Program Outline

Adviser Online Training:

The Online Adviser Training Program was developed to prepare new advisers on the Academic Advising and Student Disability Services (AA&SDS) Team. In addition to teaching basic policies and procedures, the program introduces new staff to the unit, our partners within Academic Outreach and the University itself. An understanding of the culture of Academic Advising and Student Disability Services, the Core Values of the team, and the overall mission of Academic Outreach and Penn State University as a whole helps new advisers relate the knowledge and resources of the program to the Penn State student experience.

The program is completed in tandem with an assigned Mentor and supplemented with meetings and additional training in both formal and informal sessions within Academic Advising and Student Disability Services and Academic Outreach.

The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) components of adviser training were used as an overall guideline in developing the framework for this training. These components were developed by Dr. Wes Habley and Jeff McClellan.  http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/Advisor-Training-Components.aspx

Conceptual Component:  Adviser will articulate the mission, philosophy, culture and the advising environment of the institution.

Informational Component: Adviser will understand information regarding academic policies, procedures and programs to guide advisees towards successful completion of their academic goals.

Relational Component: Adviser will convey the understanding and knowledge of advising competencies by establishing working relationships with advisees through appropriate advising behaviors.

Technology Component: Adviser will demonstrate ability to use current advising and communication technologies.

Personal /Professional Component: Adviser will participate in continuous development of self and the application of skills in self-assessment, self-regulation, and growth.

 

| Learning Objectives | Required Materials | Activities |

Learning Objectives

At the end of the program, new advisers will be able to do the following:

  • Have an understanding of the mission, philosophy, culture and the advising environment of Penn State, Outreach and Online Education, World Campus, and Continuing Education
  • Convey the understanding and knowledge of academic policies, procedures and programs in order to guide students toward successful completion of their academic goals
  • Demonstrate the ability to use current advising and communication technologies
  • Have the skills and knowledge that are needed to respond to the wdadvising email account, answer general student telephone inquiries, and finally, advise a student roster
return to top of page

Required Materials

  • Online training program.
return to top of page

Activities

Practice makes perfect! Throughout each unit, there will be plenty of opportunities to review and reinforce what you have learned. You will see activities in the following formats:

Readings & Video Vignettes

You will read articles and watch videos related to the different training topics, and discuss what you have learned with your mentor.

Quizzes

There will be quizzes in the end of some units to test your knowledge. Read all the content required for the unit, complete the quiz questions, and then review with your mentor.

Writing

For some topics, you are invited to post your thoughts on discussion forums, run degree audits, or create email templates.

return to top of page