Is virtual advising here to stay? – eCampus News
Why virtual advising (prompted by the pandemic) could become a permanent part of institutions’ student success strategies
History is rife with examples of old paradigms being replaced by new ones during times of stress. Between the economy, the fear, the isolation, and the uncertainty, there is plenty not to like about how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered our lives. Yet, if we look hard enough, we can also see some positives. Our sudden move to a virtual lifestyle has accelerated an ongoing technological revolution in how we access services in fields as diverse as commerce, medicine, and fitness. The massive public embrace of video conferencing means that many of these virtual innovations seem destined to become permanent enhancements long after the pandemic has abated.
One such permanent enhancement for higher education could be virtual advising. By “advising,” I am referring to the broad suite of holistic academic, financial, administrative, and personal support that has been shown to be highly effective at retaining and graduating students.