One of my departmental colleagues used a 'treasure trail' as part of
student induction.

In teams of four, the students were asked to visit a range of places on
the campus where they collected pieces of information.  They also needed
to log onto the Department website to collect further information.  One
of the last things they were asked to do was to call at their mentor's
(i.e. academic advisor)office where, again, they collected a piece of
evidence to show that they had visited.  

As an induction activity, this has worked well.  Students got to know
others in their group and so formed friendship groups right from the
beginning of term.  Furthermore the treasure trail activities broke down
any barriers to visiting places like Careers Advisory Service or the
Library. 

Best wishes,

Isabelle Pottinger


-------------------------------
Isabelle B Pottinger
Academic Counsellor
Room 3.30 Gibson Craig Wing
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton 
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS

Tel: 0131 451 3062
E-mail: [log in to unmask]

________________________________

From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jan Sellers
Sent: 17 March 2005 12:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Student Induction and Academic Departments


Dear all,
 
Advice needed! I am looking for any examples of good practice during
(broadly speaking) student induction, where students are positively
helped to get to know their academic department, build a sense of
belonging and academic community within the department, get to know
staff and other students - anything that builds a strong and positive
sense of relationship with the academic department. 
 
Arising from participation in our Freshers' Working Party, I've been
asked to put togehter a web page of practical 'tips and tactics' to
support academic staff and departments in improving the ways in which
students connect with, and begin to feel part of, their department at
the beginning of the academic year. I hope to have a web page up and
running by 18th April. 
 
I won't have control over whether or not the web page is accessible from
outside the university, but I will ensure that the LDHEN Network has
access to the information and ideas I gather, perhaps through a Word
document.
 
Yours in hope,
 
Jan
Dr Jan Sellers
Coordinator, Student Learning Advisory Service
Unit for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching
University of Kent
Canterbury CT2 7NQ
Telephone: 01227-827124 or 824016