Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Journal Title
International Journal of Designs for Learning
Volume Number
15
Issue Number
2
First Page
41
Last Page
53
Version
Publisher PDF: the final published version of the article, with professional formatting and typesetting
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA License.
Disciplines
Higher Education Administration
Abstract
A new online orientation course equips students with the tools and skills to thrive in online programs. It welcomes them to the university, introduces the learning management system, fosters peer connection, and locates essential resources. Additionally, it teaches valuable strategies for time management, motivation, and success in online learning. This adaptable base course caters to the university’s diverse online programs while maintaining a core structure. Designed for efficient facilitation by Academic Directors, it also allows for a personalized touch. Surveys indicate the course effectively prepares students for their first online course. Notably, completing the orientation has become the strongest predictor of student retention and academic success. This award-winning approach serves as a valuable example for designing online student orientation programs.
Digital USD Citation
Leslie, Heather J. PhD, "Onboarding Students at Scale: A New Student Orientation Course that Prepares Students to Succeed in their Online Degree Programs" (2024). Learning Design Center: Staff Scholarship. 12.
https://digital.sandiego.edu/ldc-scholarship/12
Notes
Original Citation:
Leslie, H. (2024). Onboarding Students at Scale: A New Student Orientation Course that Prepares Students to Succeed in their Online Degree Programs. International Journal of Designs for Learning, 15(2), 41–53. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v15i2.35590