Throughout the Applied Digital Learning program at Lamar, I have learned about becoming a change agent in my organization and classroom through the implementation of my innovation plan. My most recent endeavor on this journey was the opportunity to write and submit an article for publication. Below I have added a copy of my final draft to be submitted for publication to TCEA Blog and the ISTE Blog.

New Student Onboarding Publication Media Pitch

*Please bear with my voice. I was recovering from a cold when it was recorded. 🤧

New Student Onboarding Publication Final Draft

Onboarding New Students Mid-Year

Publication Final Draft

EDLD 5317

April 9, 2023

Transitioning from elementary to middle school is a huge milestone. Middle school administrators and guidance counselors will visit incoming students in the spring before the new school year. There are often school tours, open houses for parents, and fish camps in the summer. These events offer opportunities to alleviate some of the stress related to transitioning to a new school and help students feel connected to their new learning environment. However, I would argue that an overlooked population needs even more support - the “mid-year” student who arrives after school has started. One study estimated that in Texas public schools, even after excluding transitions from elementary school to middle school, almost 50% of children switch schools at least once between grades four and seven. Many of these moves are concurrent with dramatic changes in the family, such as divorce, marriage, death, employment status, and job relocation (Hanushek, Kain & Rivkin, 2001). In today’s technology-driven classrooms, schools must provide new students with the necessary training and knowledge to navigate their school’s devices, single sign-on (SSO), apps, and learning management systems (LMS). By taking a student-centered approach and involving current students in the onboarding process, schools can create a welcoming environment that supports the success of new students. This post discusses the preparation for onboarding new students and the benefits of putting student ambassadors in charge.

#1 Detailed Planning is Key

The key to successful onboarding is detailed planning. Student ambassadors should work with teachers and staff to understand the technology new students will need to use to be successful in their classrooms in their early days at school. Interviewing students who recently transferred to campus can provide valuable insights into their experiences and what they wish had been explained in the early days. Student ambassadors can also meet with ELL teachers, dyslexia teachers, and special education teachers to understand the specific websites, tools, and Chrome extensions these students will use.

#2 When will onboarding take place?

When onboarding new students, it is essential to consider when they will be arriving and what happens next. Student ambassadors can interview the registrar and guidance counselors to understand the steps taken when new students register for school. They can then collaborate with guidance counselors to create an onboarding schedule. Additionally, team members should discuss with administration and district IT support the timeline for new students accessing the SSO, LMS, grade book, and other applications and websites. A clear timeline will help ensure new students are not left behind due to technical issues.

By working closely with guidance counselors, teachers, and staff, student ambassadors can create a comprehensive onboarding process that addresses the specific needs of new students and ensures that they have the tools and resources they need to succeed in their new school.

#3 What makes a good onboarding process?

How-to or explainer videos can be a great way to introduce new students to the school's technology. Still, student ambassadors should research and discuss what makes a well-made explainer video and when a video is the best medium, and when instructional handouts and web-based resources are a better fit. Once student ambassadors gather the necessary information, they will consider how it will be presented to new students.

Benefits

Creating student ambassadors can provide many benefits and lessons learned. Giving ambassadors more purpose-driven interactions with teachers and staff can increase their sense of accomplishment and develop leadership skills while improving their research, interview, and discussion skills. Additionally, by creating videos, instructional handouts, and web-based resources, they can increase their technology skills and become more confident and proficient in using different tools and platforms.

Teachers and staff will benefit from this onboarding process. All new students will arrive with a basic understanding of technology in the classroom. This onboarding process will give teachers a baseline to customize further information based on their needs and decrease class flow interruptions when a new student arrives.

Thousands of students move to a different campus every year. This transition is incredibly daunting for mid-year students who may have experienced dramatic family changes, such as divorce, marriage, death, employment status, and job relocation (Hanushek, Kain & Rivkin, 2001). Creating student ambassador teams to onboard new students can be a valuable solution to help new students succeed in their new school. By taking a proactive approach and creating a thorough, organized, and student-led onboarding process, schools can create an environment where new students feel welcomed, supported, and more connected to their new school.

Supporting ISTE Standards for Students

1.3 Knowledge Constructor

Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

1.3.a

Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.

1.3.c

Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.

1.3.d

Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.

1.6 Creative Communicator

Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.

1.6.a

Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

1.6.b

Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.

1.6.c

Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.

1.6.d

Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.

References:

Hanushek, E. A., Kain, J. K., & Rivkin, S. G.. (2001). Disruption versus Tiebout improvement: The costs and benefits of switching schools. NBER Working Papers.

ISTE standards: Students. ISTE. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-students

Schwartz, A. E., Stiefel, L. & Cordes, S. A. (2017). "Moving matters: The causal effect of moving schools on student performance," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 12(4), pages 419-446, Fall.

Publication Guidelines:

TCEA Tech Notes Blog

Blog Specifications

• Posts should be 500-800 words.

• Include a short 1-3 sentence bio with your post.

• Include at least one high-res photo related to the content.

• Provide practical, ready-to-implement ideas instead of broad concepts.

ISTE Blog

Blog Specifications

We love to publish lively, engaging content that is clear and direct. Please read our ISTE blog to get a sense of our tone and style before you submit. We accept several types of content, including:

• How-to articles, 500-1,500 words

• Articles about digital learning trends, best practices, and innovations, 500-1,500 words

• Tips for using specific tools or techniques, 250-500 words

• “Best of” lists, such as specific tools, resources, apps

• Classroom, school, and district success stories, 500-1,500 words

• Video tips, 2-3 minutes