Orientation/Design blueprint

Metadata for the course or learning resource

 * Level: Any student new to ABC Institution
 * Discipline(s): Any
 * Notional learning hours:  1 to 2 hours
 * Credits:  Not a credited course
 * Credential(s): Enrolled as a new student at ABC
 * Hashtag: GetReadyABC

Intended target audience
Students (at all levels) who are new to ABC (i.e. this is their first enrolment at ABC or there has been a significant gap in their enrolments). Resources recommended for all students, whether their programme is face-to-face, blended, or fully online.

Any prerequisite knowledge required
Students should have received their student ID number and temporary password. They should know which ABC course(s) they have enrolled in (by course name and/or number).

They also need access to an internet connection, and basic web-browsing skills (step-by-step instructions to be provided for anything that is specific to ABC Institution).

Aims:
To acquire and demonstrate some (non-programme specific) introductory skills and knowledge which will help learners prepare for and settle into student life at ABC Institution.

Outcomes:
Learners will be able to:
 * Log in to their ' My ABC ' account
 * Check (and update if necessary) key information (including, for example, contact details, current courses (including programme and study pathway), student fees information, and so on)
 * Create an ' ABC Online ' profile
 * Interact with course-mates in an online forum
 * Navigate the ' Student Central ' website
 * Practise using the timetable web tool
 * Access the library website and use ' My ABC library '
 * Access other useful resources (e.g. Student Support, Health & Counselling, ABC Student Association...)

The proposed development and delivery approach
The course will be based principally on
 * feedback received during previous student orientations around what people wish they had known earlier, and
 * feedback from staff (both academic and general) around the most common (non-subject specific) questions they are asked during the first few weeks of any new semester

The mini-course is designed to be a positive experience which introduces users to some of our key resources. Users will be able to work through the materials at their own pace. A variety of activities will be designed to achieve the stated learning outcomes. These will include some digital skills challenges (such as finding key information on the ABC website, including the ' Student Central ' page, the library site, the timetable tools, and so on), and an introduction to our online learning resources.

The course presumes average computer literacy using standard office applications, web-navigation, and the ability to register accounts for open web services.

Assessment strategy
There is no formal assessment. Students will be able to complete mini-tasks to check their understanding of materials and to help them become familiar with key webpages within the ABC website.

Student-content interactions:

 * Each learning pathway will incorporate short video or animated signposts to provide students with an orientation or stimulus for each of the major topics.
 * Learners will work through a series of learning pathways designed for independent, self-paced study.
 * Each learning pathway will incorporate one or more learning challenges. These will comprise self-marking mini-quizzes or short tasks.
 * Learners will also create their ' ABC Online ' profile and introduce themselves to their course mates.

Student-support interactions:

 * Students will be encouraged to use a peer-support question-and-answer forum for addressing support questions.