National Louis University is responding to the need for training and communication with adjunct faculty by creating an adjunct orientation online. This training aligns with one of the milestones of the new strategic plan: "Develop increased support and orientation program for adjunct faculty." A letter requesting adjunct faculty participation in a month long, pilot online training was sent to some adjunct faculty a few months ago. The training began on February 26th for four weeks. An additional week was given to those adjuncts who needed the extra time to complete the orientation requirements. There was enough interest to open two sections of the orientation with 20 adjuncts participating in each group.
The purpose of the orientation is to increase our adjuncts' knowledge about National Louis University and expectations for best practices. The training offers a formal orientation to key information within the university and best practices to help new and continuing adjuncts feel connected and successful in their professional experience at NLU.
There are six modules to complete over four weeks. Each week has two assignments to complete within the week.
Week 1: Introduction and Orientation
Week 2: Human Resources and Academic Policies and Handbooks
Week 3: Reference Materials
Week 4: Best Practices
Participation in the orientation will become a requirement for future teaching assignments. Our hope is, with your involvement and feedback, this course will meet the needs of all adjuncts. This orientation is being suggested as a mandate during the hiring process for adjuncts. Feedback from the pilot orientation will be used to make improvements to future orientation sessions.
If you receive an invitation to take part in this orientation, we hope you will be able to join us in this exciting professional development with a flexible delivery model. This course is asynchronous. Participation each week is at your own pace. Upon successful completion of the orientation requirements, a recommendation will be made by the orientation facilitator for you to receive a "Certificate of Completion". If you are not able to participate in the course when invited, your name will be placed on a list for your future participation when the orientation schedule is finalized.
Here's What a Few of our Participants are Saying About the Pilot Orientation:
"I enjoyed the discussions and the immediate feedback available from other adjuncts and the facilitator. It would be great to have this discussion format during the semester as a way to connect with other instructors. Also, I enjoy Blackboard and appreciate the online format. The resources were great. I hope that this course will continue to be available afterwards. The assignments were helpful and gave me an idea of NLU expectations."
"Presenting it like an online discussion course is great. Not only do you have the opportunity to interact with other adjuncts - something you rarely get to do - but to compare your methods to the teaching methods of others. Feedback by the facilitator was typically timely and was constructive. Since I never went through an orientation before and have not been teaching at NLU very long, learning about adjunct benefits and measures to take when things don't go well in the classroom was extremely helpful."
"I hope that when the University switches from Blackboard to Desire2Learn, we will still be able to access this course!"
"The on-line resources like "Cool Tools" show many options that teachers have to make their courses come alive. Also, I liked the PDF files. And, I like the direction provided to teachers to know their benefits. VERY GOOD!"
