This document provides an overview of workshops offered by the Northeast Center Office of Academic Support for the spring 2011 term. The workshops cover topics like habits for success, skills and strategies for organization, reading syllabi, time management, and breaking down assignments. Specific workshops are listed on understanding learning preferences, problem solving, and identifying learning styles. The document encourages students to ask questions when needed and lists resources for finding answers, including academic mentors, instructors, tutoring services, and student support offices.

1. Starting the Term Off Right Northeast Center Office of Academic Support Spring 2011 Workshop Series NECAcademicSupport.pbworks.com/workshops

2. Agenda HABITS FOR SUCCESS Understanding How You Learn Self-Directed Learning Asking Questions/Finding the Right Answers SKILLS & STRATEGIES Organization Reading Learning Contracts/Course Syllabi Time Management Breaking Down Assignments

4. Understanding How You Learn

5. Asking Questions

7. How Do Adult Learners Learn? Source: http://studygs.net/adulted.htm

8. What assumptions do you have for your success this term? (Fill in the blank space below)

9. How Can I Improve My Learning? Source: http://studygs.net/adulted.htm

11. One learning style is not better than anotherand all can be improved.

13. Making connections between what you are learning and your life experiences can help you better understand and retain information. ACTIVITY Here’s a riddle we would like to share with you. “The day before two days after the day before tomorrow is Monday.” PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION -- What day is it today?” SOURCE: Visual Brainstorms

15. Draw it out?

16. Write it out?

17. Move your finger around on a calendar?

18. A combination of the above or another way?Thinking about how you tried to get the answer to this question can give you a clue as to how you prefer to learn.

19. The Answer “The day before two days afterthe day before tomorrow is Monday.” Here is an example of one way how to solve for the answer. Separate phrases in the sentence into the parts you know: The day before two days after = 1 day after The day before tomorrow = today Tomorrowis Monday If tomorrow is Monday then surely today is Sunday “The day before two days after the day before tomorrow is Monday.” Answer : Today is Sunday

21. Asking Questions – DO IT! “The strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it.” - Rona Barrett Ask questions when needed and do not let problems go unresolved! Be a self-directed and self-motivated learner.

23. Degree planning

24. Choosing studies for the next term, including cross-registration

26. Assignments

28. Engage in degree planning with your mentor

31. Filing an academic appeal or student grievance

32. Minority services

33. Questions about administrative procedures, incompletes

34. Problems that you have not been able to resolve with your mentor or an administrative office.

35. Occasionally a student encounters a problem that s/he is not able to resolve with his or her mentor or an administrative office. The Office of Student Services investigates and facilitates the resolution of student complaints. The role is not one of an advocate for either party, but rather as a neutral investigator of the complaint.

37. Financial Aid

38. Billing

39. Registration

40. Records

42. Computer Access/Compatibility

46. Reading Learning Contracts/Course Syllabi

47. Time Management

49. Organizing Yourself:Using Your Learning Contracts to Help You Organize Your Time & Focus A few minutes now will save you many more in the future!

50. Review LearningContract Organizational Behavior Learning Contract 4 Credit Study = Key Concepts = Critical Thinking Skills = Benefit to You

51. Review Learning Contract = Key Concepts = Critical Thinking Skills = Expectations & Requirements

52. Review Learning Contract DUE BY – End of 5th Week of Term = Due Date = Key Materials = Requirements DUE BY – End of 10th Week of Term

53. ECONOMICS ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR Planning for Your 1st Set of Assignments DUE BY – End of 5thWeek of Term

55. Planning for Your 1st Set of Assignments ECONOMICS

58. After understanding, then make a plan.

59. Carry out the plan.

60. Look back & ask – How could the plan be improved?

61. Source: George Pólya (1945) How to Solve ItFIRST -- UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM (Assignment) Assignment: Your goal is to write a 3-4 paged paperthat is an in-depth analysis of yourself in personal, professional and academic contexts. (Enhancing the Academic Eye, Fall 2010)

62. Understand/Analyze the Problem Assignment: Your goal is to write a 3-4 paged paperthat is an in-depth analysis of yourself in personal, professional and academic contexts. (Enhancing the Academic Eye, Fall 2010) First – analyze the question What kind of a paper is it? (i.e. reaction, persuasive, research, journal, literature review) What are the action words in the assignment? (analyze, apply, argue, compare/contrast, describe, discuss, define, evaluate, critique, interpret, react, summarize, synthesize) What are the rules of the paper? (length, line spacing, topic, deadline)

63. Make Your Plan: Outlining Assignment: Your goal is to write a 3-4 paged paperthat is an in-depth analysis of yourself in personal, professional and academic contexts. (Enhancing the Academic Eye Fall 2010) INTRODUCTION – Ask yourself, why am I writing this? State your purpose by restating the key parts of the question - this helps the reader (instructor) know you understood what was being asked of you and you are aiding the reader (instructor) in understanding what you are going to talk about. BODY – Can take different forms. Could be strengths as the focus in each of the three areas (academic, personal and professional) and then the limits in those areas as separate paragraphs OR Each area (academic, personal and professional) as a separate paragraph with strengths and limitations both discussed under that particular area CONCLUSION - make a plan for success including a connection to the strengths, limitations, and your learning style.

64. Make Your Plan: Mind Map Assignment: Your goal is to write a 3-4 paged paperthat is an in-depth analysis of yourself in personal, professional and academic contexts. (Enhancing the Academic Eye Fall 2010)

65. Carry Out Your Plan REVIEW WHAT YOU KNOW You know how long it has to be – 3-4 pages You know what the topic is You have started organizing your ideas WORK ON WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW/DO Gather information Brainstorm Ask questions if unsure Write a rough draft Get Feedback Your instructor, Smarthinking.com, or set up an appt. with a learning coach Revise your draft – EDIT using feedback Review again - read out loud, look over, resubmit to Smarthinking When you feel like you have your Final Draft -- Submit