Innovations in Academic Advising: A Sakai CLE for Academic Advisors and Advisees

[Viewable at http://www.slideshare.net/markavandyke/sakai-2010-innovations-in-academic-advising]

Dr. Mark A. Van DykeAssociate Professor, School of Communication & the Arts

Dr. Reba-Anna LeeAssistant Director, Academic Technology and Learning

Marist College, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (USA)June 16, 2010

Contact: mark.vandyke@marist.edu

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Background

• Sakai … flexible, powerful, openo Sakai enables “powerful teaching and learning and research

collaboration” (Sakai Website).

• Sakai at Marist College … iLearno Innovative Learning & Research Network (launched 2006-09)o Pioneered “Collaborative Learning Constellation” concept (CLC)

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Marist Collaborative Learning Constellation*

1. Problem: Barriers to collaboration created by separate course sections, meeting times, and CLE sites

2. Solution: Central project collaboraton site connects orbiting course sites

3. Result: 70 students, 15 teams, 4 sections of 2 courses, spanning 2 semesters

4. Outcomes: Increased contact, cooperation and communication, authentic learning, time on task, use of student talents

*Click here for additional information about the Marist CLC

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Beyond Teaching, Learning, Research?

• Sakai and innovation in academic advisingo Teens spent 31 hours/week online in 2009 (TechCrunch)o “If academic advisors want to reach their advisees, and their

advisees are living in a digital world, then advisors need to become part of that world as well” (Gordon, Habley, & Grites, 2008, p. 303)

o “Counselors, advisors and faculty must not only … accept, but need to embrace technology” (Bellcourt, 1998, ¶ 2-3)

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Sakai’s CLE and Academic Advising

• Elements of virtual academic advising:o Fast, efficient communication, over great distances, 24/7o Flexible enough to adapt to individual student needso Powerful, fast, efficient management of large amounts of datao Open to establishing contact, building rapport, facilitating face-

to-face meetings (Bellcourt, 1998, ¶ 2-3)

• Sakai CLE … a good fit for virtual advisingo Flexibleo Powerfulo Open

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Building a Sakai Academic Advising CLE

• U.S. National Academic Advising Association Guidelines (for Web-based advising):o A clear and concise explanation of curriculum requirementso A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sectiono Informational pages for special populations/self help assistance o Links to related university siteso One-on-one access to advisors (Wagner, 2001, ¶ 4)

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Standards for an Advising CLE

• U.S. National Academic Advising Association Guidelines (for Web-based advising):o A clear and concise explanation of curriculum requirementso A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sectiono Informational pages for special populations/self help assistance o Links to related university siteso One-on-one access to advisors (Wagner, 2001, ¶ 4)

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Marist’s iCollaborate Advising Model

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Marist’s iCollaborate Advising Model

Clear, concise explanation of curriculum

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Marist’s iCollaborate Advising Model

o Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Marist’s iCollaborate Advising Model

Information for special populations/self help assistance

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Marist’s iCollaborate Advising Model

Links to related Marist sitesassistance

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Marist’s iCollaborate Advising Model

One-on-one access to advisors

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Marist’s iCollaborate Advising Demo

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Feedback From Advisees

Results of poll conducted spring 2010

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Feedback From AdviseesLast year, I implemented an iLearn project site to support our communication

and collaboration about academic advising. After using this site, how would you rate your satisfaction with this site as an academic resource?

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Feedback From AdviseesHow often a semester do you visit my iLearn site?

Comments: Very useful. The drop-box allows for the four year plan to be viewed and changed at any time.

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Feedback From AdviseesAs a tool for communicating and collaborating about academic advising, how how would you compare my iLearn advising site to other communication and

collaboration tools (e.g., e-mail, Marist Web site)? Feel free to add your comments.

Comments: Very useful. The drop-box allows for the four year plan to be viewed and changed at any time.

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Feedback From AdviseesWhat aspects of the iLearn advising site are you most satisfied with? Please use

the text box to explain your answer.

Comments: Very useful. The drop-box allows for the four year plan to be viewed and changed at any time.

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Feedback From AdviseesWhat aspects of the iLearn advising site are you most satisfied with? Please use

the text box to explain your answer. COMMENTS:

Comments: Very useful. The drop-box allows for the four year plan to be viewed and changed at any time.

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Feedback From AdviseesWhat aspect of the iLearn advising site are you most dissatisfied with?

Comments: Very useful. The drop-box allows for the four year plan to be viewed and changed at any time.

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Feedback From AdviseesWhat aspect of the iLearn advising site are you most dissatisfied with?

COMMENTS:

Comments: Very useful. The drop-box allows for the four year plan to be viewed and changed at any time.

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Feedback From AdviseesWhat changes or additions to my iLearn advising site would improve the academic

advising process for you? COMMENTS:

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Conclusion

√ Fast, Efficient, Powerful, Flexible, and Open!

Dr. Van Dyke,

I just wanted to thank you for creating such an awesome iLearn advising website. As a transfer student, I have found so much useful information that has helped guide me through my first semester at Marist. Your Study Abroad forum has been the most useful to me. I met students on here who shared their study abroad experiences in London, which had a large influence on my decision to study abroad next semester. I was also able find these students on Facebook and connect with them on even more. This allowed me to view pictures from their study abroad experience which was really cool!

Overall, just wanted to say thanks and tell everyone to really take advantage of this useful iLearn advising website created by Dr. Van Dyke!

Discussion Forum Comment by Student Advisee

Questions?