Meeting Students Where They’re at During Online Orientation

Presented by Jessica Lackner, Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies

Written by Caitlin A. Getchell, JD, The University of Tulsa

How do you onboard your students? At Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, Jessica Lackner manages the four-week online orientation their students must complete before enrolling in courses. The asynchronous course is designed to help students learn the systems that will be used for their online courses, as well as covering policies and resources (such as financial aid) that the students should be aware of. The orientation also helps set the understanding of faculty expectations for communication and coursework.

Lackner said they structure the orientation as if the students have never used a computer, starting with very basic instructions and building up to more complicated systems. Since the orientation is asynchronous students can work at their own pace, as long as they complete it prior to the start of the term. Students maintain access to the orientation for two semesters in case they later need some of the information covered.

Since the orientation is a prerequisite for enrollment, the students are required to get a 70% or higher to pass the course. If they do not pass with a 70% or higher the student may defer their start term and attempt the orientation a second time when it is next offered. They are only given two attempts to pass the orientation. Students who are unable to successfully complete orientation do not start the program since that is an indicator that they may not be successful at that point in time. Lackner said this is rare and is usually an indicator the student doesn’t currently have the time to commit to graduate school.

The orientation gives Lackner the opportunity to build a rapport with the students, which is important because she continues to follow up with students after orientation ends. She checks in with the students mid-semester and also sends regular reminders of the resources mentioned in the orientation. The continued relationship between Lackner and the students helps encourage them to come to her with any issues they may be facing so it can be addressed early on and, hopefully, prevent larger complications for them.

Lackner acknowledged that a four-week orientation seems long, but said it works well for preparing their students for success in the program. n