College Learning & Study Skills
Fall 2007
Course No. 23259
Instructor: Chareane Wimbley-Gouveia Meets: T/TH 1:00 – 2:20 pm in HO-202
Phone: 917- 4691 Office: HO 206 3 credits
Secretary (messages): 917- 4683 Grading: A-F or Pass/No Pass
E-mail:ffice Hours: T/TH 11- 12 pm or by appointment
Mail box access: F-109 (give to secretary)
Welcome! This class will assist you in developing the academic strategies necessary for being successful in a community college or four-year college and for creating greater personal success. These strategies will help you learn from lectures and textbooks, apply memory strategies, prepare for and take tests, and manage student responsibilities.I urge you to make the most of this opportunity to sharpen your life long learning skills.
Learning Outcomes:
As a result of your work in this class, you will be able to:
- apply techniques and strategies to function independently as a learner in a four-year college.
- use effective study strategies to meet learning outcomes in other college courses.
Assessment Tasks:
You will demonstrate learning outcomes by:
- developing a time management plan based on student goals
- identifying and summarizing key information in written passages
- using a notetaking format to record key ideas from a formal lecture
- developing various learning tools for college-level print and lecture information
- applying test-taking strategies to various types of tests commonly found in college courses
- demonstrating independent learning through a capstone assignment which integrates targeted skills
- demonstrating mastery of course information and skill development through midterm and final examinations
Required Text: College Study Skills: Becoming a Strategic Learner, 5th edition with College Success Factors, by Dianna L.Van Blerkom andCollege Learning & Study Skills CG 111 2007-08 Course Materials Packet.
Required Materials:3-ring binder with pocket dividers;3” x 5” or 4” x 6” index cards; highlighter ; and one plastic folder for portfolio.
Recommended:Color pencils, stapler, hole punch, binder zipper pouch, law/summary margin paper, USB key.
Student-Instructor Expectations:
To create the best learning environment it is important that we each do the following:
- attend class regularly and promptly
- inform each other ahead of time if we know we will be absent
- complete all work on time
- work to the best of our ability
- come prepared for class
- contribute to a positive learning environment by showing respect towards ourselves and all others in the class
Learning Activities:
You will be actively working with other students in groups as well as working independently. Learning will take place through discussion, shared activities, readings, lectures, skills practice, out of class assignments and developing study tools and strategies.
Course Requirements
- Assignments must be ready at the beginning of class in on the due date. Late work will be accepted without penalty if pre-arranged before class begins. You may hand in three late assignments by using the late coupons available on my office message board. You may submit work in class, through e-mail, or by delivering assignments to my mailbox (F-109) before class on the due date.
- You are responsible for any assignment assigned on the day you were absent. If you miss a class, check your syllabus and assignment sheet, and contact me or a classmate BEFORE our next class to find out what assignment is due the day you return.
- Some assignments will be completed outside of class time in the Reading, Writing & Study Skills Lab (HO-216) with Instructional Assistant Sandy Fichtner. Sandy is also available to provide one-on-one study skills support. She is available M-F 8:00 to 3:00. (Assistance is also available at the Benton and LebanonCenters. See me or check the schedule.)
- Unless you arrange with me in advance or can verify an emergency or crisis, missed tests and exams will receive a maximum grade of 80%.
Academic Integrity:
All students are expected to take tests and do their assignments with integrity, jeopardizing neither their own honesty nor that of other students. First violation: 0 for the assignment or test and a written warning. Second violation: F for the course and a written report to the Dean of Students.
Grading Policy:
Your final grade will be determined by combining your scores from your quizzes, journal writings, assignments, mid-term test, and the final exam.
In-class Quizzes - 10% of your total grade
One of the most important factors in college success is consistent and active participation. To encourage and reward your preparation for active participation in every class, the first five minutes of each class will begin with a short quiz or reflection. The quiz will cover the concepts addressed in class or in your reading assignment. No make-ups are allowed. Your three lowest scores will be dropped.
Portfolio-15% of your total grade
During the quarter, you will complete four required assignments and six others to complete your portfolio. Other assignments may be done to earn bonus points. Instructions for your portfolio will be handed out separately.
Assignments - 25% of your total grade
Homework, classroom and weekly journal assignments provide you with practice and the opportunity to apply the skills you are learning. It also allows me to coach you and give you feedback to strengthen your skills. If you need more practice on an assignment that can be revised, I will write, “keep working” on your paper. The assignment can then be revised and resubmitted within a week. Be sure to meet with me, Sandy Fichtner in the Study Skills Lab, or a peer if you need additional support. Journal instructions will be handed out separately once class is underway.
Midterm: 25% of total grade
The midterm will be given during week 6. If you have a time conflict, you must pre-arrange a time to take the test before the class takes it.
Final Exam: 25% of total grade
The final will be given, here in IA 201A on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 from 2:30- 4:20 pm in HO-202.
If you have a time conflict for the final, you must pre-arrange a time with me to take it.
The grading scale is:
Other grades:
90% - 100%AINC – Incomplete: if personal crisis or illness occurs. Student
80% - 89%B must have completed at least 75% of the course work
70% - 79%C with a passing average.
60% - 69%DY – No basis for a grade: if attended less than 25% of class
59% or below F and submitted insignificant course work.
Pass – C or betterWP -Work in progress: if pace of course exceeds student’
No Pass – D or F in spite of appropriate effort by student.
If you want a P/NP, you must fill out a P/NP option form at the registration counter in Takena Hall no later than the end of the sixth week of class.
Support Services at LBCC:
Office of Disability Services (ODS):
LBCC accommodates students with documented disabilities. If you believe you have a documented disability, sign up with the Office of Disability Services through the Support Lab in HO 116. If you receive accommodations, please provide accommodation requirements as soon as possible. Requests for books on tape require 3-5 weeks to fill. ODS may be reached by email to and by telephone 917-4789.
Academic Help
The Learning Center provides academic support and a comfortable place to study. Services are in temporary locations until Spring term, while Willamette Hall is being improved. Drop-in math, writing, science, study skills, and reading help are available. You can also sign up for free peer tutoring for any course by appointment in the tutoring center, T-207.
Math Help Desks, Open Study,Testing –IA 231-233:
Open Computer Lab – T-207
Hours
MW – 7:30 am to 7:00 pm
TH - 7:30 am to 9:00 pm
F - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Reading, Writing &Study Skills Lab - HO-216
Hours:MWF 8:30 am to 3:00 pm; T/TH 8:30 – 5:00 pm
Albany Writing Center- SSH-108
M-F 10:00 am-3:00 pm: Opens October 1
Services are also available in the Lebanon and Benton Centers – Check for hours and locations.
Important Dates
Last day to add a classEnd of week 2
Last day to drop this class with refundEnd of week 2
Last day to submit Pass/No Pass FormEnd of week 6
Last day to withdrawEnd of week 7
Other important dates are in LBCC’s free 2007-08 Monthly Planning Guide. Limited copies are available in IA 232.
Tentative Course Outline
The following schedule is tentative and may be modified to meet students’ needs. Also, the pace of the course may vary according to the needs of the class. Many of the skills and strategies will be combined with each other in the same way that you use the skills when studying. If you are absent, be sure to check with another student or your instructor to verify assignments and readings.
Key: VB= Van Blerkom text. CM= Course Materials Packet “*”= specific pages will be assigned.
WeekTopic
1) The College System Quick start pages Q1 – Q8
Becoming a Successful StudentCM sec.1
Learning Styles & Teaching StylesVB Chapter 1
College Success Factors IndexOn-line
2) Goal Setting and MotivationVB Chapter 2
Portfolio AssignmentCM sec.2 Goal Setting
Team VB Chapter AssignmentsVB Chapter 3
CM sec. 3: Time Mgt
3) Learning and MemoryVB Chapter 4
Concept CardsCM pp. 13, 75 & 76
4) Learning from College TextbooksVB Chapter 7 Team Academic Discipline Assignment CM sec. 3: Time Mgt Poster Sessions
5) Learning from College TextbooksVB Chapter 8* & 5*
Taking Lecture NotesCM sec. 4 Textbooks
6) Portfolio Part 1 Due
Preparing for ExamsVB Chapter 10
Team Library/Internet Assignments
Midterm
7) Preparing for Exams (cont.)VB Ch 10* & 9*
Team Chapter Assignments DueCM: sec. 5 Preparing for tests
8) Team Chapter Presentations
9) Capstone AssignmentCapstone Assignment
Hand-out
Capstone Assignment
10)Capstone Assignment QuizVB Chapter 14 Portfolio Part II Due
11) FINAL Tuesday, December 112:30- 4:20 p.m. HO-202