Learner Inventory

When I design an onboarding course, I don’t assume all new advisors are starting from the same place. Some arrive with years of advising experience, others are new to higher education, and many are navigating MSU systems for the first time. This learner inventory is my way of understanding who the advisor is, what they already know, and what they need most right now.

Responses to the below inventory helps me shape the course in intentional ways, prioritizing relevant topics, adjusting pacing, building in opportunities for connection, and reducing barriers to learning in a self-paced environment. Just as advising is most effective when it’s student-centered, onboarding is most effective when it’s learner-centered. This inventory ensures the course is responsive, supportive, and worth your time.

Inventory

Questions	Learner’s Response
To be successful in this online, self-paced course, it is recommended to devote at least 5 hours per week to reviewing and interacting with course content to stay on pace with completing the training in 3-4 week timespan. Do you feel you can devote this much time to this course? If not, please explain why.
As a new advisor at MSU, what topics do you feel you need to know immediately. Please select all that apply: 1) University policies, 2) major curriculum and degree information, or 3) Electronic systems for advising?
What areas of advising at MSU do you feel you know least about?
What are your professional goals in the first year?
What major(s) or program(s) are you advising for?
How many prior years of advising experience do you have? If none, what was your previous work primarily in?
This course is primarily online and self-paced. Do you have the ability to access online content on a consistent basis?
What concerns do you have about taking online, self-paced course?
Are you interested in connecting with new advisors?
Are you interested in connecting with established advisors?
What do you hope to gain from the onboarding course?
This onboarding course will incorporate text and videos with closed captioning. Do you have any concerns with these delivery modes or foresee any potential barriers to your learning?
What method do you prefer to share feedback about course content? This can include surveys, feedback forms, email, in-person discussion, etc.
To stay connected with other advisors that are completing the onboarding course we will be using GroupMe. How familiar are you with using the GroupMe platform? Select from the following: 1) Very familiar, 2) slightly familiar, or 3) never used before