Posts tagged: online learners

Advising notes: A MAPP for consistency

July 30, 2011, by Steven R. Starks 3 comments

If you didn’t document it, then it didn’t happen.

This phrase speaks to the importance maintaining accurate academic advising notes. Documenting student-advisor interactions promotes continuity of service from one advisor to the next. The advising notes must tell a story that clearly outlines a student’s progress toward achieving academic and career goals and the services that have been provided to that student. Some advisors write a novel to document conversations whereas other advisors write so many abbreviations that reading their notes can be like deciphering a secret code.

Academic Advising TIP: Theory Into Practice

July 3, 2011, by Steven R. Starks 2 comments

There’s more than one way to do academic advising. We wear many hats. Sometimes we act as mentors/coaches who diligently guide students through their educational journey. Other times we function as expert consultants who provide information and offer advice. With all these different approaches, who determines which is best? Where do our ideas about “good” academic advising come from? Academic advising theory addresses these questions. So what’s your theory?

How to Build Relationships…At a Distance

July 2, 2011, by Steven R. Starks 5 comments

Building relationships with online students can be challenging for many reasons. Aside from the lack of face-to-face interaction, faculty and advisors may already have multiple responsibilities and roles within an institution, limiting the time they can invest in relationship-building. Moreover, cultural differences in communication styles influence how rapport is developed and adapting to them can be challenging. Still, some students may not realize the extent to which they must be self-directed in the learning process, which can fuel negative feelings when expectations are not aligned with reality. In person, faculty and advisors use body language to develop rapport (e.g. smile, eye contact, handshake). In online learning, however, that direct contact doesn’t exist. So how can we compensate for the distance that separates us from our students? What exactly must we do to build relationships at a distance?

Don’t Make Contact, Make Connections

June 26, 2011, by Steven R. Starks No comments yet

Academic advisors are in the business of relationships; it’s what we do. We talk to students about their future aspirations, prepare them for academic success, and help them navigate the labyrinth of university policies and procedures. For some reason however, when one talks about distance advising, the latest technology in academic advising dominates the conversation; as if the relational aspect of academic advising is irrelevant. Why is that?