Podcasting in Academic Advising

Did you know that NACADA has a listing of podcasts for academic advising professionals?

I didn't either until I went to Google and searched for them. Unfortunately it doesn't seem as though the page has been updated recently.

One of the podcasts that I found particularly intriguing is The Role of Silence in Academic Advising by Sarah May Clarkson of Juanita College. I haven't yet had a chance to listen to the actual audio of the podcast, but I think that silence is an important component of an advising session. Within my own practice, I'm not sure how well I actually do at working in this notion. Hopefully after listening to this podcast I will gain some insight into how to do it better.

I have recently tried to incorporate some podcasts into my Facebook fan page for my advising center. Currently, these podcasts are merely the reading of some of our most popular handouts. My intent with this practice is to assist students in obtaining advising information who might be more comfortable listening to information than reading it.

Even though in theory podcasting sounds like a great idea, I'm not sure how many students are actually utilizing this technology. Most ipods only contain popular music; most definitely not podcasts on choosing an academic major or planning for a career. My question at this point is whether or not I should continue to add podcasts to my site (and create them) or perhaps abandon this practice since students simply aren't using them.

Thoughts?

Additional links to information on podcasting in academic advisement:

Institutional Podcasts, Webcasts, and Audio Downloads

Lessons in Podcasting: A One Year Retrospective

LectureCasting: Podcasting Best Practices

Podcasting in Higher Education: An Annotated Bibliography

NACADA National Conference Presentation: ACCEPTED!

Just wanted to update readers and let them know that I will be presenting my Social Bookmarking Presentation against at the NACADA 2009 National Conference in San Antonio, TX. If your professional development budget allows, make sure that you try to attend.

Feedback from the proposal evaluators was positive. Read on:

• I can imagine that this concept will get used by many advisors, once they figure out how it works.

• I liked the idea of presenting the idea and how to implement the idea. I liked that the presenter will talk about the positives and negatives and time requirements of implementing the social bookmarking account

• Social bookmarking is an interesting twist on serving all advisees, particularly undecided students. I would imagine this presentation would focus mostly on "how to," but the literature introduction will also be helpful. The proposal was very thorough.

• Interesting topic! Hopefully the information would be relevant and pertain to the available majors or graduate programs available at the institution.

• I think that this is an excellent topic to introduce to the advising profession. Many other educators utilize social bookmarking, etc for their professions, and it would be a great learning tool for students & advisors to use to support developmental advising.

• Creative concept and would help those advisors who are wanting to use and/or learn to communicate with today's students. Hands-on info.

I will be tweaking the presentation a bit to reflect the comments from those in Saratoga Springs, NY. Thanks again to all who provided feedback! It is so awesome to see advisors embracing technology!

E-Portfolios &/or Blogging with First Year Undecided Students

As I am preparing for another semester of UB 101 (First Year Experience Course), I have spent some time reviewing my syllabus. One of the assignments I am considering for the course is the creation of an E Portfolio which is designed to be maintained throughout the undergraduate experience.

Is anyone else using blogging/e-portfolios with their students? How about incorporating them into FYE courses?

Here is the tentative assignment. Any feedback appreciated.

Assignment #1
Create an E-Portfolio

Note: "E-portfolio" and "blog" will be used interchangeably throughout this piece (and the semester). They are referring to the same thing.

The most important question first:

Why:

• Will increase your visibility on the Internet and connect you with topics you care about. This in turn can lead to OPPORTUNITIES!
• Employers love them!
  
• You will graduate with something tangible; can continue to use after you leave
• Allow for collaboration; where opportunities are born and learning takes place
• Opportunity to help others interested in your field
• Can utilize any media you choose; suits all learning styles...if you don't like to write, post video!
  
• Free & required

Who:

• You as the author
• Classmates & the public as the audience & collaborators

OK time for specifics...

What:

• Watch this video
• Create your E-portfolio via Blogger (If you already have a blog, start a fresh one just for your E-portfolio)
• Be sure to make your blog URL something identifiable to you (e.g., jillianreading.blogspot.com) so that employers can find it easily. If you are uncomfortable with this at least use something professional/creative (e.g., johneportfolio.blogspot.com). Let me know if there are questions on what is appropriate for our purposes. I MUST BE ABLE TO DISCERN WHO THE AUTHOR OF THE E-PORTFOLIO IS!
  
• Watch some additional videos on e-portfolios & blogging
• Uploading a Video with Blogger
• Adding a gadget to your blog
• Creating a blog list
• E Portfolios for Starters
• E Portfolio Rationale
• When contributing to your E-portfolio be sure to spell check, use proper grammar and adhere to a professional writing standard.
  
• Write or create a video post which answers the following 2 questions as your first entry
• What do you hope to learn while studying at the University at Buffalo? This needs to go beyond one or two sentences. Really consider what your educational goals are and where you want to be at the end of your undergraduate career.
  
• Describe your dream career. What would the typical day consist of? What would your office look like? Who are your clients? Do you work alone or in a group?Give as much detail as possible
  
• Email me the URL of your blog & your name by __________
  

When:

• Ideally you will update your e-portfolio whenever you have a piece of finished work (e.g., research paper, presentation, project)
• You should at minimum update it at least once per month
  
• For this course, you will receive a few portfolio assignments but you are welcome to add anything additional that you feel is a good representation of your work
  

Changing of the Guard... or How We Impact Lives Without Even Knowing It

I honestly never thought that I would be able to write a blog post that connected The Twilight Zone to academic advising but alas...here it is.

I stumbled across this episode tonight as I was working on finishing up an exam for student development theory. Please bear with the lack of blog postings.... I am almost done for the semester and with my Master's degree. In the midst of graduation and a new position at work, I am also trying to move into a new apartment and get insurance, retirement accounts, and all those other goodies set up as well...I wouldn't have it any other way though...

Back to the topic....

This episode made me realize that even though we might not think that we make a difference in student lives, we really do...sometimes in a very big way. It might not be because we helped them get into a class that they needed or because we helped them select a major...

It might be because we taught them how to think for themselves and "fish" for knowledge or that we pushed them to take that course in Ancient Greek that inspired them to study abroad...There are so many things that we (as advisors) say and do on a daily basis that impact and change lives...Our job is a very important one...

Take a few minutes and watch the episode...even if you aren't a Twilight Zone fan you will be able to relate.

Enjoy!