Focus Group & Online Survey Research Findings

Data Collection 2 focus groups

8 questions 9 participants (1

male, 8 females; 17 programs of study represented)

Online survey 9 questions 73 responses

Focus Group Themes1. Small Screen Reading2. Consistent and Frequent

Communication3. Conversational Tone4. Applicability5. Quick Visual Learning6. Reference and Storage Accessibility7. Subject Lines

Theme #1: Small Screen Reading Advisees are mainly reading email on

phones Mobile devices w/ smaller screens make

lengthier emails seem even longer Lists or bolded topic sentences are

preferred over paragraph formatting

Theme #2: Consistent and Frequent Communication Advisees would like to hear from advisors more

frequently (e.g., weekly to monthly, as opposed to only around important deadlines)

More communication beyond academic deadlines could include campus events and opportunities relevant to advisees’ programs of study

Some advisees worry that peers have an advantage over them due to communication inconsistencies between different advisors sharing/not sharing opportunities

Post frequency from your advisor

Theme #3: Conversational Tone Overall, advisees

prefer a conversational tone over a formal tone in advising communication

Conversational tones portray advisors as approachable and accessible

Formal tones can be perceived as intimidating

What tone do your advisor’s posts take?

Theme #4: Applicability Advisees like for advisors to send

information beyond academic advising, as long as it is perceived as applicable to them or their program of study

Tips and tricks for college success are perceived as applicable

Theme #4: Applicability cont.

However, it’s important to send non-academic information in moderation, so that we don’t duplicate JMU informational emails

What might prevent you from reading your advisor’s posts? Doesn’t seem to pertain to me (64.4%) Too long (37%) Info is hard to skim (layout, headings, formatting)

(26%) They post too often (8.2%)

Which topics from your advisor are most interesting?

1.JMU dates and deadlines2.Tips for freshman year success3.Majors and minors at JMU

Overall, what should your advisor be covering?

Theme #5: Quick Visual Learning Both video and

written how-to instructions are perceived positively, as long as they allow for quick reference

Video tutorials should be between 2-5 min

Written instructions should include step-by-step screenshots

Theme #6: Reference Storage and Accessibility Advisees like storing resources

and knowing they can easily access them

Canvas was perceived to be a good platform for storing resources Blogs could serve the same purpose Email is searchable, but some phone

settings limit number of days to sync (e.g., only displays last 100 days)

Advisees were overwhelmed by the amount of information received at the beginning of the year and wanted a breakdown of it

What format does your advisor use to send you information?

Consider: How will your advisees access information you’ve previously sent after they’re switched to a new advisor?

Email Canvas+ check regularly/often+ easy to access- get a lot of emails

already- easy to swipe/trash

+ check regularly/often+ everything in one place- interferes w/ class

info- lag with messages

Theme #7: Subject Lines Overall, advisees seemed to read

communication from their advisor simply because it was from their advisor

Subject lines that explicitly state the content/main topics of the message are preferred

Messages with attachments were reported as receiving more attention and priority with advisee concerns that attachments are important forms to be filled out

Advice/Suggestions Be welcoming, approachable, and

encouraging Keep communication frequent and

consistent Use easy-to-read formatting

Extras: Mandatory face-to-face time Canvas “How-To” orientation session Define office hours