Download - You’ve Got a Friend :
Attracting, Welcoming and Supporting
the Adult Learner through Tailored
OrientationsMaryAlice Wade, Forsyth Library,
Fort Hays State University
You’ve Got a Friend:
Fort Hays State University
Location: Hays, KSTotal Enrollment: 13, 310On-Campus: 4, 746Virtual: 4, 975At Partner Schools in China: 3, 589
Source: 20th Day Stats, Sept. 17, 2012
26 % of FHSU Students areage 25 or older
74%
26%
Age of FHSU Students
Under 25
25 & older
This mirrors the national
trend of increasing numbers of
adult students
enrolling in college.
Age 25-29 Age 30-34 Age 35 +0500,000
1,000,0001,500,0002,000,0002,500,0003,000,0003,500,0004,000,0004,500,0005,000,000
1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 (projected) 2020 (projected)
Fig. : Adult Students Enrolled in Degree-Granting Institutions, by Age, Selected Years 1970-2020Source: United States, Dept. of Educ., Inst. of Educ. Sciences, Natl. Center for Educ. Statistics;
Digest of Education Statistics 2011; US Dept. of Educ., Sept. 2011; Web; 29 June 2012; table 200. http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d11/tables/dt11_200.asp
Nola Ochs, World’s Oldest College Graduate
Born: 1911
Graduated H.S.: 1929
Earned Bachelor’s Degree: 2007, age 95
Earned Master’s Degree: 2011, age 100,
2012: Writing a book, age 101
FHSU Nola!
Why hold a special orientation for Adult Learners?
• Anecdotal evidence of adult learners’ difficulty using electronic resources, and embarrassment that the research skills that had served them well in the past were no longer adequate.
• An orientation held in the evening, tailored for them, might increase their comfort level and make the library seem less threatening.
• Library orientations increase library usage (Andaleeb & Simmonds 633, Walsh 28)
Adding “Extras” for AdultsTo address the unique needs of adult learners, who may be juggling family, work, and school, we collaborated with other campus entities to present an all-in-one orientation:• Kelly Center (Mental Health &
Academic Success)• Financial Aid• Student Affairs• Virtual College• Admissions
All students age 25 and older were
invited via e-mail. Online registration
was encouraged but not required.
Attendees got T-Shirts & other
goodies provided by Student Affairs &
Kelly Center
The program:Held in the evening, in the library, the week before classes started
Library provided refreshments and demo’d library resources
Kelly Center staff did a presentation on Study Skills, Balancing Work & Home Life, Getting Involved, Procrastination
Videotaped and posted on FHSU web site
Live-streamed so Distance Students could participate—we actually had more virtual participants than “live” ones!
Information Provided• The wide array of student services and how to
access them• Information about Blackboard and the Virtual
College• Campus tours and “class crawls” that help
students locate their classrooms• Financial Aid• Study Skills, time management, and self-care• Technology help and equipment checkout
procedures• Navigating the Library’s web site and accessing
Library Resources both on and off-campus
Adult Learners’ LibGuideIncludes standard library content, plus• FHSU
Departmental and Admin contacts
• Services to help them succeed at FHSU
• Virtual College & Computer Help
• Orientation Videohttp://fhsuguides.fhsu.edu/adult_learners
LiveStream: http://livestream.com
http://bit.ly/RgIqmf
Free version
has ads.
Hardware Used:Canon HDV Vixia HV40 Digital Camcorderconnected by Firewire to a PC or MacBook Pro
Video Shotgun Mic from Rode Microphones
Tech Tips learned:• The live streaming of events has been a learning process. The
camcorder and computers use a lot of battery power during recording so we plug them in during events.
• We also make sure we are prepared with extra batteries for the microphone and play out a lot of what if scenarios when we pack our gear for a shoot.
• The cords are often a hazard so we use neon duct tape so that they are brighter and more noticeable to others.
• We’ve put together a live streaming kit that includes the camcorder and cords, the computer and power source, firewire cable and adapters if needed, extra DV tapes and batteries for the microphone. We also carry our own power strip in case one is not available at the event location.
~Dr. Cynthia Garrety, FHSU Coordinator of the Learning [email protected]
Plans for next year
• Working on ideas to make it more interactive, less of a lecture format
• Perhaps have a current or former adult learner speak about their experiences, and give advice
References & Image SourcesAndaleeb, Syed S., and Patience L. Simmonds. “Usage of Academic Libraries: The Role of Service Quality, Resources, and User Characteristics.” Library Trends 49.4 (2001): 626. Academic OneFile. Web. 28 June 2012.
Knife-juggling woman image: Collection of Art References blog: http://collectionofartreferences.tumblr.com/post/14390145759/cool
Images of FHSU and Nola Ochs: www.fhsu.edu
Nola LOL: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/119432
LibGuides: http://springshare.com/libguides
Created by MaryAlice Wade, Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
October, 2012 [email protected]
