Adviser Blogs
So I came across another good use for a blog last Friday but was so tied up this weekend I didn't get a chance to put it into writing until now. That's fine because it actually gave me a chance to do a little research on the proper spelling of adviser vs. advisor. You'll all be happy to know that you can rest at ease with the new knowledge that Webster, and therefore Penn State, use "adviser" as the proper spelling. Imagine that. Useful knowledge before lunch on a Monday. It's going to be a productive week!
So getting back to the blog topic. It was discussed last week that when doing a project such as what the Schreyer Honors College is looking to do (see Blog-A-Day:3) it might be helpful to eventually tie advisers into the mix. Students could create the reflection pages and advisers could look at the individual's blog before meeting with them to discuss scheduling and other issues. This got me thinking, couldn't advisers have blogs too? What would these look like?
I did a little digging and came up with the Advisor Blog (yes they spell it that way... obviously leading me down the path of confusion stated above) from the Texas State University - San Marcos. In thinking about it, a blog is a perfect tool for advisers to answer FAQ's and disseminate pertinent information to a large audience. Perhaps less students would need to schedule an advising meeting if a blog were maintained. When a student asks a question that can pertain to a large audience, why not make a blog post? If graduation requirements change, why not make a blog post? With many advisers being booked weeks in advance this would be a great way for students to search for the answers ahead of time or be more informed on a topic before actually meeting with their adviser... not to mention, throw in an "about us" section and advisers just might have become humans with lives and interests in the eyes of the student body! Happy day for everyone!
So I came across another good use for a blog last Friday but was so tied up this weekend I didn't get a chance to put it into writing until now. That's fine because it actually gave me a chance to do a little research on the proper spelling of adviser vs. advisor. You'll all be happy to know that you can rest at ease with the new knowledge that Webster, and therefore Penn State, use "adviser" as the proper spelling. Imagine that. Useful knowledge before lunch on a Monday. It's going to be a productive week!
So getting back to the blog topic. It was discussed last week that when doing a project such as what the Schreyer Honors College is looking to do (see Blog-A-Day:3) it might be helpful to eventually tie advisers into the mix. Students could create the reflection pages and advisers could look at the individual's blog before meeting with them to discuss scheduling and other issues. This got me thinking, couldn't advisers have blogs too? What would these look like?
I did a little digging and came up with the Advisor Blog (yes they spell it that way... obviously leading me down the path of confusion stated above) from the Texas State University - San Marcos. In thinking about it, a blog is a perfect tool for advisers to answer FAQ's and disseminate pertinent information to a large audience. Perhaps less students would need to schedule an advising meeting if a blog were maintained. When a student asks a question that can pertain to a large audience, why not make a blog post? If graduation requirements change, why not make a blog post? With many advisers being booked weeks in advance this would be a great way for students to search for the answers ahead of time or be more informed on a topic before actually meeting with their adviser... not to mention, throw in an "about us" section and advisers just might have become humans with lives and interests in the eyes of the student body! Happy day for everyone!
Wow! Great idea! This would have helped me as a commuter undergrad who wasted many afternoons trying to track down my new adviser, who, as it turned out, was on sabbatical.
So what say you about the Wiktionary statement:
"In the US, an adviser has a connotation of someone offering unsolicited advice, while an advisor is someone speaking with at least some amount of wisdom or authority."
I had an adviser (assigned by college) as an undergrad; he had no useful advice and no apparent wisdom. I would have much preferred an advisor...
Well I agree and also like Advisor over Adviser. Unfortunately (well fortunately... that way we're at least consistent) Penn State holds us to style standards and therefore the correct way is Adviser. The "O" spelling seems much more professional to me as well but sadly I'm but a minion and not Webster. Maybe we should go after Webster. We wouldn't be spelling a lot of things so funny if he were able to properly spell when creating that dictionary! Revolution!