1. Using Advisement as a Teaching Tool Richard L. Myers, Ph.D. Department of Biology Southwest Missouri State University

3. The definition of the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) A systematic exploration and evaluation of teaching and learning processes that involve ongoing dialogue, documentation and dissemination of results. (SMSU, September, 2000) The literature indicates that there are at least 3 perspectives to SoTL the traditional notion of scholarship as the discovery and advancement of knowledge assumption that SoTL is equated with teaching excellence SoTL can be equated with a reflective wisdom about practicing what is known about teaching and use of research-based knowledge

4. A fourth perspective The scholarship of teaching and learning involves demonstration of use of contemporary teaching methods and advisement.

5. Lucas, A. F. & Associates. (2000). Leading academic change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

6. Other resources Collins, A. (1991) The role of computer technology in restructuring schools. Phi Delta Kappa, 73 (1) 28-36. Menges, R. J. (1994). Teaching in the age of electronic information. In W. J. McKeachie Teaching tips, 9 ed. Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath.

7. The concern The world's total production of information amounts to about 250 megabytes for each man, woman, and child on earth. Better understanding and better tools are desperately needed if we are to take full advantage of the ever-increasing supply of information. New approaches to teaching are necessary if students are to navigate and utilize this vast resource.

8. Our profession is changing Our profession is immersed in the electronic information age Places greater responsibility for learning upon the student Professors no longer control students’ access to information Changes will require professors to seek innovative ways to interact with students

9. Comments We have all had the sensation of drowning in a sea of information -- the challenge we face is to learn to swim in that sea, rather than drown in it. The only value added to a scheduled lecture is what the professor can contribute to the moment. The professor is the reason the meeting is being held.

10. Lifelong learning is any purposeful learning that an individual engages in throughout the life span...it is an activity engaged in...to gain greater individual self- fulfillment and to improve the quality of life for the individual and the emerging society. To achieve this requires moving away from a view of learning that is controlled outside the individual to a view of learning that is internally controlled by the individual. A Model for Lifelong Learning, by N.V. Overly et al. (Phi Delta Kappa, 1980)

11. Philosophy of advising Traditional advising is simply an extension of classroom teaching Communicating knowledge Raising questions Offering experiences to engage the student Inspiring the student to further inquiry So why separate the role of the teacher and advisor?

12. The change to coaching… Some faculty consider themselves coaches as well as teachers Can you imagine students with different abilities learning at different paces? Can you imagine students cooperating rather than competing?

13. Case study

14. The partnership between student and professor… Results in a successful academic program Provides a selection of appropriate extracurricular activities Identifies work experiences Assists in achievement of personal goals Helps develop alternative goals

15. A professor assists students with advisement in other ways Develop a study strategy Work an alternative course into a curriculum Use a course to enter a career Use a course in a career

16. Innovative ways to interact with students using advising Instead of covering material, assist students in sampling material Negotiate criteria that identifies what is important Rather than rank students relative to one another, negotiate standards specific to the individual

17. Innovative ways continued…. Shift from grading the individual to grading collaborative contributions Go from reproducing knowledge to demonstrating originality Rather than verify sources derive standards for fair use of material

18. Advisement setting Some students avoid advisement in a formal setting Penn State has “Take Your Professor to Lunch “ program

19. Take Your Professor to Lunch Must be in a class of at least sixty students The professor and at least 4 classmates must attend Participation cannot exceed ten You can participate only once per semester

20. Harvard Assessment Seminars Initiated faculty advisement not only in teaching but also in campus life Found that student’s biggest concern is time Another major concern is how to approach a faculty member

21. Teaching/advising is made easy by students who… Are mature and serious about college Assume responsibility for assigned work Are active learners Respect and value learning, each other and the professor

22. Teaching/advising is more difficult if the student appears Passive and unmotivated Disrespectful in class Unprepared Close-minded and intolerant

23. Effect of change Will encourage the professor to… Identify learning problems Help students find solutions to problems Facilitate learning Prepare for the future

24. Conclusions Faculty should rethink approaches to teaching and learning The professorate is changing to keep up with an information explosion Advisement is an extension of teaching