Texting as an Advising Communication Tool: A Case Study of Receptivity and Resistance

Abstract

Texting has been identified as a tool that has the potential to enhance informational exchanges between academic advisors and students. We use focus group and survey data from a recent texting intervention to assess student and advisor receptivity to texting as a new mode of communication. The data reveal that most students immediately saw the benefits of this new tool. In contrast, advisors initially were very skeptical of its value. They raised concerns about having a voice in the content of the messages and the time commitment that would be needed to respond to students’ texts. Over time, this feedback led to modifications in the texting protocol and, in turn, advisors came to view texting as an important mechanism for improving communication with students. Our study ends with a discussion of texting best practices within the context of academic advising.