know why we stopped! It is a great tool!!
Kristie,
Making orientation a fun event should be a goal for all.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Having a slide show and also giving student handouts are great ways to make orientation more effective. We have been in fact been having 'orientation revision' every day for at least the first two week and then once every month, and it really helps.
Huseina,
This is good. Orientation is a process and should not be considered a single day event. Students need time to become familiar with the educational environment and all the resources available.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
All programs are involved in our orientation. Admissions, academics, student services, graduate employment, and the business office. I think we could incorporate more fun activities into this event, like ice breakers to get students talking and involved. I think mini orientations at the beginning of each term would help students know what they need to do to be successful in each specific term.
Alissa,
Mini orientations could happen in the classroom.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
During orientation we have found that the interaction between the new starts and school representatives at all levels is extremely beneficial to the success and retention of the student. Students meet and mingle with the department chair, lead instructors, full time instructors, president, advisors, career services and students in a relaxed informative environment and are encouraged to reach out to any representative for help or advise. Consequently, students are more successful in the classes because they know where to go for help.
Kathy,
Having followup activities during the first week or two of classes can help reinforce what is learned during the orientation event. Orientation is a process that takes time.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I think that an orientation program should not only be ongoing but should include at least one representative from each department of the school as well. The communication that is given to the students at the beginning of the orientation is vital so it is important that each of the department representatives meet with one another prior to orientation to make sure that communication is consistent. This method of having one representative from each department will also allow for an ongoing quality review of the orientation program that allows weak or problem areas to be discussed and new suggestions to be made for improvement. When everyone is working together as a team consistently communicating the same message to a student it demonstrates the schools dedication to it's students in a way that is likely to increase student retention.
Scott,
Very well said. Thank you for this post. I agree wholeheartedly.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
When the student is going through the orientation it helps them to feel at ease if they have students that are already enrolled in the program with them. Our school has an ambassador program and we have the ambassadors go through the orientations with the new students before there first day in class. It helps them feel at ease, asking them questions and so forth. Some of the ambassadors even talk to the whole group letting the new student know what to expect on day one and so on.
David,
Current students helping new students helps build a connection to the campus. The current students often validate what faculty relate to students about their responsibilities.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our current orientation program is effective. It gives everyone an opportunity to meet the students. We also start the immunizations that are needed and measure for scrubs. It usually lasts all day.
Audrey,
How is your retention?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our current Orientation program is fairly comprehensive.
However, I think one thing that may significantly improve our Orientation program would be to bring in Instructors to speak to the students to reinforce the topics reviewed about expectations. Being a massage school, class time is a tracked clock-hour that must be completed in order to certify a student's education and for them to have the ability to sit for the state board exam. This is discussed in admissions, it is reiterated in their interview with the Campus Director as part of the Admissions process, it is discussed heavily in Orientation. Inevitably there is at least 1 to 2 students who struggle with the concept. Often it is because they have experienced a different attendance structure in High School or at other colleges and often expect the instructors to allow flexibility in the policy. Our instructors now continue to review this before the start of a new class also. Bringing the Instructors in at Orientation to review this may mitigate some of this.
Jeannette,
Most schools have program directors in to reinforce curriculum related topics and expectations. Barring that, a faculty member from the program should be addressing expectations.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Currently orientation is a 3 to 4 hour event going over rules, expecations, introduction to faculty and staff and important depts. etc. We are looking to increase this to a whole "class" of 1 week to 6 weeks and include soft skills and other courses such as CPR, 1st Aide and basic computer skills.
Jamie,
Yes, Orientation is more than a single day event. It will be interesting to hear about the results of this effort.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
We try to have a dynamic orientation, but it is only part of one day. It sounds like it needs to be longer.
Megan ,
Orientation is a process and not an event.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
