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Deborah S. Podwika, M.A., C.S.M. Cari Stevenson, M.S. Kankakee Community College

Helping Veteran Students Succeed in Class. Midwest Institute For Students & Teachers of Psychology February 23, 2013. Deborah S. Podwika, M.A., C.S.M. Cari Stevenson, M.S. Kankakee Community College. Why We HAVE TO Consider Vets.

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Deborah S. Podwika, M.A., C.S.M. Cari Stevenson, M.S. Kankakee Community College

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  1. Helping Veteran Students Succeed in Class Midwest Institute For Students & Teachers of Psychology February 23, 2013 Deborah S. Podwika, M.A., C.S.M.Cari Stevenson, M.S.Kankakee Community College

  2. Why We HAVE TO Consider Vets • According to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center 32,001 service members had Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in 2011. • As of the end of 2012, 559,893 veterans have been compensated for PTSD as well. (US Dept. Vet. Affairs) • In 2010, the Illinois’ VA Summary reported 21,964 Illinois veterans were making use of GI Bills for education. • Across the Nation Colleges & Universities will be serving over 2 Million veterans returning from Iraq & Afghanistan War. (American Council on Education)

  3. Keep In Mind… • ALL vets are different • Some may have a great deal of difficulty & some may not! • Some may not be diagnosed yet or be in treatment yet . • You may not know they are at Vet • Respect their privacy

  4. General Issues… • Attention • Memory • Executive Function • Processing Speed/Reaction Time • Physical Disabilities • Anxiety/Depression/PTSD/Concussions

  5. Creating a Vet Friendly Class Environment • Syllabus Statement • "Veterans and active duty military personnel with special circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill requirements, disabilities) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor.“ (VA Veteran’s Toolkit) • Policy on Background Noises – Students Talking, Cell Phones, Headphones/Earplugs etc. • Absence Policy for Reserve Duty etc. • Seat Location – Front or Back - Door? • Time of Class – Most alert (medication etc.) • Course Materials available online (Courseware package/Web): Syllabus/Calendar/Asgn etc.

  6. Creating a Vet Friendly Class Environment • Groups for discussion or projects • They may need to leave the class due to Triggers (Laser Pointer) • Behavior • Be familiar with Campus Policies on Withdrawals for Service, Special Accommodations etc. • Extra help sessions besides or instead of a Office Hour (Veteran Specific Tutoring & Courses) • Do you want to give them more time to absorb Material • Encourage Students to come talk to you about difficulties they are having in classroom

  7. Creating a Vet Friendly Class Environment • Announcements on Vet’s Club, VAC visits etc. • Announcing Freshman Experience/Success Course • Perhaps incorporate Military examples within content • Example: Spc. Dennis Wiechel “Altruism”

  8. Altruism Spc. Dennis Weichel of the Rhode Island National Guard

  9. What Can We Suggest To Help Vet Students? • Cognition/Learning/Memory/Study Methods • Dr. Dewey’s “6 Hour D” • Dr. Chew’s Videos • Drs. Joe Ferrari & Tim Pychyl Procrastination • Variety of Learning Aids • DVBIC: 10 Ways to Improve Your Memory • Blogs/Email for student with written Announcements, outline etc. for students to review (Use to more Directions) • Work on one task at a time & make smaller goals • Active Student

  10. What Can We Suggest To Help Vet Students? • Cognition/Learning/Memory/Study Methods • Note Taking Method Examples • Listening & Taking notes • Tape Recorder (USB to Word)

  11. Other Campus Support • Veteran’s Support Club • Veteran’s Space – Prairie State • Other Community Resources • Website with Info • Advisor/Counselor • VA’s Coaching into Care

  12. Discussion • What issues are you having? • What are you doing in your classes?

  13. Other Resources • VA Campus Toolkit http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/studentveteran/ • Serving Those Who Serve: Higher Education and America's Veterans http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Georgetown-Summit.aspx • Serving Those Who Serve: Making Your Institution Veteran-Friendly. American Council of Education http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Documents/Serving-Those-Who-Serve-Making-Your-Institution-Veteran-Friendly.pdf • Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center http://www.dvbic.org/resources • Outreach Center for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Support http://www.dcoe.health.mil/24-7help.aspx • Sullivan, E. “Helping Your Students Succeed in the Classroom” Hines VA Hospital Presentation Oct 19, 2012. • Student Veterans of America http://www.studentveterans.org/ • Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions http://vetfriendlytoolkit.org/

  14. Contact Information Cari Stevenson cstevenson@kcc.edu (815) 802-8724 Debbie Podwika dpodwika@kcc.edu (815) 802-8712 Kankakee Community College 100 College Drive Kankakee, IL 60914 Fax: 815.802.8101

  15. In Honor of… Aron C. Michalski age 24, of Plainfield, IL, and Marine Corp VeteranEnded his pain Nov. 29, 2012.

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