Title: Developing models for online academic advising: functions, tools and organisation of the advising system in a virtual university

Authors: Eva Rimbau-Gilabert, Maria J. Martinez-Arguelles, Elisabet Ruiz-Dotras

Addresses: Open University of Catalonia, Av. Tibidabo 39-41, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. ' Open University of Catalonia, Av. Tibidabo 39-41, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. ' Open University of Catalonia, Av. Tibidabo 39-41, 08035 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: Academic advising is a key element for learning success in virtual environments that has received little attention from researchers. Since academic advising can contribute to improve the satisfaction and retention of online students, research on this activity is especially needed in the current situation of competition among online universities. This paper describes the online academic advising system in a virtual university, as a contribution to the development of viable models for this activity. We explain the background of the advising system and its main elements: the advisor|s functions, the types of advisors, the available tools for advisors, the organisation of the advisorial system, and the advisorial activity from the student|s point of view.

Keywords: academic advising; online education; virtual university; virtual advisors; educational management; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2011.039397

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2011 Vol.3 No.2, pp.124 - 136

Published online: 26 Feb 2015 *

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