Business School Improving the undergraduate student induction experience through the use of a ‘live’ induction Wiki Belinda Platt – Undergraduate Course Manager Lindsay Williams – Senior Lecturer

Business School Background and Context Business School Induction 750 students 17 different fields Diversity of students EU, International, Home, Admission with Credit 1 week face-to-face induction period Key Considerations Improving the overall student induction experience Minimizing information overload Appealing to ‘Generation Y’ students “…high on their lists of needs when seeking information were ease of use, reliability, accuracy, currency, availability, and cost” (Weiler, 2004)

Business School Key Change: Development of the Induction Wiki Previous Wiki Distinctive Features: Three Phases 1. Pre Induction: Easing Transition/Familiarity Feeling part of the Business School Community Cohort Identity Conversion tool 2. During Induction: Where do they need to be and when Who do they need to see Message of the day Room changes Key information updates Additional supporting information Brookes Business School Wiki 3.Post Induction: Transition extension Events information Central point for information

Business School Did the students use it? What did they think?

Business School Wiki Usage 1. Pre Induction 70 homepage hits (includes staff and proof reader) Students were only given the wiki link six days before the start of induction week Students were mainly accessing photographs and the final year student profile (‘Meet Doug’) 2. During Induction Week 2250 homepage hits Most popular wiki areas: Academic Advisers (1200+) Daily guide for Wednesday and Thursday (800 hits a day) Other popular areas: To do list, ‘Meet Doug’, Field Pages, PIP info & Campus maps

Business School Post Induction Homepage hits: Week 1… hits Week 2…… 750+ hits Week 3 ……370+ hits Students were mainly accessing the student evaluation questionnaire, FAQ’s and the PowerPoint presentations given during induction week Some interesting usage stats and patterns…..

Business School Usage stats: Monday of Induction week

Business School Usage stats: Tuesday of Induction week

Business School Usage stats: Wednesday of Induction week

Business School Usage stats: Thursday of Induction week

Business School Usage stats: Friday of Induction week

Business School Student Evaluation 230 respondents (30% response rate), e-survey via the wiki Quantitative headlines: Only 3% students did not find the Business School Induction useful Only 7% students did not find the induction wiki useful Most students found the PIP and VLE links to be the most useful sections of the wiki (followed by ‘Info on your Field’, ‘Academic Advisers’, ‘To-do’ List….) Two open questions (in relation to the wiki) ‘If you accessed the wiki after induction week, what information were you looking for?’ ‘If you could change one thing to improve the wiki, what would it be?’

Business School ‘If you accessed the wiki after induction week, what information were you looking for?’ Three key themes: 1. Accessing Existing Information: Recapping or finding information (‘specific’ info seeking) e.g. information on modules or Fields, WAVES, Study Abroad, Library, Staff details General Browsing 2. Wanting to Access New or Updated Information: Room changes, timetable changes, news and updates Expectation that ‘live’ information would be provided post-induction 3. Portal Access: PIP, Brookes Virtual & Academic Adviser Contact Details…i.e. using the Wiki as a vehicle for accessing a different site or system

Business School ‘If you could change one thing to improve the wiki, what would it be? Three key themes: 1.Content: More information beyond induction (most responses) More ‘live’ information during induction week Clarity 2. Site Design: Navigation (most responses) Language and appearance 3. Accessibility: Locating the Wiki (most responses) Centralised Access

Business School To conclude Wiki usage levels exceeded expectations and provided some interesting data in terms of usage patterns Students were using the wiki to access information for a specific ‘need’ as well as generally browsing the site (at their own convenience) The use of the wiki as a portal to other sites and systems has provided some interesting food for thought… Students want even more information!! (especially ‘live’ information, and beyond the main induction period) Generation Y student context: “…high on their lists of needs when seeking information were ease of use, reliability, accuracy, currency, availability, and cost” (Weiler, 2004)