Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, many college students may be starting their first year online. What will this look like? How can institutions deliver high-quality first-year experience programs? Here are some recommendations and ideas for creating a first-year experience that can be delivered virtually.
Best Practices
Southern New Hampshire University’s College of Online and Continuing Education published a presentation of Online First Year Experience Best Practices. Some key takeaways are included here:
Course Design
In order for students to succeed in online courses during their first year, it is important to design courses that are digestible in an online format. The following considerations should be taken into account when designing online courses for first-year students:
- Smaller “chunks” of information
- Ensure courses are flexible in nature
- Track students’ progress
- Include micro-assessments
- Streamline the user experience for online modules
- Make the Canvas page as simple as possible
- Introduce students to the technology: “Getting Started”
Learning Support Services
It is possibly even more important for students to have abundant access to learning support services in an online format, since they aren’t able to walk into an office on campus and just ask someone for help. As with the above Course Design considerations, the simplicity, ease, and availability of these resources should be of utmost importance.
- Writing Center for writing support
- Webinars and Tutoring for academic support
- Learning Communities specific to courses and programs
- Technology support
Other
Communication is necessary to ensure delivery of information and resources. Use proactive communication in the form of advising, embedded resources in the course, email campaigns, and course announcements to communicate with students.
Faculty and Advisors should work together to support students holistically. Each role has specialized training working with students and should combine efforts to deliver high-quality online programming.
Social Engagement is extremely important, especially in an online setting. Students attending college in Fall 2020 were looking forward to in-person classes and the “college experience.” They will be expecting a similar experience, or the closest thing to it. This is an opportunity and a challenge for student affairs professionals to incorporate student development theory to create meaningful connection in an online environment.
Be Proactive. It may be difficult to tell when students are getting off track with their coursework or feeling lost, inadequate, or overwhelmed when all interaction is online. It is important for all faculty and staff to be proactive to address problems before they happen.
Considerations
While some institutions may move their entire fall semester online, others may opt for a hybrid model or may limit the number of on-campus students. In this case, it is necessary to consider how online offerings will compare with in-person offerings. The following questions are a good place to start:
In what ways are first-year online students able to engage with their on-campus peers? Are there clubs and organizations that have an online chapter or welcome students from distant locations?
During the start of the semester, are any Week of Welcome activities geared toward online learners? Are there opportunities for virtual interaction with prominent university figures?
Are online students able to easily access services such as tutoring, counseling, and health center offerings?
Are sporting events, commencement, campus speakers, and other high-profile community events streamed for online students?
From First Steps to Next Steps: The Online First Year Experience (OFYE) (Part 1)