Big thanks everyone for your valuable ideas and contributions so far.
In this tread we can continue the focused discussion on the role (s) of AVIs that emerged from the initial feedback and / discussion.
It was suggested that AVIs are a resource that a learner could contact before, during and after beginning a course of studies, throughout the learning lifecycle - Don and Wayne
Main categories/ types of support:
Specialists providing:
- subject / content specific advice = equivalent to academic tutors (provide clarification in areas where a student might not completely understand a concept/ subject specific) - Ellen and Wayne
- special support for disabled students - E.A. Draffan
- non-native English speaking students ( writing, listening to lectures, participating in academic seminars/presentations and effective reading strategies in the particular content area the student is studying) - Alannah
Generalists providing:
- non course specific advice ( general questions on how to enroll as OERu learner, or how to use the AVI system, or support on digital literacies, personal online orientation, clarification on how they would seek credentialing) Joyce, Ellen, Anil and Wayne
- learning support ( help students set up a method for the collection of artifacts of learning for assessment , encouraging students to collect and reflect on their learning - Ellen, Joyce and Anil
- facilitating online gorups and group work - Nick Bowskill
Are there any other types of support needed? Which category do you see them fall into ( or do they need a new category)?
Please reply to this thread to continue the discussion that will help us identify what kind of support will be needed and critical for OER learners to succeed in particular at the initial stages ( year 1 and 2 level of University study). We hope as a result from the contributions to be able to define the AVI role(s) and provide some frame of reference what are the expectations that will be communicated at recruitment stage so AVIs can self select the right role for them.
We really appreciate your help and support.
Vasi and Wayne