Establishing the Learning Center as the Nucleus in a Learner Centered Institution

Saundra Yancy McGuire, Ph.D.Asst. Vice Chancellor for Learning, Teaching, & Retention

Professor, Department of ChemistryPast Director, Center for Academic Success

Louisiana State University

Learning Outcomes• Discuss the “best case scenario” position of the

learning center, and describe the actions necessary to take it from its current position to the “best case scenario” position

• Identify the departments, administrative units and individuals that will be allies in your quest for campus leadership

• Describe the local and national initiatives necessary to improve campus influence

• Discuss specific strategies that will successfully move the learning center to a leadership position

• Write an action plan that you can begin implementing in Fall 2012

Reflection Questions

• What are the major drivers for making the learning center the nucleus of a learner centered institution?

• What are the major barriers to making the learning center a leader on your campus?

Learning Center Partners

• Faculty• Student Organizations• Departments• Colleges• University Centers• Others?

Think/Pair/Share

What are three important characteristics of departments that are campus leaders?

The Role of Learning Support Centers in Academic Improvement

• Provide faculty and TA’s with information on the learning process, characteristics of their students, and learning strategies they can teach students

• Assist faculty in advising students about effective study skills (Absent Professor Program)

• Help students identify the problem with their performance (e.g. memorizing vs understanding)

• Help the institution improve retention and graduation rates

Scientific and Theoretical Bases Supporting the Learning Center Programs

• Cognitive Science Principles

• Metacognition

• Constructivist Learning Theory

Learning Centers Can Significantly ImpactRetention and Graduation Rates…

but we must overcome some significant barriers

IMPACTpresents

Center for Academic Success

Conducted in Spring for all First Year Students Intro Session – High School vs. College Breakout Sessions (Pick 2 topics)

• Ace My Tests/How I Learn• Get Organized/Reduce My Stress

Follow-up Component • College Coaches Pilot for (1.6 – 1.999)

Spring 2010 IMPACT Program Format

Group IMPACT NON-IMPACTAll .50 .01Transfer .93 .04

Group IMPACT NON-IMPACTWarning and Probation 2.04 1.74

Amount of GPA increase from Fall to Spring

Difference in average spring semester GPA

Results from Spring 2010

Group IMPACT NON-IMPACTWarning or Probation 68% 48%

Retention from Spring 2010 to Fall 2010

20% Difference!

Results from Spring 2010

I had fallen below the GPA requirement my scholarship demands, and I was sure there was no hope for me and maybe I just wasn’t cut out for it. However, after IMPACT I really utilized all the tools I was given … With all these tools, I was able to discover that I do have time for other fun and important things, such as a social life and most importantly, sleep… I can now proudly say that after beginning college with a 2.79 GPA, I have just recently finished midterms week with a solid 4.0!!

Thank you so much, and please continue with programs like IMPACT and CAS!!

Student Feedback from Spring 2010

Five Barriers to LC Recognition1. Mindset that we’re only for remedial

students2. Teaching and Learning Centers that focus

only on faculty development3. Attitude that any good, student friendly

faculty or student can effectively tutor4. Learning centers that are not connected to

the community of scholars in this field5. The absence of a clear academic pathway

to working in this area

Ten Habits of Highly Effective LC

Professionals

How many have you adopted?

1. Present workshops at accreditation body meetings (SACS, WASC, NEASC)

2. Publish in learning center and discipline specific journals

3. Get our NCLCA leadership certification; certify our tutors; apply the CAS standards; etc

4. Present our work at meetings outside of the learning center community (POD, NISOD, discipline specific meetings)

5. Offer to help the daughter, son, or other relative of an influential administrator

6. Develop a message that is NOT threatening to faculty, and present faculty development workshops

7. Get recognition for ourselves and our learning centers

8. Work with all students – first year through graduate school, Greeks, Honor Societies, etc.

9. Partner with other units on campus to secure funding (e.g. Student Success & Retention)

10.Stake our claim to the center of the institution!

Becoming the Nucleus…• What are the characteristics of your

institution and learning center (or services)• Who will be involved in moving to the center?• What actions need to be taken?• What human and financial resources will be

needed?• How will you go about getting them?• What will success look like?

We can significantly increase the influence of the learning center!

• We must teach our institution the value of what we do for ALL students

• We must partner with other units• We must continue to be data driven, and

present the data to others• We must continue to improve our services • We must increase our presence on the

national stage and pursue national recognition

Colleagues at LSU, especially the Center for Academic Success, the Division of Student Life and Enrollment Services, and the Department of Chemistry

Sarah Baird, former CAS learning strategist National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA) College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) Dr. Frank Christ Innovative Educators The Teaching, Learning, and Technology Group (TLT) Our many students who have proven to us that

metacognitive strategies really do work!

Acknowledgements

Useful Websites

• http://lsche.net/ • www.howtostudy.org• www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp• www.drearlbloch.com• www.pvc.maricopa.edu/~lsche/• www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html• www.cas.lsu.edu• www.oncourseworkshop.com

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