Advisement and Counseling
Strategies for Online Learners in Advanced Degree
Programs
Cheryl L. Ward, Ph. D.University of Akron
Ohio
Session Description
Online learning provides convenience for learners who work all day, but connecting with students for advising and counseling in traditional face-to-face office meetings is challenging. Synchronous online tools have provided much needed social presence and opportunities for connections that are convenient for all.
OR……
What do you do when you have 150 advisees who teach all day and can only meet after 4:30pm and do not want to drive and PARK on campus??
Online Learners
Expect 24/7 access
Expect prompt responses
Want online access to all forms and information
Make decisions quickly, have limited time to make decisions and complete requirements
Need advising time in WAVES of need!
Advising Waves
Registration time
Summer Advising –teachers are off in the summer and can pay attention
Fall new admissions to program
When ePortfolios are due March 15, July 15, November 15
Discuss 3 types of advising
Accessing Advising Information
Interacting and Accomplishing Advising Tasks
Solving Advising Issues and Problems
Accessing Advising Information
Regular public website versus Program PortalPortal contains resources for
active and inactive students accepted into the program
IT Master’s Blog
IT Master’s Program Portal
Program Portal Content
The “infamous” blue folder goes digital!
Content to help support and extend learning
Online Discussions in Portal
One question answered advantages many!
Learners will answer questions!
More experienced learners help the newbies.
Online students feel part of a group for support and human contact.
IT Master’s Program Blog
• Widget driven• Embedded in portal• Students can RSS
Interacting and Accomplishing Advising Tasks
E-mail, cell phone, texting
Instant messaging in the LMS/Portal
Online Synchronous Advising Sessions
Paging/ Instant Messaging
Paging feature in the LMS and portal area
See who is working make personal contact
Synchronous Web Conferencing
Cohort Advising
Recording link:https://sas.elluminate.com/mrtbl?suid=M.8C8DA5980798D7780FEFF16503A329
Collaborative documents
Collaborating on documents online
Google Docs enables you to work together on the document and saves the changes on one document
Student can see your work and add their own ideas and changes
Student and advisor immediately have a copy
Students can sign with a signature image or print, sign and send back through snail mail
Online Advising Session Scenario
Make online appointment confirmed with e-mail directions
Prepare documents in Google Docs for synchronous work
Meet in Elluminate or other synchronous tool
Provide resources, allow time for discussion and questions, complete tasks, ensure student is comfortable
Invite participation in the Portal for additional information
Invite to campus meeting if needed
Solving Advising Issues and Problems
Usually simple is better—cell phone quicker than e-mail Cell phone with access to Google Docs and
Portal to navigate together and show documents etc.
Elluminate with video—face to face meeting. You can read body language, see facial expressions, see frustration. Personalized attention with video
Face-to-Face at a common location, if campus is not convenient. I have done cohort groups at Panera
Data on these strategies
Data have been gathered from learners who participated in the program before and after the implementation of the synchronous advising, counseling and information sessions. Interview and survey data indicate that the addition of these sessions has improved student achievement on the field experience and ePortfolio artifacts, increase student satisfaction with the program and with their own learning, and increased the number of students interested in the program through cohort recruitment.
‘What is next?Step into Second Life
Experimenting with Second Life for advising
Huge learning curve for inexperienced
Time consuming and skill dependent
At this point we think simple may be better for advising!
Questions and Comments
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