Introduction course for students allows more time for teaching

The introduction courses available in Canvas are intended to prepare new students for the beginning of their studies. Marko Stojiljkovic encourages more teachers to use them.

"The introduction course has resulted in fewer questions about administrative matters,” he says.

Marko is an assistant professor at the Department of Nursing and Health Promotion. Since the first introductory course was launched in 2022, he has noticed that the questions he receives from students are more subject‑related.

“The introductory courses help streamline the start of the semester for both students and staff,” he says.

The content

The Department of External Relations and Communication has created two different introduction courses: one for new bachelor’s students and one for new master’s students. Information about the courses is sent to students by email at the beginning of August, before the semester starts.

The Canvas courses consist of five modules. In both courses, students learn what they need to do to prepare for the start of their studies, where to find important information, and how to stay motivated throughout their programme.

The bachelor’s course introduces study techniques and the academic resources available to students at OsloMet. It also explains students’ rights and responsibilities.

The master’s course provides more detailed information about what it means to be a master’s student and how to work on a master’s thesis. The course also offers career tips.

“This is the only place where OsloMet tells students in writing what expectations we have of them in their role as students, and what expectations they can have of us,” Marko says.

Using the course in teaching

He uses the introduction course actively in his teaching. During the first week, he usually displays the course on a screen and shows students where to find it, how to log in, and where to locate information.

He has printed the course page that explains the difference between being a pupil and a student (oslomet.instructure.com). When supervising new students, he runs through the content with them.

He also reminds students about the course during seminars with smaller groups.

As a course leader, he encourage teachers to inform their students about the course.

“It is important that the programme management is involved in this. We must help students feel more confident to make the start of the semester less stressful,” Marko says.

Students are satisfied with the courses

OsloMet sent a survey to the recipients of the master’s course in autumn 2024. At that time, 26 percent responded that they were very satisfied with how the course prepared them for the master’s programme, and 43 percent said they were satisfied.

Marko believes there are four reasons why students are so satisfied:

Many new students feel insecure when transitioning from upper secondary school to university. Clear information found in one place can reduce stress.
Students learn early what expectations and requirements OsloMet has - and what they can expect in return.
The introduction courses provide an introduction to study techniques and information about where students can seek support.
Students know where to turn with administrative questions.

“In the long run, the introduction courses can help prevent dropouts,” Marko says.