Socialising learners through online induction: reflections on the transition to HE Richard Walker & Wayne Britcliffe E-Learning Development Team University of York ALT-C 2009

Challenges related to student transition  Engaging a new generation of students with preferences for interactive & exploratory learning  Familiarity with popular social technologies  Facilitating students to acquire good scholarship / information literacy skills –Discipline & course-level best practices –Techniques to cope with information overload  Socialising students into institutional, discipline & peer group communities

Drivers for transition support at York  Foster partnership across institution to support transition process  Links between Admissions, Student Services, Department, ELDT, Comp Serv…  Commitment to support socialisation of new students  Share & understand relevant academic values & expectations  Address skills development through self-directed learning  Explore how TEL may assist, through provision of online induction & academic skills tools & resources

Goals for the Biology induction projects (07 & 08)  Provide incoming students with information about the University / Department & undergraduate study  Provide academic support materials, enabling students to brush up on Maths / Chemistry  Facilitate interaction with peers & between incoming students & Department –enhance communication with international students  Support University’s on-line registration process

Project implementation  Induction site set up over summer of 07 & 08 –running from September until end of Autumn term  Publicised through Welcome pack to students after confirmation of exam results  Accessible only to registered students with University ID  Optional usage of site with limited support through blog

Induction site design: Need to Do  Online tasks prior to arrival on campus  Links to student network site etc.

Induction site design: Need to Know  Info about course & study material  Reading lists; timetables; catch-up material

Induction site design: What’s happening?  Links to Biosciences Society, Student Union  Video clips

Induction site design: Find out more  Links to City of York & University Admissions Site

Induction site design: Blog  Social interaction tool for all students

Evaluation: 2007 cohort  Log-in frequency peaked mid-Sept until mid-Oct 07 –Limited access once term began –Students accessed other info resources (handbook)  Need to Know / Catch-up material areas most used & most useful  Blog used by international students (general) & UK students (accommodation / college queries) –Starting point to get to know peers –But Facebook preferred for general chat

Feedback: 2007 cohort ‘The need to know was very useful, because during the holidays we forget some of the things we did during our A-level so the catch-up material was excellent.’ ‘The blog was one of my favourite parts of the site and I found it very helpful before I came here. I think it’s a really good idea to meet the people you’re going to be working with before you come because it helps you to feel like you’re going to fit in and it eases anxieties about moving away from home and into university.’

Modifications for 08 cohort  Greater input from current students, as well as University organizations (Student Support Office, York Award)  More info on tutorials & practicals Enhancements to induction site:  Roll-out & demo to other departments (Chemistry) Greater publicity of site  Part of a wider University skills initiative  Re-usable academic skills- based Learning Objects for inclusion in induction sites Link up with skills modules

Evaluation: 2008 cohort  peak activity late Aug / September  viewed as ‘useful’ & ‘exciting’  2 nd / 3rd year students account for majority of posts Blog: 658 hits in first 2 months after receipt of offers  identity of a Biology student  academic skills: reading / referencing Wide-ranging discussion Export of conversations to informal settings (Facebook / society sites) “ I’ve just been looking over all of the catch up material and because of my gap year, I am feeling very out of practice hehe!!! Thank god we’ve got a few weeks left for me to get up to scratch on it all. It’s amazing how much you forget in a year”. “ My names XXX and I’m from Bolton..Yay! and I’m going to be studying Biochemistry starting in Oct. Kinda nervous about moving away but excited too I think.”

Spin-off sites Reaching out to schools VLE expo wiki (WP) Library tutorials: evaluating materials; finding reliable information Transition module: Academic skills for HE Studying in the UK: Cultural orientation for international students

Questions