The Navigator is a direct link to connect students to non-content resources
This includes assisting students with using tools like Canvas 🐼, Zoom and other third party instructional technology and connecting them to college resources like tutoring and library services
Overview of the Navigator Program
A Brief Introduction 🎥
Watch this video for a brief explanation of the program:
The Purpose of the Navigator Program
Developed to support students when we transitioned to online and remote learning, the Navigator program is designed with the following goals:
Promote academic success through personalized service in an online environment
Help students stay enrolled and engaged with online learning
Help retain students after their online learning experience
Program History
The target courses were Developmental Education and gateway courses, which are courses required to attain certain degrees.
During the initial pilot program, the navigator was embedded into two developmental math courses (Summer 2020).
The navigator assisted with third-party materials for the courses, answered technology questions, and helped students with non-content related questions.
The pilot was extended for Fall 2020 and focused on 11 courses from math, English, and college success topics.
There were two navigators assisting these courses.
For Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and Summer 2022 we are expanding the pilot to other academic areas of the college.
As of Fall 2022, 14 navigators assisting in the following divisions: Academic Support, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business, Technology and Workforce Education and Adult Education.
Key Roles in the Navigator Program
Manager
A primary point-of-contact and resource for navigators and instructors interested in navigators
Navigator
A special-assignment role is filled by adjunct instructors with no teaching assignments and/or employees with special skills in select areas. Academic Support Coaches also serve as navigators.
Course Instructor
The instructor for the course that houses a navigator. This program is designed to help with retention in a course, along with giving students the tools and resources needed to be successful in that course. In this collaborative role,
Involvement is critical to champion this expanded pilot
Building an academic relationship with the navigator is important
Responsibilities, Duties, and Expectations of a Navigator
General Responsibilities, Duties, and Expectations
Navigators will be assigned and will be giving support to divisions through majors (i.e. STEM, Communications and Humanities, CTE, Adult Education, etc.)
The Navigator will be embedded in a course’s Canvas shell and will:
Connect students to Waubonsee and community resources
Monitor student performance to proactively refer students to Academic Support (Tutoring, Library, Academic Success Initiatives) and other departments on campus
Assist in support and problem solving with course LMS and other technical platforms during online learning
Provide students with strategies needed to be successful, self-regulated learners
Direct all content questions to the faculty
Maintain confidentiality at all levels
This special assignment will be in addition to their regular work duties
The assignment periods will be for Summer 2022 and Fall 2022
The assignment time commitment will be up to 5 hours dedicated to navigation each week (varies by discipline)
These 5 hours may also include additional training instead of course-related activity
Duties will be performed remotely unless by special request from a student
In-Course Responsibilities, Duties, and Expectations
Partner and regularly communicate with faculty to provide navigation that helps students overcome obstacles impeding academic success
Along with the instructor, run a people report to assess the effectiveness of the course
Check the Canvas inbox for announcements
Create and/or post announcements for the Canvas shell to inform students and connect them with course and campus services and resources. This information may include the following:
Upcoming important dates such as the administrative withdrawal date
Upcoming events such as Technology Tuesdays and Canvas/Zoom Q & A workshops
Youtube resource on “Zoom for Students”
Suggestions for class participation
Assist with the utilization of third-party learning applications. This may include the following examples:
Add content to the resources page in the course shell such as Registration Instructions for MyMathLab
Reach out to students who have not yet registered for MyMathLab
Reach out to students who need to upgrade their expired MyMathLab registration
Join each class during the regularly scheduled time and via Canvas to check if there are any questions or concerns from the students
Respond to student messages and find the correct resources for student interaction
Contact students who are not active in the course to assist with course navigation and connect them with resources that are available to promote student success
Follow up with students who have been unresponsive since resources were provided after their initial request for assistance
Monitor academically re-engaged students for a period of time to track academic progress
Outside-of-Course Responsibilities, Duties, and Expectations
Attend a monthly meeting with the program manager to train, discuss courses, and look opportunities to improve the program
Trained on TutorTrac through our Tutoring Center to summarize and outline activities, interactions and happenings within a course, including problems and solutions.
Consult regularly with Academic Support and Counseling and Advising to coordinate additional support needed for students and courses
Desired Competencies or Skills
Highly adaptable and creative in addressing student needs
Resourcefulness, with excellent problem solving and research skills
Requires empathy, compassion, and an understanding of the cultural and social backgrounds within the Waubonsee community
Excellent communication and the ability to establish trusting relationships
Excellent presentation skills in speaking with various audiences
Proactive and detailed oriented
Able to learn, adapt, and utilize new technology quickly
Open to change and new methods in the assigned areas of responsibilities
Ability to participate in a team-based approach to student success
Knowledge of support services available at Waubonsee
Bilingual in Spanish/English strongly preferred
Knowledge of academic content of assigned discipline preferred
Resources and Support for Navigators
General Resources
The Academic Support Resources for Students Canvas page has multiple resources available to help navigators do their best.
Navigators will have a group page on an Academic Support page, and instructors can decide if they’d like to dedicate space for the navigator in a course shell.
All students will have access to a Waubonsee’s Student Directory on the main webpage, which has a variety of information and resources for students.
The manager is available to support our employees serving in the Navigator role.
Information will also be provided on Teams.
Navigators may also utilize the following resources for support:
There are multiple ways for navigators to communicate with students:
Utilize the Announcements feature within Canvas
Utilize the Inbox/Email feature within Canvas
Utilize your WCC email address
Schedule Zoom meetings with students for 1:1 and/or class conversations
Requesting, Adding, or Becoming an Navigator in a Course
Faculty Request for a Navigator
Add a Navigator to a Course
A faculty member can add a Navigator to a course by following these steps:
Select People on the navigation menu:
Click on the +People button:
Select and Enter the email address or X-ID of the Navigator, select Navigator from the Role dropdown, complete any remaining preferences, and select Next:
The Navigator should then be added to the course.
Steps to Becoming a Navigator
Once a faculty member volunteers to have an online learning navigator in their course, a navigator completes the following steps:
Receives online training through Canvas with an assessment confirming knowledge and skill for the program
Participates in an individualized meeting to discuss the role, logistics, and specific classroom assignments or department assignments (i.e. STEM or Liberal Arts)
Meets with the faculty member to identify opportunities to help students
Participates in initial and ongoing trainings/meetings throughout the duration of the semester. Topics of study/training may include the following items:
