For many students and faculty, the recent transition to a more internet-based academic environment has been a challenge, and finding support may not be easy. Students are busy balancing work, family, and school, while faculty have many demands of their time and numerous students to teach. How can we help our members meet in the middle?

We’re happy to share a new podcast called Get Online. Hosted by Great Plains IDEA, a consortium of universities that collaborate to offer online, flexible, affordable degree programs for a virtual community of diverse learners, the podcast helps students and faculty align expectations around online education. Each episode includes expert advice and creative resources to inform and enrich the online educational experience.

In the first series titled Get Online with Academic Advising, you’ll hear from faculty and students as they share their experiences, ask tough questions, and get advice from an array of guests, including experts from several of NACADA’s (National Academic Advising Association) advising communities. The first series will answer many questions including:

• How is online advising different than on-campus advising from the learner viewpoint? From the faculty viewpoint?
• How can students be proactive in their academic advising relationship?
• How can faculty advisors create a sense of community and belonging for online graduate students?
• What is the role of the academic advisor in regards to career development?
• How can students take ownership in career advising?

Future episodes will focus on the online educational experience for graduate students and faculty, with topics ranging from student support to online leadership to what happens after graduation. 

Get Online can be heard at www.GPIdea.org/Podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts. To learn more about Great Plains IDEA, visit www.GPIdea.org.

Questions? Contact Katheryn Harth of Great Plains IDEA at kharth@ksu.edu.