Orientation to Graduation: Connecting Online Students to the Institution. Sarah Schwintz, M.S. Amy Peterman, M.Ed. Texas Tech University

Transcription

1 Orientation to Graduation: Connecting Online Students to the Institution Sarah Schwintz, M.S. Amy Peterman, M.Ed. Texas Tech University

2 Agenda Introduction of the Problem Review of Literature Institution Overview Program Overview Purpose of Online Orientation Outcomes of the Online Orientation Development & Update of Online Orientation Resources (handouts) provided to participants Future Research Needed

3 Introduction to the Problem In 2010, Texas Tech University began offering the Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) which appealed to a large demographic of online students. At the time, there was no orientation available for these students. To meet this need, the advising staff developed an online orientation, which quickly grew to be an online information hub for BUS online students. This presentation will outline the BUS Online Orientation development process, how online learners are advised and prepared for online learning at Texas Tech, and how the online orientation influences the transformation of the BUS website.

4 Student Services for Online Learners

5 Ideal Components Student Services Office First contact with admissions then to students services office = successful enrollment and retention. Student services office should serve as clearinghouses of resources and referrals. Hours, access, and staff. Adult students benefit form a unique orientation program that addresses their needs and situations. Important students do not feel isolated feel heard, supported and engaged.

6 Theoretical Framework Schlosberg's Theory Historical Overview Type, Context, and Impact The 4 S s (Situation, Self, Support, Strategies) Moving in, moving through, and moving out

7 Texas Tech University Large research institution; public; founded in 1923; Lubbock, Texas 35,893 students fall ,839 acres Traditional, Residential 4 Year University 8 online undergraduate degree programs NCAA Big 12 Conference

8 Texas Tech University Mission Statement: As a public research university, Texas Tech advances knowledge through innovative and creative teaching, research and scholarship. The university is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. The university is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation and world.* *Approved by the Texas Tech University Board of Regents on May 14, 2010

9 University Studies Mission Statement University Studies aspires to be an innovative leader in providing academic programs and services to diverse group of learners; to help them achieve academic success at Texas Tech University. The Department, comprised of supportive, creative faculty and staff members are committed to excellence, diversity, development, delivery, and assessment of high quality academic programs striving to produce academically, personally, and professionally successful students who are positively engaged in their local, national, and global communities.

10 University Studies students are: 50% residential students; 50% online or place-bound students 27 median age (34 age for online learners only) 38% First Generation College students 87% of students work more than 30 hours per week 44% attend graduate school

11 University Studies Organizational Chart Patrick Hughes Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Jennifer Kisby Lead Academic Advisor Sarah Schwintz Director, Student Services Center Stephanie Rincon Unit Coordinator Amy Peterman Academic Analyst Andrea McCourt Director, Human Resources Development (HRDV) Jillian Yarbrough Instructor, HRDV Rachna Heitzel Instruction, HRDV Gail Bentley Instructor, INTS Marcus Tanner Director, Integrative Studies (INTS) Raynie Gibbs Instructor, INTS Alma Perez Accountant Taslim Anupom Student Assistant- IT/Web/Desktop Support Brittni Macleod Senior Academic Advisor Laci Mcdermett Senior Academic Advisor Jena Madison Student Assistant Nick Magera Student Assistant Gary Curnutt Graduate Assistant, HRDV Graduate Assistant, HRDV Thalia Wiener Graduate Assistant, INTS Graduate Assistant, INTS

12 Purpose of Online Orientation The TDE 0101: Online Orientation serves two distinct purposes: 1. To provide newly admitted online students a comprehensive orientation to the online undergraduate degree program at Texas Tech University, and 2. To provide current students with an online community, and have access to resources available. This course is not intended to substitute for the student/advisor relationship, but is designed to enhance the college experience for online students.

13 Welcome to the Program

14 Online Orientation

15 Current Students

16 Announcements

17 APA Style Help

18 What did we discover? Outcomes It works! Students maneuver the process and their advisor with the needed information for their degree plan. Regional Site students and advisors began using this orientation as well, as a face-to-face 2 hour orientation. It was recognized around the Texas Tech University campus for other online degree programs as a model of success for assisting online students. This course needs to be re-designed and updated three times a year.

19 Further Implications How do we get students engaged in the discussion board? Can we capture video using media site for the PowerPoint instruction? Make it more aesthetically appealing? What do we do with the data in the Introductory Survey? How do we reduce more questions from advisees?

20 Further Research Needed Are you ready for online learning? Usability study how many students use the online orientation, to what extent, and how is their learning assessed? Align orientation information with current social media platforms and website Other online communication tools such as adobe connect, blogs, GradesFirst, text messaging, podcasts, wikis, and teachertube. Retention rates and graduate rates of online orientation engagement

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22 Sources Crawley, A. & LeGore, C. (2009). Supporting online students. In George S. McClellan & Jeremy Stringer and Associates (Eds.), The handbook of student affairs administration, 3 rd ed. (pp ). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers. Evans, N.J., Forney, D.S., & Guido-Di-Brito, F. (1998). Student development in college: Theory, research, and practice. San Francisco, CA: Josey-Bass Publishers. Rice, P. J. (2003). Adult student services online. New Directions for Student Services, 2003(102),