Fall 2018 Course Syllabi

STUDY SKILLS UNIV 110 1 SH Instructor Professor Russ Gagnon, 852-3463, not after 9 p.m. Email russ.gagnon@ndus.edu Office Info Minot Phone & Address: 800-777-0750 ext:4338 or 701-858-4338, Fax: 701-858-4232, Admin 160. Office hours only by appointment M-F 9:00-3:00 Textbook Study Skills, Do I really Need This Stuff?, Steve Piscitelli, 3 rd Ed. 978-0-13-278951-6 COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course emphasizes learning skills that are essential for success in college work. It includes study techniques, goal setting, memory and concentration, information literacy, time management, learning styles, note taking, critical thinking, reading, civility, and other techniques for improving student performance. COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course, the student will be able to:  Define critical thinking and use the R.E.D. Model to create solutions and establish a clear study plan  Develop a written schedule with two hours of study time for every hour scheduled in the classroom  Deal with procrastination, set priorities, minimize stress, and organize a study space  Use and evaluate multiple types of information sources to help make an educated decision about challenges  Identify the major motivating force in the student’s life  Identify the preferred learning style, develop and use practical strategies for learning styles  Use and evaluate one note-taking style, identify the teaching style and classroom expectations of instructors  Efficiently use the SQ4R method of reading  Identify and use at least two strategies to help improve how inforamtion is stored  Combat test anxiety and improve test-performance skills  Use at least three active-listening techniques to improve communication skills COURSE CONTENT: “ Assessment of strengths and weaknesses allow students to self-identify what they already do well as a whole and what they need to improve, and then take shorter assessments specific to the study skill topic of each chapter. Chapter opening situations are presented through crisply written 'problem based learning' vignettes to engage in critical thinking and is referenced in key points to reinforce the R.E.D. model. Each chapter concludes with the reader asked to critically apply objectives and strategies and propose a plan for the student in the scenario, again 'problem based learning'. Priority management is a key feature and distinct from time management, as well as Information literacy coverage including social media and how to write for social media - strong and timely.” (Piscitelli) • INTRODUCTION: TODAY IS THE TOMORROW YOU CREATED YESTERDAY • CHAPTER 1: DO I REALLY NEED THIS STUFF • CHAPTER 2: CRITICAL THINKING • CHAPTER 3: PRIORITY MANAGEMENT • CHAPTER 4: INFORMATION LITERACY • CHAPTER 5: MOTIVATION AND GOAL SETTING • CHAPTER 6: LEARNING STYLES • CHAPTER 7: CLASS TIME LISTENING AND NOTE-TAKING • CHAPTER 8: REVIEWING AND USING YOUR NOTES OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM • CHAPTER 9: READING • CHAPTER 10: MEMORY • CHAPTER 11: TEST PREPARATION AND TEST PERFORMANCE • CHAPTER 12: CIVILITY • CHAPTER 13: THE CHOICES YOU MAKE