My Active Learning Strategy

Creation Description–Active Learning Creation

I facilitated small group discussions in Zoom during an online synchronous session. This session was created for new academic advisors to meet with fellow new colleagues and ask any question about their position within small groups of four. Facilitators in the form of established advisors were distributed among groups to assist with more challenging questions, but the core of the discussion was for new academic advisors. The entire activity was built using Session Labs and was an adaptation from the Ask Me Anything template. Academic advisors were placed at random into groups of four and assigned to a Zoom breakout room. Each group took 10 minutes to write as many questions as they could on yellow sticky notes in their assigned Google Jamboard. At the 10-minute mark, groups were given a different team’s Jamboard and were tasked with answering as many questions as they could using green sticky notes posted next to each corresponding question. Sticky notes with questions that could not be answered were changed to red for later discussion with the larger group. Groups and Jamboards were randomized at the next 10 minute mark, and one more time to give advisors opportunities to collaborate with as many different colleagues as possible. At the end, a debrief in a larger group was held to go over the activity experience and review the red sticky notes that remained.

Building Connections

I think this activity and online learning discussions like this are excellent opportunities for learners to connect with classmates or colleagues they may not have otherwise interacted with in an asynchronous environment The New Academic Advisor Training course is fully online asynchronous and self-paced, not offering opportunity to really meet and learn from other new advisors. Integrating a live session, even if still virtual, helps to build a sense of community and discuss questions that came up from the training with others that have a shared experience of being a new advisor. This activity presented critical thinking as the new advisors were tasked with finding the answers to their questions within their groups rather than a facilitator or presenter providing them with the answers, though a facilitator was present to keep discussion moving and help get through any sticky points.

Looking Forward

If I were to do something differently with this activity, I would have provided more instruction and preparation of questions before the actual session. I think we could have devoted more time to the actual activity if I had advisors review instructions prior to the session. I also would consider asking advisors to come up with some of their questions prior to their meeting with advisors. This may prevent influence on what questions the advisor would share, especially if there is a more dominating voices in the smaller groups.

Active Learning

I see discussion and active learning being of most use in meeting the learning objectives of feeling connected to the MSU advising community, knowing where to find MSU policies, procedures, and resources, recognizing the importance of fostering an inclusive environment, and responding and referring students appropriately. Being so new to their role as an MSU academic advisor, having a space to discuss their onboarding experience will assist with retaining course content while establishing a network of new colleagues.