SYLLABUS Spring 2006
LS 102 College Study Skills
INSTRUCTOR Carol H. Frazier, Director
Academic Support Services
Phone: 329-7138
E-mail: cfrazier@muw.edu
Office: Room 102, Reneau Hall
8:00-5:00, Mon-Fri
Campus address: P. O. Box W-1633
Columbus, MS 39701
Meeting Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00
Reneau Hall, room 404 and lab room 101
TEXT: None.
GOALS
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define personal and academic goals
2. Create and implement a personal study schedule
3. Identify causes and methods of reducing stress
4. Identify and select personally useful techniques for improving memory skills
5. Demonstrate methods for improving reading comprehension
6. Demonstrate efficient note taking skills
7. Identify ways to effectively use a textbook for study
8. Identify means of managing test anxiety
9. Demonstrate efficient test taking skills
COURSE CONTENT
This course is a developmental course designed for students enrolled in the year long follow-along program and others interested in improving their study skills. Its purpose is to strengthen students= study skills and thereby improve the chances of success in other college courses. Major emphases include goal setting, management of time and stress, improving memory, reading comprehension, note taking, and test taking. Developmental hours (three semester hours credit) do not count toward hours required for graduation. This course is required for Summer Developmental Students and students who are required to take two or more intermediate classes.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Complete readings and assignments related to each study skill
2. Create a study skills notebook
3. Present study skills information to the class
4. Attend class regularly and participate in discussions and projects
5. Submit a final essay
METHOD OF EVALUATION
Pass/Fail grades will be based on attendance and participation in the academic support activities including the group activities. To earn a passing grade students must earn at least 750 points.
Complete the Learning and Study Skills Inventory = 30 points
Complete Focus = 30 points
Attend 30 class meetings x 6 points each
(3 points for tardy ) = 180 points
Submit a 8 sections of a study skills notebook x 40 points each + 40 additional points for neatness, organization, and creativity = 360 points
Present 5 study skills tips to the class x 40 points each = 200 points
Submit a final essay on assigned topic = 200 points
TOTAL 1000 points
Attend tutoring sessions = 10 bonus points each up to 50 points
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Week 1 Introduction & Goal Setting
Jan. 10 Learning and Study Skills Inventory
Jan. 12 Class meets - Goal Setting and Attitude
Week 2 Topic - Goal Setting
Jan. 17 Class meets - Career counselor
Jan. 19 Class meets, goal planning form due
Week 3 Topic - Learning styles
Jan. 24 Lab day-Complete the following inventories and bring results to class
http://www.dushkin.com/connectext/psy/ch11/survey11.mhtml
http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html or
http://pss.uvm.edu/pss162/learning_styles.html#1
Jan. 26 Class meets, paragraph describing personal learning style due
Week 4-5: Topic - Note taking, mapping & other study aids
Jan 31 Lab day - Inspiration software demonstration
Feb 2 Class meets – mapping and other study aids
Feb 7 Lab day/Tutoring/ Notebook check for goals and learning styles sections
Feb.9 class meeting - Note taking
Weeks 6-7 Topic - Test preparation & test taking
Feb. 14 Lab day/Tutoring
Feb. 17 Class meeting – objective tests
Feb. 21 Lab day/Tutoring
Feb. 23 class meets - essay & application type tests
Week 8-9 Topic - Time management
Feb 28 Lab day - http://www.d.umn.edu/student/loon/acad/strat/time_audit.html
http://www.arc.sbc.edu/time.html
Notebook check for note taking and test taking sections
March 2 Class meeting – commitment calendars
March 7 Lab day/Tutoring
March 9 class meeting - Study Schedule completed
Week 10 Topic - Selecting the main idea, text reading and usage
March 21 Lab day/Tutoring
March 23 Class meeting
Week 11
March 28 Lab day/Tutoring
March 30 Class meeting
Week 12-13: Topic – attending, concentrating, remembering
April 4 Lab day/Tutoring/ notebook check for time management and text usage
April 6 class meets – attending & concentrating
April 11 Lab day/Tutoring
April 13 class meeting - memory techniques
Week 13-14: Topic - Managing stress
April 18 Lab day/Tutoring/
http://www.learningmeditation.com/reducing.htm
April 20 class meeting
April 25 class meeting - Notebook due
April 27 class meeting - final paper due/ notebooks returned.
Week 15:
May 1-4 Exams, no class meeting
TEST/PROGRESS CHECKS DATES AND TOPICS
Learning and Study Skills Inventory - January10
Notebook due - April 27
Final paper - May 2
TEACHING METHODS
The teaching methods used to accomplish the goals and objectives of this course include lecture, discussion, demonstration, modeling, guided practice, and computer assisted instruction.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
One half of the class time will be spent in the classroom at the scheduled class time, and the remaining half will be spent in academic support lab at times chosen by the student.
Students are expected to attend class ON TIME. Arriving late to class or
leaving early is disruptive to other students and to the instructor.
Attendance at all scheduled class meetings is expected. When you do not attend class, you miss an integral part of the learning experience provided in the course. A percent of the course grade will be based on attendance and participation. If you are not able to attend class, you are still responsible for obtaining notes and handouts from classmates for any classes missed.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: It is the responsibility of students who have professionally diagnosed disabilities to contact the Director of Academic Support Services so that necessary and appropriate modifications can be made to meet any special learning needs.
Guidelines for Study Skills Notebook
Materials needed
1" or 1 ½" three-ring binder
Divider tabs labeled
Goal setting
Learning styles
Note taking & other study aids
Studying math
Test preparation & test taking
Time management
Text reading and usage
Attending, concentrating, remembering
Managing stress
Directions
Assemble notebook with dividers.
Collect information for each topic and place it in the appropriate section of the notebook.
Select one selection from your notebook to share with the class as each topic is presented.
Grading Matrix
|
|
Excellent |
Good |
Poor |
|
Content |
4-5 highly appropriate study skills tips for each section of the notebook |
2-3 study tips for most sections or several tips that are not relevant to college level studying |
fewer than 2 study tips for most sections and/or many tips that are not relevant |
|
Appearance |
Correctly divided labels for each content area, information appropriately placed in each section, holes neatly punched in papers, papers neatly aligned, clear & readable print |
Dividers not labeled or labeled incorrectly, information randomly placed in the notebook, papers of unequal size or unevenly placed in notebook |
no dividers, papers loose in the notebook, illegible print |