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Many colleges and universities have adopted first-year seminars as the centerpiece of their approach to FYE. This webinar will explore innovative ideas and practical strategies for developing a multi-faceted yet cohesive FYE program that can include seminars but also focus on other strategies that fit your unique student and institutional context. We will explore the benefits of harnessing peer-to-peer education, experiential learning, out-of-class faculty interaction with students, learning…See More

Many colleges are asking students to assist each other in their learning by providing peer coaching and feedback. It is a growing trend and can be an incredibly beneficial tool in the classroom both for student and instructor, but are students being led to do it well? How do you help your students develop the skills they need to make peer feedback and coaching a meaningful and productive experience and not destructive? How do you teach them to use the feedback for progress and growth?This…See More

Measuring what students are learning in co-curricular, extra-curricular and support programs is now a part of student affairs professionals’ reporting protocol. Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are a critical aspect of identifying and measuring student learning both in and out of the classroom. Additionally, SLOs are a requirement by most, if not all, accreditation agencies. Where do you start? How do you write an effective Student Learning Outcome? How do you actually measure the SLO? What do…See More

In times of shrinking resources and greater accountability in higher education, it is imperative that proponents of advising justify the claim that advising makes a difference in the lives of students. This session will introduce the processes involved in the assessment of academic advising. It will include rationale for assessment and definition of assessment terminology. In addition, a five-stage model for assessment will be discussed. The model includes:Integrating assessment with…See More

In ACT’s most recent national survey of training for all types of advisors, training was rated as one of the least effective components of campus advising programs. Training for staff advisors was found to be lacking in both conceptual understanding and relational skills. Brown (2008) found that most faculty advisors believed that they had inadequate training and preparation before beginning to advise.Effective academic advising is dependent on three critical components: comprehensive…See More

Successful academic advising programs do not just happen. They are based on carefully laid plans that focus on student success. This session will review five critical planning elements including: developing an advising mission statement that derives from the institutional mission statement; understanding how advising integrates with other services; identifying relevant goals and objectives for advising; identifying an organizational model best-suited to goal achievement; and delineating how…See More