Who is the guide for?
This guide is for all colleagues that are involved in induction processes. It will be especially useful for new colleagues who are unfamiliar with induction, or current course leaders as a refresher, to aid the preparation and production of materials and communications to new student cohorts.
What is induction?
Induction is a fundamental process which ensures students are provided with an array of information and resources to support their student journey. The induction should be consistent and include pre-arrival communications and engagement opportunities on campus (some may be delivered and supported online) that provide information aligned to the students’ academic programme. This includes everything students need to know about the course, how it will be delivered and how they will be supported in their academic studies.
The induction process is designed to ensure new students are supported in their transition to higher education and are fully prepared for their studies. Through the process, students will meet their peers, academic tutors and wider support staff so that they have a sense of belonging, feel part of the University community and understand it’s values.
Ultimately, this should provide multiple opportunities for students to be ready to start their studies, understand their objectives and be confident of achieving their goals.
Step 1 - Pre-arrival
The pre-arrival of all students is the start of an important relationship between them and the University and will set the ambience between course leader and student. Students will be experiencing many emotions and it's important that they feel part of the University community, culture and values to be ready to embark on their student journey.
Personal Welcome Communications to Students
Students receive several centrally managed communications from the University in relation to their online registration/enrolment and other requirements in preparing for arriving at the University.
As part of their pre-arrival, the Course Leader should initialise their own welcome to the course through email communication that provides a personalised approach and instigates the relationship between them.
Course Handbooks and Reading Lists
Before the students arrive and during the induction process, the Course Leader should provide students with the Course Handbook and reading lists. This allows the student to be given the opportunity to initiate their academic reading and advances their preparedness for the course. The Handbook provides an overarching introduction to the course and should outline several sections such as structure, expectations, assessment strategies and student support. The following link provides an example of the Course Handbook for your Academic School.
In addition to the Course Handbook, reading lists should be provided which allows students to prepare for the course and this can be provided through the Student Life Information Hub or ‘Welcome Email’. There is further guidance available on Page 20 of the Guidance for Course Teams for the Validation of New and Periodic Review of Courses including Collaborative Provision.
In addition, you may wish to contact your Academic Librarian.
Pre-Arrival Task
To prepare our students and as part of the welcome to University/Course, a pre-arrival task can be offered. The purpose of this is to develop and prepare the student for their arrival and academic study. The pre-arrival tasks can be varied, and this may depend on the course.
Pre-Arrival Tasks could identify the following:
- address knowledge gaps to enhance preparation
- assure students who may be experiencing stress or anxiety
- identify motivations/aspirations of students
- strengthens the learning community/culture for your course.
Pre-Arrival Tasks could involve:
- academic task related to subject – written, numeracy, poster presentation, reflection, etc
- using aims, goals and objectives – Kolb, Gibbs etc
- use of Word Cloud – themes related to the course. Top Tips for Pre-Arrival Task
- activity should be kept ‘light’ and should initiate an introduction to academic work for your course
- should be associated with topics taught on the course
- engage students on an academic level and reflective nature.
Please note that this is optional and not a compulsory part of the student induction process. This will be entirely dependent on the nature of the course.
Student Life Information Hub
The Information Hub is divided into three sections:
- Pre-Arrival
- Welcome Week
- Post Induction
The concept behind the Information Hub, is to provide the student with a step-by-step guide for their induction. This includes timetables, IT systems guides, orientation information and pertinent links and information to support the student life cycle.
Step 2 - Induction Preparation
Course Leader Orientation
As Course Leader, it’s important for you to be familiar with the University resources and support services that are available to your students.
Student Life
Student Life is the one-stop shop for help and support “outside of the classroom” from accommodation, student finance, welfare, health and well-being, faith and reflection, IT support and disability advice. Further information can be found here.
Students’ Union
The Students’ Union (SU) can help students in a range of ways including access to a variety of clubs and societies, hosting student events, advice on academic appeals and much more. The SU is based in the campus heart and during term time is open seven days a week (times vary during University holidays). For more information, please visit Teesside University Students' Union.
Library and Learning Hub
The Library provides a range of services for students including the Learning Hub which offers a variety of academic workshops interactive tutorials and bitesize guides.
English Language Centre
Teesside University English Language Centre (ELC) support international students to develop their academic writing and study skills through structed sessions such as in-sessional courses and tutorials. Students can also visit the English Language Cafe for a more relaxed way to improve language and communication skills.
School Induction Offer
Induction should set students up for success from the very beginning. An engaging and successful induction should cover the whole student experience and include four main areas:
- Academic - e.g. meet the team, course outcomes, assessments, feedback etc
- Personal and Social - e.g. University support services, Students’ Union activities and support, team building etc
- Administrative - e.g. collection of TUSC cards, access to all University systems such as Blackboard, health and safety, etc
- Geographic - e.g. campus and/or town tour, where to find support services, safety, visits away from the University etc
All of these areas should be included in your induction, but your programme should be tailored to your course and students. For example, where a course includes work placements, a talk from an employer may be useful to include.
University Community and Expectations
Feeling part of the community and setting and managing students’ expectations of academic life, helps them settle into their new journey. This supports engagement with their studies and improves confidence when asking questions or reaching out for support. Activities which bring students together and help them to form social groups are essential, such as, team building activities, treasure hunts, visits, discussion groups or course related challenges, and should be included in your induction timetable.
Setting and managing students’ expectations of university life including expected behaviour and engagement is also crucial. This is because they will arrive at university with a range of prior learning, personal experiences and varying knowledge of higher education. Providing information on essential study skills, course outcomes, attendance, interaction in class, engagement with peers etc will ultimately help students understand the expectations and build their confidence.
Central Services Induction Offer
A number of University key departments/services are available to hold welcome sessions for your students during induction. All of the sessions will provide essential information and guidance to help students successfully start their journey.
iPad Collection: Students are provided with a booking link to book a timeslot to collect their iPad.
TUSC Collection: Either your School or Admissions will communicate with students on the location of TUSC Collection this is dependent on the course of study. International students collect their TUSC after completing document checks. Students must book a document check which can be completed on the enrolment portal.
Overview of Central Department Sessions
Digital Welcome (Induction Week) - 1 hour
An introduction to the IT systems, resources, facilities and Services within the University. It explains how students login to systems, what help and training is available, how to access their email, where to store their data and how to stay safe in the digital world with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).
Study Well with your iPad (Week 1) - 2 hours
A fun and interactive session for your students, providing them the necessary skills/knowledge to use their iPad efficiently and effectively for learning. Explore the Toolkit apps, stay organised and learn how to use OneNote as a digital Notebook, dividing it into sections and pages. Insert a PowerPoint presentation, annotate and make notes during the session. Brainstorm ideas, take a picture or create a video and use it as a reflection tool.
English Language Centre
The English Language Centre (ELC) provides a range of services to our International students, focused on three key areas: pre-sessional English courses, pre-entry testing of students' language ability and in-sessional academic skills support. Our in-sessional offering comprises bookable one-to-one tutorials for support with written assignments, drop-in academic skills workshops and an introduction to Language Café. In addition, academics from any School can book ELC tutors to speak to their students about the importance of academic integrity and how academic misconduct can be avoided. Academics can also book ELC tutors to deliver discrete skills sessions, for example, Harvard referencing or essay structure.
Student and Library Services (Induction Week)
SLS will provide an overview of Student and Library Services including Student Futures and Disability Services. They will cover library resources including Discovery.
Study well with your library resources (Week 2)
SLS will provide an overview of library resources. Both these sessions are available to Undergraduate and Postgraduate students in SACI.
Students' Union and SUSS (Induction Week)
This session will be delivered by the elected officers who will explain the range of activities available through the Students' Union. A member of SUSS will be provide an overview of their service with a focus on academic misconduct. Where applicable they can cover Fitness to Practise.
Step 3 - Induction Week
Induction Week can be very exciting for students however some may be feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. Therefore, it’s important that students are welcomed and provided with reassurance. As outlined previously within Step 2, you will be aware of what your students will be attending and at what time and all this information should be included on their Induction Timetable.
Orientation of Students
The purpose of orientation is to provide students the opportunity to visit the University, embrace its culture and to allow them to feel empowered about their transition to Higher Education. As part of this orientation, Course Leaders are responsible for preparing a ‘Welcome’ talk as part of the student’s introduction to their course. Below is a list of topics you may wish to include as part of this:
- course overview, modules and structure
- attendance and expectations
- practice placements/professional experience
- additional requirements – professional body standards.
Please be aware that any practical activities need to be aligned to University Guidance in relation to Health and Safety. In addition, you may like to record your Welcome presentation using Panopto for students who are unable to attend and can be accessed later.
Campus/Rooms/Tour
All students will benefit from an academic led campus tour of the University. The tour should cover the relevant locations aligned to their studies but should also consider essential services such as Student Life, Student Union, the Library, the Gym and all School Buildings.
Within the Induction week you will be allocated rooms by the Timetabling Team. If you are a new member of the University, you may want to get to know the Campus and the rooms allocated for your Course and Induction. Please familiarise yourself with the campus map.
Please note that rooms will be allocated based on the expected student numbers that you have supplied. If there are any issues with your room booking or you have a query in relation to timetabling, please contact the Timetabling Team.
Course Team including opportunities to meet
All students should be offered the opportunity to meet the Course Leader and the Course Team. You may want to include photos of the Course Team within the Course Handbook to allow students to familiarise themselves with their academic tutors. Please ensure that all contact details are included with each photo.
Within Welcome Week, you will have allocated time to meet the students and introduce them to the Course Team. This can be in any format you wish to use, and you may like to include a coffee morning or a Q&A session. Please note that this should be separate from the students meeting their Personal Tutor.
In addition, you may wish to include specialist speakers to be included within Welcome Week. This may be related to the specialism or professionalism of the course.
Regulations and Expectations at HE level
Within Welcome Week, students should be introduced to expectations and responsibilities within their studies, and this could be included within your Course Welcome. In addition, you may wish to include documentation on your Blackboard Ultra Support Site; examples could include email etiquette or professional codes of conduct.
In addition, the students should be introduced to student regulations. If you wish to include these within your Course Welcome or Blackboard Support Site – links can be located here.
Student Reps/Mentors – Opportunities to Meet and Speak to Current Students
Peer to peer support can form part of the support network, so you may like to include a student speaker within your course induction for new students. It is beneficial to meet current students, and to be given the opportunity to hear about their experiences. The benefits establish good communication channels, encourage supportive communities and enhance motivation. More information about Student Representatives can be found on the Students' Union Website.
Online Tools
During Welcome Week, students will be introduced to several University systems and there will be several demonstrations and guidance on how to use these –detailed below.
MyTU
MyTU is the student’s information hub following Welcome Week. This includes several elements such as Campus Map, Timetable, Library Loans, Module Evaluations and Balances. In addition, there are links to University Systems such as StREAM and ARC (SHLS Students only). MyTU is where students log their attendance for classes, seminars or lectures they attend. They will receive a four-digit code from the Module Leader to enter which confirms their attendance.
E-Vision
E-Vision contains information that students can access to update their personal details, download standard letters, access ratified results and locate graduation details. In addition, this is the system in which they enrol and re-enrol onto the course.
StREAM
This software is a diagnostic tool which monitors student engagement Course Leaders and other departments can enter ‘interactions’ with the student which assists with the continuous monitoring process of student engagement.
Blackboard Ultra Support Sites
Blackboard Ultra is the digital tool that supports student’s learning whilst at the University for all Course and Module materials. As part of Induction, you may like to create a course support site to reaffirm the information relating to the Course and anything relayed in Welcome Week. If you would like to have a support site created, please speak to your School’s Administrative Team.
If you need any assistance in creating material or any issues you encounter with Blackboard Ultra, please contact the Digital Transformation Team. In addition, there are guidance materials to support creation of content, Panopto and other items – should you need them here. If you need any additional information or guidance, please click here.
For any other queries you may have please view the FAQ section at the end of this guide.
Step 4 – Post Induction Week
Transitions
University involves a series of new experiences and transitions for students. This not only includes transitions progressing between years but for some students speaking in a seminar, presenting, etc can all be skills that they have not developed or utilised previously.
Students need to be equipped with the skills to learn and succeed at HE level but must also be provided with support where needed, including late starters, carers, international students, etc. It is also important to remember that just because a student has experienced a certain aspect of university life, for example presenting, report writing, group work, etc, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are confident or capable in this area.
As term progresses you may also want to ask your students for feedback on their experience of welcome week and what support they feel would be beneficial as they progress through their student journey.
On-going support
In Section 2, we detailed the range of support that is available for students across the University throughout their time here at Teesside. It is useful at key times in the academic year to remind students of these services and encourage them to access support if needed. In addition to this further support to assist students is available from the Student Journey Team and Student Success Team.
Student Journey Team
The Student Journey Team (SJT) will be running late induction and orientation for any students who miss Welcome Week. These sessions will ensure students; are aware of support services, have access to IT systems, experience a campus tour and have a better understanding of their journey ahead. We e-mail any students who have missed Welcome Week to invite them to a late induction/orientation session, but you can also share this information with your students on Blackboard and/or refer anyone who you think would benefit.
The SJT also run drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments in the Student Life building. These sessions give students an opportunity to meet the team, provide feedback on their learning experience and receive support on a range of topics from how to complete an extension form to accessing university support services. They can be contacted through email at: studentjourney@tees.ac.uk
Alongside our drop-in sessions we collaborate with the Student Success Team to offer themed support events across the academic year. We will be in touch prior to these events with further information.
Student Success Team
The Student Success Team (SST) provides bespoke, high impact, one-to-one interventions to support those students who find themselves thinking about withdrawing from University for academic reasons, or for those who feel that they no longer have the motivation or confidence to continue with their studies.
Bespoke one-to-one sessions for students at risk of disengaging include the following key areas:
- academic writing
- academic skills
- numeracy
- engaging students in wider University life
They run drop in advice and guidance sessions in the CreatorLab (SLB1.15) in Student Life building. Contact studentsuccess@tees.ac.uk to book virtual ‘drop in’ appointments and to answer any queries.