20-Minute Mentors

Onboarding Meetings: Building Connection and Success from Day One

In this Magna 20-Minute Mentor, Dr. Christine Rizzo, Assistant Professor at Colorado State University, offers strategies on how to structure an onboarding session, identifies essential content to include, and provides a customized format based on course goals.

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Onboarding Meetings: Building Connection and Success from Day One

Starting the semester can be a challenge, especially in online courses where students often feel disconnected and unsure of what to expect. Without a clear introduction to the course structure, expectations, and support systems, students may struggle with engagement and motivation from the very beginning. These early frustrations can quickly snowball, leading to confusion, missed assignments, and a lack of confidence that impacts their overall success.

Our 20-Minute Mentor program offers a straightforward solution by showing instructors how to design and implement an effective onboarding. Led by Dr. Christine Rizzo, this session provides a practical, step-by-step approach to welcoming students into the course with clarity and connection. In just 20 minutes, instructors will learn how to craft a tailored onboarding experience that sets the tone for the semester, reduces early-semester hurdles, and fosters stronger student-instructor relationships from day one.

LEARNING GOALS

After viewing this Magna 20-Minute Mentor, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the purpose and value of onboarding meetings in online courses 
  • Identify essential components to include in an effective onboarding meeting 
  • Design a personalized onboarding meeting that aligns with course structure and objectives 
  • Evaluate the potential impact of onboarding meetings on student success and engagement 
  • Implement practical strategies for facilitating and sustaining onboarding meetings throughout the semester

TOPICS COVERED 

  • Common challenges students face at the start of online courses
  • Key elements of an effective onboarding meeting
  • Instructor strategies for building early connection and trust with students
  • Options for delivering, recording, and grading onboarding meetings
  • Methods for promoting student accountability and follow-through after the meeting

AUDIENCE

This program will benefit:

  • Online faculty and instructors
  • Instructional designers 
  • Faculty developers 
  • Academic program coordinators 
  • Directors of online learning or distance education 

Product Code: PM25JA

Campus Access License

With the purchase of the optional Campus Access License, registrants are granted a license to download the program contents to a password-protected network, server, or website for additional staff use. You will receive information on downloading the contents of the program within 3-5 business days after payment has been received by Magna.

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*On-demand access begins on date of purchase.

If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may cancel the order within 30 days of purchase and receive a full refund.

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