These are all things that members of the team at the LX.lab say make them feel at home, wherever they are in the world. Our team supports UTS academics to design great learning experiences using technology. Many of us are also students, recent students or teaching at UTS. Here are some of our top ideas for creating a sense of belonging for students – in class on online.
Matt Vella, Academic Video Support Officer and recent student
One idea for making students feel welcome:
If time allows, announce that you’re willing to stay back 15 minutes after class if anyone needs to ask you anything. It’s a small gesture, but it can mean a lot. Especially if students are having trouble understanding something about their work and don’t want to draw attention to themselves in front of other classmates.
One thing that always makes me feel at home wherever I am in the world:
The cinema, preferably watching something fun! 🙂
Wenes Gunawan, IML Learning Technologist for the Faculty of Law
One idea for making students feel welcome:
A short “Welcome from Your Subject Co-ordinator” video – why you’re passionate about teaching that subject, your background, your struggles when you were a student at uni, add humour.
One thing that always makes me feel at home wherever I am in the world:
A good mocha coffee i.e. FRESH coffee and REAL chocolate (not syrup), sometimes flavoured with mint or orange.
Emily Quinn Smyth, Learning Technologies Support Officer and postgraduate Science student
One idea for making students feel welcome:
I still clearly remember my first lecturer who told us something personal about himself at the start of the lecture. This instantly allowed me to feel as if he was a real person and therefore approachable.
One thing that always makes me feel at home wherever I am in the world:
Picture of my cat on my bedside table and a bookcase full of novels waiting to be read.
Mark O’Connor, IML Learning Technologist for the Faculty of Health
One idea for making students feel welcome:
For one online cohort in a postgrad Health subject, we ran a webinar and had each student introduce themselves by voice/video (using Skype for Business). This allowed everyone to get to know each person, and get a feel for their area of expertise/practice. That also allowed students to form groups best suited to their skill sets.
One thing that always makes me feel at home wherever I am in the world:
The singing of a blackbird. Never heard one in Sydney. Heard one in Melbourne one Easter. Tasmania is spoiled for them. How did they get here? Or were they here first?
Phil Mills, IML Learning Technologist for the Faculty of Business and experienced tutor
One idea for making students feel welcome:
Never ask students ice-breaker questions that will give information about where they live or where they went to school. This can lead to “postcode” or other shaming. Instead, ask students to introduce themselves on a discussion board, or in class, and tell the class something special about them. e.g. a language they can speak, a dish they make well, or a place, person or thing that is special to them.
One thing that always makes me feel at home wherever I am in the world:
Hearing an Australian accent.
For more ideas, check the ‘Bronze Silver Gold’ guide to designing welcome activities as part of Week 1. For help with creating these types of activities, drop in to see us at the learning.futures Academic Hub.
[…] experiences using technology. Many of us are also students, recent students or teaching at UTS. Following up from our previous post, our team share more of their top ideas for helping students get that feeling of being at […]
I completely agree with Phil, best is to ask about their abilities, languages they speak, so on.
That makes me also feel comfortable and confident