Learning Beyond the Classroom The Science Learning Center

1. Learning Beyond the ClassroomThe Science Learning Center Rebecca Moden Stark State College North Canton, OH 2YC3 Conference – May 20th/21st

2. Overview • Learning beyond the classroom • Learning center verses tutoring Center • The Science Learning Center at Stark State College • Start up / budget • Staff • Hours • Upcoming events & workshops • Benefits • Difficulties / Issues • Future plans • Open Forum

3. Learning Beyond the Classroom • Students problems in the Sciences: • Students have problems memorizing material. • Most students have issues applying the knowledge they have learned to theory based questions. • Students believe that reading science text books are very difficult. • Once students are lost in a course they need help getting caught up. • Students make the science much harder than they are. • Study habits are not adequate for the subject material. • Students also have problems navigating in web courses. • On-line homework also creates major problems for students • Math problems and writing lab reports.

4. Learning Beyond the Classroom • So how do we address all of these issues? • We can create a place where students can go to: • study independently • study in a group • work with an instructor • work with a peer tutor • use a computer to complete tasks with or without assistance on lab reports, course work, on-line homework • Utilize materials provided to get a better understanding • Glassware • Balances • Models • Kits • Charts

5. Learning Center verses Tutoring Center • What are the similarities and differences in a Learning Center and a Tutoring Center? • Both centers would offer the following: • Offers skilled tutors with degrees in the subject material • Offers peer tutors • Learning Centers – go above and beyond: • Offer hands on materials to improve retention • Offer computers and computer support • Offer programs to cover more difficult material • Offer a variety of science text books • Provide charts, tables, and other visual materials

6. The Science Learning Center at Stark State College • We have one SLC coordinator • Administrative duties including HR, development, finance • 2-3 desk attendants • 20+ tutors • Full time faculty, Adjunct faculty, External Tutors, Students • SLC specializes in the lab based sciences: • Chemistry (5), Biology (10) and Physics (4) • Room large enough to contain • Sign in station – with a sign in computer and phone • 10 computer stations • Storage units • 8 – 5ft tables with a total capacity of 42 students/tutors • We have a wall of cabinets to hold materials and a sink to conduct experiments/clean.

7. Budget • Depending on the room your school can provide and materials that are available your cost can very greatly. • Funding may be available from the following sources: • Your school’s budget • Donation from local businesses • Lab fee’s • Tuition fee’s • Grants • If the above sources are not accessible other sciences can be included to increase the need at the college.

8. Start Up Check List • Determine the budget • Obtain a secure room or area • Ask for the following items installed in room • Computer stations the more the better • Built in cabinets with locks • Sink • Determine the materials you will need (models/kits) • Set basic rules • Some determined by what is in your center/general rules • Set expectations for staff • Determine amount and type of staff • Set hours and justify schedules • Obtain a phone and computer for sign in desk

9. Staffing • Tutors • Adjunct faculty • Must have taught the material or have extensive knowledge of the subject material • Student tutors • Must have an A or B in the courses they tutor • Full time Faculty • All full time faculty at stark state are required to donate one hour of their office hours to work in the center • Tutoring Assistants • We have open positions for individuals that are not associated with Stark State that have Bachelor degree’s in the subject area they wish to tutor • Desk attendants • Students working up to 20 hours per week

10. Hours • Our hours: • Monday-Thursday 8:30am-8:00pm • Friday 8:30am-4:30pm • Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm • Hours are always subject to change based on the following criteria • Current semester • Fall, Spring or Summer • Breaks or final exams • Tutor availability • Student interest

11. Upcoming Events and Workshops • Summer 2011 • Chemistry and Physics weekly lab report workshop • Fall 2011 • Chemistry and Physics lab report workshop • Offered the first 3 weeks of the semester multiple times • Lab reports support sessions • Offered all semester 1 time per week • GOB I lab 6 workshop – How to write equations • Offered multiple times in appropriate week for lab 6 • GOB I and GOB II Lab practical workshops • Offered multiple times in the appropriate weeks during

12. Benefits • Gives the students an area where other students are also studying science • Allows students to obtain free tutoring services • Students can see the same tutor each time or different tutors to obtain a different point of view • The hands on materials can help students solidify what they learned in the classroom • Gives a neutral area that students feel comfortable going to talk to their instructors. • Not in class in front of other classmates but not in the instructors office • Working problems and studying helps the students fully understand the material

13. Difficulties / Issues • How many tutors should be hired at a given time? • What should be the minimum time frame that a tutor can sign up for? • I require more than 1.5 hour time frames • What should you do if tutors consistently cancel or show up late. • Should the center be closed if tutors are not available during a specific time of the day? • A staff member must be present for the center to be open • Who should be enforcing the rules? • The coordinator defiantly should but what about other staff members?

14. Future Goals • We plan to implement more workshops as needed • Faculty will suggest necessary areas for improvement • Practice lab techniques • Pipette with a suction bulb • Read balances • Read the correct number of significant figures based on the glassware that is used. • Peer study groups • Days of the week will be designated for specific classes. Tutors will be available if necessary for issues but will not directly involved with the session.