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DSPS 0800: Learning
Strategies Syllabus
Fall 2006
Cecelia H. Johnson, Associate
Professor
Clement 220; 931-540-2762
Email:
cjohnson@columbiastate.edu;
website:http://cjohnson.columbiastate.edu |
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Course Description |
Learning Strategies (DSPS 0800) will focus on
assisting learners in developing practical study skills techniques to
enhance academic success in college. Materials used are designed for both
individual and group work and will enable students to view the entire
college experience in a more positive way. Every effort will be made to help
students to learn, study, think, and become self-directed. To exit this
course, a grade of "C" or better is required. Learners will receive 3 hours
of institutional credit. The class will meet two days a week as prescribed in the class schedule book. |
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Instruction Methods |
Many methods and varied presentations will be used
to meet the needs and interests of these highly diversified course enrollees. Included in the methods and presentations will be class lectures,
role-playing, video recordings, experiential and cooperative learning, and
guest speakers. |
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Course Objectives |
Upon completion of this course, students should be
able to do the following:
- Set study goals and priorities; establish a
habit of following a sensible schedule for all projects.
- Concentrate on learning and remembering
important facts and information.
- Use skills and techniques to improve
efficient note taking, listening skills, reading textbooks, researching
and writing papers, and studying science, mathematics, English, and social
studies.
- Prepare for and respond to objective and
essay tests.
- Analyze and enrich vocabulary to be able to
communicate more effectively with instructors and peers.
- Recognize and use inductive and deductive
reasoning.
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Prerequisites |
ACT or placement test scores |
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Course Topics |
- Goal setting
- Concentrating and remembering
- Reading
- Note taking
- Test taking
- Life Management
- Critical Thinking
- Communicating across Cultures
- Campus and Community Resources
- Career Planning
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Specific Course Requirements |
Requirements for this course are as follows:
- To attend each scheduled class on time.
- To take all specified standardized tests and
inventories, i.e., Learning Styles Inventory, MBTI, and DISCOVER.
- To take all comprehensive class tests and
examinations as announced.
- To read textbook assignments and answer
accompanying questions before coming to class.
- To participate in individual and group
discussions and activities.
- To prepare a paper, speech and/or project.
The topic/format will be determined by the student with instructor
approval. The instructor will determine the due date for the assignment.
- To access and use student campus e-mail
account to communicate with class peers and the instructor.
- To attend individual sessions with the
instructor. Dates and times will be arranged by the instructor.
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Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware
and Software Requirements |
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Required Textbooks |
The only required text is Becoming A Master
Student, Eleventh Edition, by David B. Ellis. College Survival,
Inc., a program of Houghton-Mifflin Company, published the 2006 edition in
Boston.. Because the textbook is a
workbook with perforated pages, each student is expected to purchase a new
issue. In addition, resource materials, some date-sensitive, are
shrink-wrapped with the textbook, and students need to have the most recent
materials. Becoming A Master Student may be purchased in the Columbia
State Bookstore. |
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Supplementary Materials |
Other materials that will be helpful include:
- Three-ring binder - 1 1/2" wide
- Divider pages with tabs
- Standard-ruled, loose-leaf notebook paper.
(NOTE: Spiral notebooks and spiral notebook paper are not acceptable in
this course. Work submitted on spiral paper will not be accepted.)
- Pens, pencils, highlighters
- 3 x 5 and/or 4 x 6 index cards
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Hardware Requirements |
None. Although students will be expected to
use computers to complete some assignments and to communicate by e-mail,
Columbia State has computer labs at every site and center. The labs contain production software
(i.e.. Microsoft Office) and afford Internet Access to all currently enrolled
students. |
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Assessment and Grading |
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Testing
Procedures |
No special arrangements are
necessary. |
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Grading Procedures |
Evaluation for a final grade will be based on a
variety of assessments made throughout the semester. Therefore, students
should focus attention on doing well on all of the activities in this class.
All student work--class activities, assignments, and examinations--will
be tallied to determine the final letter grade. Please refer to the Grading
Sheet for more specific information. |
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Grading Scale |
A: 90 - 100
B: 80 - 89
C: 70 - 79
F: Below 70
PR: Progress
In addition to the grades listed above, students
may also earn a PR (Progress) grade in the course. The criteria for a
PR grade are posted below:
1. You have made a considerable amount of
progress in the course.
2. In the opinion of the instructor, you have made your best effort and have
made an honest attempt to pass the course.
3. In the opinion of the instructor, you will be able to pass the course,
given another attempt.
4. You have not previously received a PR in the course.
5. You have attended the class regularly until the end of the semester.
Student who receive "PR" or "F" in
any Developmental Studies course MUST re-enroll in that course the next
semester in which they enroll in classes.
Failure to maintain at least a "C" in this
course should indicate to students that they need to register for another
semester in Learning Strategies.
The final grade will be based on the following
standards:
Homework/Participation 21%
Tests 25%
Research 21.5%
Portfolio 20%
Final Examination 12.5%
Grades are not mailed to students. Students must
access grades through Web for Students at www.columbiastate.edu.
Official grades will be posted on December 22,2006, five (5) working days after grades are
required in the
Records Office. Students who need official copies of grades must request it
in writing from Records. Call the transcript information
line at 931-540-2550 for detailed instructions. Students may print a copy of
their grades from Web for Students, but it is not an official copy. |
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Course Ground Rules |
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Accommodations |
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act, students are encouraged to register with the Office of Disability Services (JSC
160, 931-540-2857) for possible assistance with accommodations. Students are
to assume responsibility for voluntarily and confidentially providing
appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of any
disability. Students requesting special accommodations should contact the
Office of Disability Services at the beginning of the
semester. |
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Attendance |
Students should attend class and be on time for
each class meeting (Please see the current CSCC catalog for affirmation of
this policy). Attendance is taken at the beginning of each instructional
period, and three late arrivals to or early departures from class (tardies)
will constitute one absence.
Excessive absences will result in failure, for
there is NO provision for make-up of class sessions. Make sure you work
closely with your instructor should the need for an absence occur.
Adequate time will be given in class to address
most concerns. For additional assistance, the student may
check with the instructor during office hours. Professional counselors are
also available to assist students with individual concerns and are available
by appointment. Contact the Office of Counseling Services at (931) 540-2821
for assistance. |
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Classroom |
Students are on the honor system in this class.
Plagiarism and cheating on papers and examinations will not be tolerated and
will result in disciplinary action as described in the college catalog and
the student handbook. No food, beverages, or tobacco products will be
allowed in the classroom.
Students must silence beepers and cell phones
during class time. Leaving class to answer calls is only permitted when the
instructor has granted consent prior to the beginning of class.
The children of students are not permitted in
the classroom at any time, nor are they permitted to be left unattended at
any time in any campus building.
Disruptive behavior of any kind will not be
tolerated during class. Violators will be asked to leave the classroom
immediately.
In the event of any type of emergency in this
class, please follow the instructor's directions. |
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Guidelines for Communications |
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E-mail |
The subject line of any e-mail sent to the instructor should
include the student's name and the assignment title (if applicable). Senders
who use a word processing program should use Microsoft Word, or they should
save the documents in Rich Text Format (.rtf). For directions for
saving in RTF, se Idaho State College's page at
www.nic.edu/dess/rtf.htm.
Electronic failures in submitting assignments is not an excuse for late
work.
Remember, without facial expressions some
comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording e-mails.
Use standard fonts.
Do not send large attachments without permission.
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc.
should be avoided unless it is necessary to complete an assignment or other
communication.
Respect the privacy of other class members.
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Absence
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Should it be necessary to be absent from class for
any reason, contact the instructor no later than the day of the
absence. Class notes should be obtained from a peer in the class.
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Grading Concerns |
A student who questions an error in grading should
contact the instructor for re-evaluation and/or explanations. It is the
student’s responsibility to keep up with his/her progress and class
materials. Notes on missed class lectures can be obtained from other
students in the class. The instructor will be available to clarify any
questions the student may have concerning the notes or assignments. |
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Drop or Withdraw
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Before dropping the course, students must obtain
the signatures of the instructor or the Director of Developmental Studies
on the Admissions Office Drop Form, and they must also obtain those same
signatures on the DSP Drop Agreement Form.
Students who fail to get official approval to drop
the course will receive an "F." In order to receive a grade of "WD," the
student must contact the Developmental Studies Program Director and provide
appropriate documentation. The last date to drop or withdraw from a class is
Thursday, November 9, 2006. |
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Course Design |
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The course is designed to enhance students'
abilities to learn the basics of success in school as well as success in
life. Students will be required to read the textbook and other materials and
write selected assignments. They will also be expected to think critically before acting
in class and beyond. |
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Web Resources |
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Becoming a Master Student web site
APA Style Essentials by Douglas Degelman, Ph.D. and Martin Lorenzo Harris,
Ph.D.
APA Sample Paper
New Student
Orientation
Sexual Harassment Training |
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Library |
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http://www.columbiastate.edu/library
Online Library Orientation
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Academic Support |
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Student Academic Support Center
Advising Center
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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