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 RightNortheast Center Office of Academic Support Spring 2011 Workshop SeriesNECAcademicSupport.pbworks.com/workshops

2. AgendaHABITS FOR SUCCESSUnderstanding How You Learn Self-Directed LearningAsking Questions/Finding the Right AnswersSKILLS & STRATEGIESOrganizationReading Learning Contracts/Course SyllabiTime ManagementBreaking Down Assignments

3. HABITS FOR SUCCESS Motivation & Self-Directed Learning

4. Understanding How You Learn

5. Asking Questions

6. Finding the Right AnswersWhat motivates you to succeedthis term?(Fill in the blank space below)

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

10. What Are Learning Preferences? Most people have developed a preference for how they learn.

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

12. Effective learners know how their minds work and adapt their studying strategies to any situation. How do you learn? Understanding how you learn best can help you to maximize your studying strategies to match your strengths.

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

14. What was your process? Think about how did you try to answer the question? What was your problem solving process? Did you talk it out?

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 afterThe 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

20. Identify Your Learning Preference Take a Learning Styles Inventory:VARK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnairehttp://bit.ly/VARKLearningStylesYour VARK preferences can be used to help you develop additional, effective strategies for learning related to how you:take in information; study information for effective learning; andstudy for performing well on an examination. Visual Study Strategies (V)Aural/Auditory Study Strategies (A)Read/write Study Strategies (R)Kinesthetic Study Strategies (K)Multimodal Study Strategies (MM)Attend the Learning Styles Workshop:Workshop Schedule and Resourceswww.necacademicsupport.pbworks.com/workshopsMeet with a Learning Coach Learning Coach Schedules and Contact Informationwww.necacademicsupport.pbworks.com/Learning-Coaches

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

22. Finding the Right AnswersAcademic CourseworkYour Mentor:Contact your mentor for help with: Academic records

23. Degree planning

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

25. Problem solving related to studies and academic skills Your InstructorContact your instructor for help with: Course content

26. Assignments

27. GradesMyESC – Academics Tab: Use this tab to: Access your online courses

28. Engage in degree planning with your mentor

29. Choose studies for the next term, including cross-registration Finding the Right AnswersOffice of Academic Support: Contact the Director Academic Support and/or Learning Coaches for help with: * Writing, reading, mathematics, and statistics * Online and local tutoring services * Study skills (critical thinking, time management, and more) www.NECAcademicSupport.pbworks.com

30. Finding the Right AnswersNortheast Center:Joan JohnsenCoordinator of Student Services 21 British American Blvd.Latham, NY 12110Phone: 518 783-6203 E-mail: Joan.Johnsen@esc.eduSTUDENT SERVICESOffice of Student Services :Contact the Coordinator of Student Services for help with: Disability services (list of contacts)

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.