We found 9 results that contain "onboarding"
Posted on: #iteachmsu
PEDAGOGICAL DESIGN
The importance of interpersonal engagement in an online master's degree program
Since 2017, the MSU Strategic Communication Online M.A. has been helping working professionals advance their careers with skills the marketplace demands. A tenet of the program has been the fostering of interpersonal engagement, by creating spaces for student-to-student interaction and student-to-staff interaction. Through surveys and interviews with current students, we measure the importance of program engagement for students by tracking the effectiveness of: various communication mediums and tools; and personal touchpoints with classmates and MSU StratCom staff.
To access a PDF of the "The importance of interpersonal engagement in an online master's degree program" poster, click here.
Description of the Poster
The importance of interpersonal engagement in an online master’s degree program
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to provide the Michigan State University Strategic Communication Online M.A. a summary of students’ perceptions of engagement in the program. This report focuses on the responses of currently enrolled students as of Spring semester 2021. Students voluntarily responded to a survey sent out via email and social media. Additionally, students were given the option to agree to a second phone interview for further insights. The report looks at engagement through students’ connection to each other, to staff and faculty, and facilitated through various tools and media.
Methodology
Survey Purpose and Methodology
To gain an understanding and perspective of students’ views on engagement in the StratCom program a written survey was sent by Daune Rensing, StratCom Student Advisor, via email.
The email was sent to the MSU email address of students currently enrolled in either the StratCom master’s or certificate program, on March 15, 2021.
Written reminders were sent March 22 and March 29.
A video reminder was posted by Jason Archer, StratCom Director, on StratCom’s Student Life, Teams and Facebook pages on March 29.
The 24-question survey was closed on April 2, extended from the original deadline of March 25.
Sixty-two responses were received with 2 incomplete surveys, resulting in 60 responses.
Phone Interview Purpose and Methodology
To expand the understanding and perspective students views on engagement in the StratCom program, a follow up phone interview was conducted. Forty students responded positively to a question on the survey asking if they would be willing to participate in a follow-up phone interview with a fellow student.
Limitations
The limited nature of the data set needs to be taken into consideration when weighing the meaning and significance of the insights reported here. The written surveys were completed by students enrolled anywhere from their first semester to last in the program, which may affect their perceptions of the program. All phone interviews were conducted by one person, which may result in some bias of interpretation.
Research Questions
To measure the importance of engagement in the StratCom program, the research questions in the survey and phone interview fell into three categories:
What tools and resources are important for student engagement in the StratCom program?
Do students feel the StratCom program is meeting their engagement needs?
What changes/improvements does the StratCom program need to make to meet students’ expectations?
Results
These graphs highlight responses to our first two questions of what students do value and what they don’t value, and that we are meeting their engagement needs. The conclusion, in more detail, addresses ways in which respondents feel StratCom can improve engagement.
Conclusion
Overwhelmingly, respondents felt that StratCom was meeting their engagement needs, in terms of tools used and connection to faculty and staff, and that it was an important part of their time in the program. To continue StratCom’s good start, some respondents had suggestions to strengthen their engagement experience even more:
Set expectations for tools and resources
More student onboarding
Intentional diversity throughout the program
Develop stronger bonds with fellow students and instructors
Standardization in the curriculum
Use the coursework to develop student-led engagement activities in the program
Future Work
Planning for StratCom’s future and creating a sustainable engagement model are themes respondents suggested. For instance, leadership contingency plans, consistency among courses and “keeping their finger on the pulse” of student needs and industry requirements were all important things to consider moving forward.
To access a PDF of the "The importance of interpersonal engagement in an online master's degree program" poster, click here.
Description of the Poster
The importance of interpersonal engagement in an online master’s degree program
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to provide the Michigan State University Strategic Communication Online M.A. a summary of students’ perceptions of engagement in the program. This report focuses on the responses of currently enrolled students as of Spring semester 2021. Students voluntarily responded to a survey sent out via email and social media. Additionally, students were given the option to agree to a second phone interview for further insights. The report looks at engagement through students’ connection to each other, to staff and faculty, and facilitated through various tools and media.
Methodology
Survey Purpose and Methodology
To gain an understanding and perspective of students’ views on engagement in the StratCom program a written survey was sent by Daune Rensing, StratCom Student Advisor, via email.
The email was sent to the MSU email address of students currently enrolled in either the StratCom master’s or certificate program, on March 15, 2021.
Written reminders were sent March 22 and March 29.
A video reminder was posted by Jason Archer, StratCom Director, on StratCom’s Student Life, Teams and Facebook pages on March 29.
The 24-question survey was closed on April 2, extended from the original deadline of March 25.
Sixty-two responses were received with 2 incomplete surveys, resulting in 60 responses.
Phone Interview Purpose and Methodology
To expand the understanding and perspective students views on engagement in the StratCom program, a follow up phone interview was conducted. Forty students responded positively to a question on the survey asking if they would be willing to participate in a follow-up phone interview with a fellow student.
Limitations
The limited nature of the data set needs to be taken into consideration when weighing the meaning and significance of the insights reported here. The written surveys were completed by students enrolled anywhere from their first semester to last in the program, which may affect their perceptions of the program. All phone interviews were conducted by one person, which may result in some bias of interpretation.
Research Questions
To measure the importance of engagement in the StratCom program, the research questions in the survey and phone interview fell into three categories:
What tools and resources are important for student engagement in the StratCom program?
Do students feel the StratCom program is meeting their engagement needs?
What changes/improvements does the StratCom program need to make to meet students’ expectations?
Results
These graphs highlight responses to our first two questions of what students do value and what they don’t value, and that we are meeting their engagement needs. The conclusion, in more detail, addresses ways in which respondents feel StratCom can improve engagement.
Conclusion
Overwhelmingly, respondents felt that StratCom was meeting their engagement needs, in terms of tools used and connection to faculty and staff, and that it was an important part of their time in the program. To continue StratCom’s good start, some respondents had suggestions to strengthen their engagement experience even more:
Set expectations for tools and resources
More student onboarding
Intentional diversity throughout the program
Develop stronger bonds with fellow students and instructors
Standardization in the curriculum
Use the coursework to develop student-led engagement activities in the program
Future Work
Planning for StratCom’s future and creating a sustainable engagement model are themes respondents suggested. For instance, leadership contingency plans, consistency among courses and “keeping their finger on the pulse” of student needs and industry requirements were all important things to consider moving forward.
Authored by:
Jason Archer, Beth Hoffman, Duane Rensing, Jennifer Trenkamp
Posted on: #iteachmsu
The importance of interpersonal engagement in an online master's degree program
Since 2017, the MSU Strategic Communication Online M.A. has been he...
Authored by:
PEDAGOGICAL DESIGN
Monday, May 3, 2021