Developing an online learning community
How can we begin developing an online learning community during onboarding for geographically distributed and time-poor AGSM ’ s part-time MBA students ?
We created an integrated Onboard Advantage program that kicks-off with a two-hour orientation conference in week 0 , followed by a series of webinars , personal touch points and other activities throughout a student ’ s first term at the AGSM .
Onboard Advantage : online onboarding program structure
Semester Week : 0 start 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A . Set-up for success |
Kick-off |
Wellness calls
ELISE quiz
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Progression Consults . . |
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Complete “ Get Started ” Checklist
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B . Connect with the AGSM community
C . Establish good study practices
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Orientation Conference |
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Time-saving study skills
‘ Blitzing ’ assessments
High perform study teams
Connect with your fellow students
Join AGSM Advantage extra-curricular sessions
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Explore Learning Toolkit |
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E . Thrive in your studies & beyond |
D . Build a career direction |
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Explore Careers Toolkit |
Know your strengths |
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Write a high-impact resume |
Create your online brand |
Legend : |
Webinars |
Quiz |
Self-paced |
Onboard Advantage : program elements
Online Orientation Conference
Build connection and address anxiety about returning to uni
• Students meet support team
• Two break-out sessions :
• Students share personal story
• Students share career story
Career workshop
Define studies in context of desired career direction
• ‘ Strengths finder ’ assessment
• Resume writing
• LinkedIn profile polishing
Future
“ Three coffees ” Socialising with other students
• Informal , optional catch-ups with other students
• Face-to-face or Zoom calls
Study skills webinars
Refresh study skills , often after many years in the workforce
• Time-saving study skills
• Blitzing assessments
• High-performing study teams
Development options for future
• Create social activity for geo distributed and time-poor students , possibly involving local alumni .
• Integrate “ Onboard Advantage ” and compulsory starter-course in Leadership into an integrated “ First 90 days ” program
• Design socialisation of students into every course
Feedback
Student Feedback
• “ The ability to make contact with other students was a great start .”
• “ I am very excited to be part of the AGSM community .. [ the conference ] It was extremely professional , educational , well structured , and engaging ”
• “ I enjoyed meeting the teams and fellow candidates . I think breaking us into smaller groups worked well to break the ice ”
• “ The onboarding conference [ was ] incredible … The session itself was interactive , innovative , engaging , and extremely well structured ”
• 100 % of respondents found orientation ‘ good ’ or ‘ very good ’
Dr . Maurizio Floris Director Part-time AGSM Programs
AGSM , Business School