Hi Gary,
We work with a consortium of 30 different centres. The steps below summarise some of what we do to ensure that students are made to feel part of the University: -
-An academic member of staff is allocated to each centre as liaison tutor
-All students are 'aware' of the systems that they have access to and how the systems relate to their course. (Including VLE, Email, Library)
-LT staff visit/induct students on systems that the University provides and tells them that they are university students
-Handbooks/materials online are very specific for these students
-All off-campus students receive University ID cards with photographs
-Have network meetings once a month where the tutors or centre managers come to the University to discuss developments for the course(s) and other aspects
-All teaching staff in centres are aware of the benefits of University systems
-We have a module that is a cross-centre module taught online with a 2 day conference at the end of the module as assessment. The students have to attend the University for the conference. This module involves cross-centre grouping and a fair bit of discourse with a presence of Facebook for those keen communicators.
So it's a mixture of technology and people. I hope this helps and relates to what you originally asked. By the way, we have tried a full blown 'technology only' method a few years ago and it just didn't work. Maybe we could try that again in a few years.
The main issues were related to the different systems, processes and cultures across the Consortium.
Jebar
-----Original Message-----
From: Blackboard/Courseinfo userslist [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Usman, Salman A
Sent: 15 April 2010 10:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: (O/T - Slightly) Making Off-campus learners feel part of the University
Hi Gary,
This may not specifically address your query but picking up on Andrew's mention of pre-enrolment, I know of two UK universities that are using online discussion forums to address queries students have prior to joining the university. These are:
University of Falmouth - Forums can be viewed at http://helpme.falmouth.ac.uk Edge Hill university - Forums can be viewed at http://hi.edgehill.ac.uk/forum/
Off-campus students can have an online social space similar to the above.
Another way to make off-campus learners feel part of the university can perhaps be to send a regular e-digest of university news to their inboxes, similar to what some of the Alumni associations do. Besides news, the digest can have information from student support departments e.g. Forthcoming workshops by Careers and Employability, Health scare warnings (Swine Flu) and prevention from the Health and Counselling Department etc.
Hope this helps.
Salman
_________________________________
Salman Usman
Academic E-learning Developer
Kingston University London
-----Original Message-----
From: Blackboard/Courseinfo userslist [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andrew Raistrick
Sent: 15 April 2010 08:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: (O/T - Slightly) Making Off-campus learners feel part of the University
Hi Gary,
We are currently looking at similar issues ourselves, with a specific focus on pre-enrolment.
We spoke in depth to Becka Current at Bradford who has a implemented a Ning S/N Uni-wide.
She was very helpful, and I would highly recommend having a chat with her.
Below is an article from The Time HES on her S/N achievement.
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=409966
Hope this helps
Andy
________________________________________
From: Blackboard/Courseinfo userslist [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of CLAY Gary M [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 April 2010 14:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: (O/T - Slightly) Making Off-campus learners feel part of the University
Silly me - I missed the subject line last time so I'm sending this again...
Slightly off topic but I'd be interested to learn what different institutions do to address how non-campus-based students could be made to feel part of the University and integrate with each other, their tutors and the University?
--------------------------------------------------
Gary Clay
Learning Development Manager
Learning Development and Innovation
Staffordshire University
Beaconside Campus
Stafford ST18 0AD
Telephone +44 (0) 1785 353648
e-mail [log in to unmask]
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