About this resource
Following ‘lockdown’ from mid-March, members are now focused on getting ready for autumn and welcoming the new intake of students/learners.
Many organisations in FE and HE will have to run inductions remotely. How can you engage your learners and students and embed a sense of belonging so they feel part of the institution? What should you consider?
Member voices, surfaced through teaching and learning speakers and delegates at Connect More and other events, have highlighted the importance of an induction programme that supports online and independent learning for autumn 2020.
This resource has links to real practical examples of induction activity and is designed to help you develop your programme, whether your students are arriving on campus, learning from home or blending the two. It will be useful if you are concerned about introducing new learners/students to your organisation during this COVID-19 situation.
Scope
This guide is for senior leaders and anyone else in an HE or FE organisation who is responsible for planning, delivering or assessing induction programmes, including educators, library staff, teaching support staff and learning technologists.
Use it to:
- Address key challenges to induction caused by the COVID-19 situation
- Identify key questions that need to be explored to run a successful induction programme, remotely or across a hybrid of remote and ‘on-campus’
- Review and reflect on how you plan, design and deliver the programme against ideas and thoughts from other organisations
- Signpost further resources that support induction planning
Evidence and approach
We have worked with our members to develop this guide.
When we asked members what induction meant to their organisations many stressed the need to welcome learners, make them feel part of a community and help them feel comfortable in their new surroundings. They said induction is a new starting point and an opportunity to begin the ‘student experience’.
Members said they want to communicate with new starters, especially about what they need to know in their first term, the technologies the organisation can offer and the tools they may need to acquire for themselves.