Student orientations for online programs

Traditionally, higher education institutions have developed orientation programs that are designed to help students make a successful transition to college. Now, considering this flow of virtual students, universities offering distance learning programs have to design orientation programs suited for the students that will take distance courses. This article introduces the issues to be considered in designing an orientation for students in online programs and presents the strategies being used currently in some Internet-based courses. Orientation for online courses serve the same objectives as orientation for college, in the sense that it can facilitate academic and social interactions, increase student involvement, enhance the sense of belonging to a virtual learning community, and help retention.