RNtoBSNOrientation

RN to BSN Spring 2017 Orientation

Description:

Bellin College had its first fully online program begin with the spring of 2017 RN to BSN student cohort. Prior to this, students had a face-to-face orientation and follow-up supplemental classroom visits regarding from instructional design (me) and library staff on topics such as technology and research fundamentals and to deal with any issues that arose throughout the semester. This new fully online cohort presented a challenge to our previous hi-touch model.

(Screenshot of the home page that was visible when students first access the course)

Objectives:

• deliver more technology and research fundamentals during the initial face-to-face orientation session and cut out any unnecessary housekeeping items
• develop a Canvas course and shift content that can be shifted to Canvas to save time for critical content in the face-to-face session.
• ease technology anxiety for returning adult learner (not everything can be online)
• coordinate a technology drop-off station for students to leave their laptops and have them checked for issues or have software installed and allow them to ask questions regarding viruses, installation, hardware/software purchases, app installs, etc.
• Provide handouts for reference after session is over

(screenshot of Modules area)

Project Details:

I worked with the RN to BSN committee and the faculty members to develop an appropriate a schedule of events that would allow for adequate time for technology training for key topics that would then be supplemented by content made available to students in an online course via the Canvas LMS. Activities were developed to allow students to download and test necessary software and practice Canvas features such as assignment submissions and discussions. I held two sessions during the face-to-face orientation. One session focussed on collaboration tools for online students - specifically Google suite and some Canvas features, and the second session was a training on the Canvas LMS.

Additional Resources:

• Below is a handout that I developed to supplement a session that I held during the face-to-face orientation session on the Google Suite.