A Web-based Decision Support Tool for Academic Advising.

Student advising is an important and time-consuming effort in academic life. This paper attempts to solve a technology-based "last mile" problem by developing and evaluating a web-based decision support tool (the Online Advisor) that helps advisors and students make better use of an already present university student information system. Two questionnaires were administered to 20 undergraduate students and five faculty members: one to gain insight about their perception of the current advising process, and the other to assess the usability of the proposed Online Advisor. 79% of users stated that they were satisfied with the Online Advisor. 90% rated the Online Advisor as effective and efficient. More than 75% rated the Online Advisor as useful and helpful.