Need for Orientation to Distance Education

The distinctive nature of an online course as compared to a face-to-face (F2F) course:

• Both teaching and learning to be addressed• Technology also needs to be addressed• Students must be prepared for Distance Education

Why have a Student Orientation for Distance Education?

• To free individual faculty from having to determine if a student is ready for an online course

• For the student to self-assess his/her own readiness for online learning

• To make sure that students understand the nature of online education and are realistic about the type and amount of work involved

• To explain what is involved in the particular institution’s online courses

Learning Outcomes of Online Orientation at Stockton

• To learn or get a refresher on basic technology, time management, and organizational and study skills.

• To learn how to write and read in an academic, online environment.

• To learn the basics of online etiquette, or netiquette.• To find out specifically how Stockton offers its Distance

Education courses.• To be able to decide for yourself if you are ready to take an

online course.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

• Student support consists of many components, including assisting “the prospective student in understanding independent learning expectations as well as the nature and potential challenges of learning in the program’s technology-based environment.”

• The Commission notes the importance of student preparation for online or distance learning, and the institution’s necessary commitment to facilitating this preparation.

 

Journal

“All first-time distance education students should be given a

clear statement of course requirements in advance.

This should include: 1) all course requirements; 2) the weekly

time commitment and specific computer skills required by the

course; and 3) a presentation of the practical difficulties of

working at a distance and what is needed to manage those

challenges successfully.”

 

Online Orientation To Promote Interactive Learning

• Good practice encourages students to “discuss” course work with one another in online environment

• Good practice also encourages students to “discuss” course work with professor in online environment

• Orientation can introduce students to these critical concepts

Why an Orientation?

• Welcome Back!▫Most students are Continuing Ed

Community College Transfers Taking on a Masters/Doctorate Program Adding to their credentials

▫ Lapse since Students last participated in a class environment

• Are You Ready for This?▫Technophile = Computer Literate (NOT always TRUE)

Many recent Grads who start a Continuing Ed or Graduate program lack essential computer skills

▫Online/Hybrid courses are convenient & flexible, but still require commitment Student Perception: Online = Easy (Almost Never True)

Goals of Orientation

• Get Students Started Early▫Prepares students before the first class starts

• Set Expectations▫Make clear the style of the course offerings (online, hybrid,

web assisted)▫Expected Commitments▫Policies and Procedures

• Inform students about how to access Services▫Technical Support▫Administrative Support (registration, financial aid, grades)

Limitations of Orientation

• Bound Orientation Materials such that they▫Are pertinent to the first-time student

Do not drown the first-time student in a see of comprehensive information

▫Do not dive much below the surface Retention of training materials and information is often

poor when not put immediately into practice▫Require minimal support

“Self Service” style orientations force students to explore the material

Make this easy to maintain and update for your institution