Students who are away from their computers and need to know when classes end this semester, how to earn a double major, or if the late drop deadline has passed, now can access the answers simply by using a cell phone.
New this month, iAdvising @ PSU is an academic advising/information Web site specially formatted for Web-enabled cell phones. Available at http://www.psu.edu/advising/iadvising, the site is designed for fast downloads, easy navigation and readability on small screens. Adding the link to any phone’s Web browser can put the user in touch with semester calendars, advising center phone numbers, frequently asked questions, quick facts, a glossary of academic terms, explanations of Penn State codes, abbreviations and acronyms, and much more. In addition, the site provides links to other important advising resources, including the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, the Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin, and eLion, although these sites have not been specially formatted for cell phones.
Mike Leonard, assistant director for the Division of Undergraduate Studies, developed iAdvising @ PSU as an extension of Advising @ PSU, which has been an online source of information about academic advising and related educational topics at Penn State since July 2001. The Division of Undergraduate Studies is the largest unit of enrollment for first-year students and is also the academic home for undergraduates exploring programs and meeting requirements before entering majors.
“Any phone that can access the Web -- it doesn't have to be an iPhone -- should be able to access this new site,” Leonard said. “We hope faculty, staff members, and students who happen to be in a meeting or on their way to class and need a quick answer will use their cell phones to reach iAdvising @ PSU. It's another way to make good use of time and technology.”