WebCT: OO4U (Online Orientation for You)

Tuesday, 13 July 2004

This presentation is part of C-9: Orientation to Distance Learning

WebCT: OO4U (Online Orientation for You)

Description: Excelsior College’s students “gather” virtually on the Electronic Peer Network to form an online community. Although this is helpful, we have not had an orientation program targeted to new students, until recently. The presenters will take participants on a virtual tour of the Online Student Orientation and demonstrate the features students and staff find most useful and lessons learned. Participants will be encouraged to interact and share their own ideas and experiences.
Presentation Format: Oral
Topic: Driving student success: Attracting, supporting and retaining learners
Target Audience: Faculty and Other Instructors, E-learning Managers
Appropriate Audience Level: Beginning or new users of WebCT, Experienced WebCT users
WebCT Version:
Abstract Text: College and universities have long been aware of the importance of engaging students when they first enter their doors. In an increasingly technological environment these doors are becoming “portals”. Although the technology has changed, the need has not. Students still require a sense of community, and at the beginning of their affiliation with a college, it may come in the form of student orientation.
Excelsior College has had an Electronic Peer Network for several years which was labeled the “student union”. This is a place for students who are actively pursuing their degrees to “gather” in a virtual mode. We have not had an orientation program targeted to new students who have not received an evaluation of her transfer credits or an assessment of what she needs to do to complete her degree. Our advising and administrative experience speaks to the need for a student-centered approach to “walk” students through the pertinent resources. At the same, we know that students want this service 24/7, thus creating problematic staffing demands. Furthermore, we find that technology can help us answer routine questions, which maximizes our investment, serves students more effectively, and releases advisors to address issues of a more complex nature.
The presenters will take participants on a virtual tour of the Online Student Orientation and demonstrate the features students and staff find most useful. The presenter will also discuss lessons learned and problems remaining to be solved. Participants will be encouraged to interact and share their own ideas and experiences. Sample sessions with objectives on how to identify learning style, create a time management plan, explore career options and review various sources of college-level credit will be made available to the participants.

See more of Orientation to Distance Learning
See more of The 6th Annual WebCT User Conference

Description:	Excelsior College’s students “gather” virtually on the Electronic Peer Network to form an online community. Although this is helpful, we have not had an orientation program targeted to new students, until recently. The presenters will take participants on a virtual tour of the Online Student Orientation and demonstrate the features students and staff find most useful and lessons learned. Participants will be encouraged to interact and share their own ideas and experiences.
Presentation Format:	Oral
Topic:	Driving student success: Attracting, supporting and retaining learners
Target Audience:	Faculty and Other Instructors, E-learning Managers
Appropriate Audience Level:	Beginning or new users of WebCT, Experienced WebCT users
WebCT Version:
Abstract Text:	College and universities have long been aware of the importance of engaging students when they first enter their doors. In an increasingly technological environment these doors are becoming “portals”. Although the technology has changed, the need has not. Students still require a sense of community, and at the beginning of their affiliation with a college, it may come in the form of student orientation. Excelsior College has had an Electronic Peer Network for several years which was labeled the “student union”. This is a place for students who are actively pursuing their degrees to “gather” in a virtual mode. We have not had an orientation program targeted to new students who have not received an evaluation of her transfer credits or an assessment of what she needs to do to complete her degree. Our advising and administrative experience speaks to the need for a student-centered approach to “walk” students through the pertinent resources. At the same, we know that students want this service 24/7, thus creating problematic staffing demands. Furthermore, we find that technology can help us answer routine questions, which maximizes our investment, serves students more effectively, and releases advisors to address issues of a more complex nature. The presenters will take participants on a virtual tour of the Online Student Orientation and demonstrate the features students and staff find most useful. The presenter will also discuss lessons learned and problems remaining to be solved. Participants will be encouraged to interact and share their own ideas and experiences. Sample sessions with objectives on how to identify learning style, create a time management plan, explore career options and review various sources of college-level credit will be made available to the participants.