Shifting Roles in Continuous Advising Sessions

Abstract

It is common for learning advisors to receive a request such as conversation practice or simple linguistic support in our institution simply because learners find them accessible and friendly. Although this may not be the usual role of a learning advisor, it can be the beginning of a long-lasting reflective dialogue. Learning advisors are aware that the learners’ initial interest is not necessarily an opportunity for reflection on their learning process. Nevertheless, they also acknowledge the fact that learner readiness for reflection varies depending on the learner. Thus, while advisors appear to be “conversation partners” at first, they endeavor to create reflective dialogues by incorporating advising strategies in each session. As the learning trajectory that the learner follows is not always straightforward, keeping an open mind and engaging in each advising session is crucial. The following stories depict the importance of openness to learners’ needs and maintaining continuous advising sessions in order to generate transformational learning.