Persona-based Onboarding Course for New Online Learners

• Instructional design informed by Situational Learning Theory

• Original persona-based story informed by interviews with academic advisors for the target programs

• Innovative use of animated gifs to enliven the course

• Collaboration across multiple departments

• In-depth understanding to the novice online learner persona

• Integrating essential tools and campus resources to ensure a successful start for the new online student

Project Summary

The persona-based onboarding course for new online learners that I developed showcases a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to instructional design, drawing upon the principles of Situational Learning Theory. By understanding the unique needs and challenges of novice online learners, I crafted an original persona-based story that was informed by interviews with academic advisors from the target programs. This approach ensured that the course content was relevant and tailored to the specific needs of the students. To enliven the learning experience, I incorporated innovative elements such as animated gifs, creating an engaging and dynamic course environment. Collaboration across multiple departments was a key aspect of this project, allowing for the seamless integration of essential tools and campus resources. This collaboration ensured that new online students had access to the necessary support and resources, setting them up for a successful start in their academic journey. The in-depth understanding of the novice online learner persona guided the development of the course, enabling me to address their specific needs and provide a supportive and inclusive learning experience.

Read the paper All On Board: A Facilitated Onboarding Program Supporting Retention of Online Undergraduate Learners presented at the 2021 Distance Learning Association Conference.