Assessment Details
Academic Year: 2020-2021 Level: Graduate
Campus Department: Student Affairs [UG and Grad]
Program Type: Co-Curricular Program [UG and Grad]
Program Name: New Graduate and Professional Student Orientation
Description of Data Collection:
Upon completion of the Canvas modules, students are required to complete a survey, which measures students’ ability to identify resources, and also the utility of an online orientation program. As this was our first major online program due to COVID-19, it was important for us to assess the delivery of the program and it’s effectiveness. In addition, this year a 60-day follow up survey was administered to assess student confidence in navigating resources 60 days after completing the online modules.
Review Process:
OGSL staff members collect and review all data, for use in programming the upcoming year. This includes both Graduate Assistants, the Director and Assistant Director, and other staff as needed.
Resulting Program Changes:
–The most notable change in GSL’s Orientation program was the transition from a traditional one-day, in person program, to an all-virtual program.
–This change was made due to safety concerns related to the pandemic and to adhere to national as well as local event mandates. (In the development of our 3-part online program, we did benchmark against other successful virtual graduate program models). While this was a necessary shift in delivery, we discovered that online delivery is an incredibly effective method for the graduate student population at BC.
–Another change due to this delivery method was that we were able to add a second orientation in the spring for new spring admits, which has never happened before.
-100% of respondents could identify resources that would be useful to them during their graduate careers (increase from 2019)
–Increased reach and access: Nearly double the number of students participated in the 2020 fall Canvas modules alone (992), compared to the average number of attendees in previous in-person orientations (400-500). Students are able to access modules on their own time and at their own pace. The program no longer competes with practicums, off-campus jobs, department events, or early classes. This also allows us to reach students who are solely online students.
–More information, centralized: 90% of respondents thought the orientation length was “just right” compared to only 67% in 2019. The in-person program was limited to one day, and it was difficult for students to get all of the information they needed. Our online modules deliver more clear (98% agreed online orientation modules were clear/intuitive) and detailed, useful information (97% agreed the content in the online modules was valuable) in an easy-to-use format. Students can now sift through what is useful for and relevant to them.
Date of Most Recent Program Review:
–The most notable change in GSL’s Orientation program was the transition from a traditional one-day, in person program, to an all-virtual program.
–This change was made due to safety concerns related to the pandemic and to adhere to national as well as local event mandates. (In the development of our 3-part online program, we did benchmark against other successful virtual graduate program models). While this was a necessary shift in delivery, we discovered that online delivery is an incredibly effective method for the graduate student population at BC.
–Another change due to this delivery method was that we were able to add a second orientation in the spring for new spring admits, which has never happened before.
-100% of respondents could identify resources that would be useful to them during their graduate careers (increase from 2019)
–Increased reach and access: Nearly double the number of students participated in the 2020 fall Canvas modules alone (992), compared to the average number of attendees in previous in-person orientations (400-500). Students are able to access modules on their own time and at their own pace. The program no longer competes with practicums, off-campus jobs, department events, or early classes. This also allows us to reach students who are solely online students.
–More information, centralized: 90% of respondents thought the orientation length was “just right” compared to only 67% in 2019. The in-person program was limited to one day, and it was difficult for students to get all of the information they needed. Our online modules deliver more clear (98% agreed online orientation modules were clear/intuitive) and detailed, useful information (97% agreed the content in the online modules was valuable) in an easy-to-use format. Students can now sift through what is useful for and relevant to them.
Attachments (if available)