023

wd10 12/18/2009 4:27:33

General Session - Conference Presentation Only (no formal paper)

//Silvia Braidic, California University of Pennsylvania, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, braidic@calu.edu// //Liz Gillette, California University of Pennsylvania, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA// //gillette@calu.edu// //Brian Sutherland, California University of Pennsylvania, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, Sutherland4@comcast.net//
 * Supporting Students through an Online Peer Advisement Model**

This session presents a model for online peer advisement. In an online environment, it is essential to build and sustain learning communities. Collaboration between a faculty advisor and student, as well as between students, is necessary to develop these communities. The online peer advisement model, meant to complement existing advising and support services, provides basic guidance and assistance for new learners enrolled in a graduate program. During the first semester of the program, Peer Mentoring pairs a new student with an experienced student in the online environment.

This session will address the following elements of the peer advisement program: 1) What is the peer advisement model? 2) How are peer mentors selected and assigned to faculty advisors? 3) What is the peer advisement shell? 4) What services are provided by the online peer mentor? 5) What have we learned from implementing the peer advisement model? This will be accomplished through the topics presented below:

I. Peer Advisory Program a. What is the peer advisement model? b. Background and history of online programs at the university c. Definition of the peer advisement model d. Importance of the online Peer Advisement Program

II. How are peer mentors selected and assigned to faculty advisors? a. Invitation letter b. Application process c. Peer advisor screening and selection d. Assignment to a faculty advisor

III. What is the peer advisement shell? a. Online Advisement Services b. Faculty Advisement Shell c. Peer Mentoring embedded into Faculty Advisement Shell

IV. What services are provided by the online peer mentor? a. Roles and responsibilities defined b. Technology tools utilized for advisement c. Examples of peer mentor/mentee activity

V. Strengths and challenges of the Peer Mentoring Program a. Faculty and student perspectives b. Feedback/ data from faculty, peer mentors, and advisees As a result of this session, participants will:
 * Develop an understanding of an online peer advisement model and the necessary collaboration required.
 * Analyze the components of an online peer advisement model.
 * Understand faculty and student perspectives of the online peer advisement program.
 * Explore key points learned from i mplementing a peer advisement model. Feedback from faculty, peer mentors, and advisees will be shared.
 * Develop ideas for creating an online peer advisement program.

All Audiences online advisement, peer mentoring Faculty and Student Presentation

This presentation involves two faculty members and a graduate student in the program who served as a peer mentor.