ORIENTATION
Back to Table of Contents for the On Course I Workshop
1. Strategy: Desired Outcomes/Experiences, Tracking Form, Success Teams
Application: New Student Orientation
Educator: Alan Parks, Director, College Success Program, University of Maine, ME
Implementation: In our one-week Orientation Session held prior to the start of the fall semester for first-year students in our developmental studies program, we use Desired/Achieved Outcomes and Experiences Charts for the students to set personal goals for the week. Students then complete an adapted 7-day Tracking Form to set their action steps for achieving their goals during the week as they prepare to start their college careers. In Success Teams, they monitor and support each other’s progress. Reporting out includes questions and strategies on how to get additional information and set next steps to achieve their desired outcomes and experiences.
2. Strategy: Professor Rogers’ Trial (Case Study)
Application: New Student Orientation
Educator: Annette D. Fields, Faculty, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR
Implementation: Present Professor Rogers’ Trial during new student orientation (ours has about 600 students and their families attending). After presenting the case study, ask the audience who they thought was most responsible for the group’s grade of “D.” The discussion enables student an opportunity to visualize they challenges they may experience in a college class where they are expected to cooperate and work well with classmates.
3. Strategy: Success Teams
Application: New Student Orientation
Educator: Amanda Doyle, Coordinator of Advising, Pulaski Technical College, AR
Implementation: During New Student Orientation, form success teams in each session. Have students exchange contact information that they are comfortable sharing (email, cell phone, Facebook, etc.) so they have the ability to stay in contact after the Orientation ends. In addition, appoint a faculty or staff member to each team so the students have a contact person on campus. This strategy helps students form a connection to the campus through their fellow students and the faculty or staff member.
4. Letter to Future Self
Application: New Student Orientation – Believing in Oneself. Provide personal and meaningful encouragement to student
Educator: Tracey Isensee, Academic Dean, Herzing University Madison, WI
Implementation:Introduce the concept at Campus Orientation and share the link to our FutureMe site: https://www.futureme.org/sites/Ju7ScUb7x6HLTirA2E27LyDs/letters/new
Have the student draft a letter to themselves after campus orientation to remind them why their education matters and why they are doing it. They should share meaningful words of encouragement to help keep them going when times get tough and a congratulations to themselves for how far they have come. Letters are auto scheduled to be sent one year from the date written to the email the student provided. Academic Dean also has access to the letter so whenever student reaches out with doubt/concern/frustration, the Dean can access the letter and remind the student of the Why. This activity can be renewed for students at any time and may also be useful for students starting their final year.
Sample: Dear Future Me,
Hey you! I am super excited you are on your way to becoming a nurse just like grandma! Your kids are going to be proud of you! I know its hard working two jobs and juggling two kids but you got this! The pay off is going to be priceless! Just remember, take a break when you need to. Get your sneakers and ear buds and go for a walk, crank your song –Shake it Off by T. Swift! Remember–when the faculty seem like hard-asses they are just trying to help you be the best you can be!
Go Get ‘Em
See you at Graduation!
TKI
