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Learning Strategies Courses: 2 Approaches. Darla Benton Kearney Learning Strategist Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. Agenda. Introduction PLA Hoops and Solutions ALS Hoops and Solutions Through the Hoop Best Tips Questions. Introduction.
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Learning Strategies Courses:2 Approaches Darla Benton Kearney Learning Strategist Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology
Agenda • Introduction • PLA • Hoops and Solutions • ALS • Hoops and Solutions • Through the Hoop • Best Tips • Questions
Introduction • Will discuss the hoops involved in creating and delivering learning strategies courses • Assuming you all have course content. • Will give course outlines and learning plans for each course at the end of the workshop to give you some more specific details on each course.
Prior Learning Assessment Course • Introduction • Wanted to give credits to students who had already spent time working with a Learning Strategist. • Wanted a flexible option for students to receive a General Education Credit. • Wanted to give fair and equal access to a General Education Credit for all students with disabilities that see a Learning Strategist.
Prior Learning Assessment Course • Hoop 1 • Program Area • Needed to ensure Associate Dean of General Education was on board. • Solution • Met with Associate Dean and provided numbers of students registered with Disability Services who were currently working with a Learning Strategist (LS) • Discussed the benefit of gaining a credit for learning strategies work
Prior Learning Assessment Course • Hoop 2 • Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Model • Offering a PLA course that does not actually exist as a current course. • Solution • Met with PLA office and discussed course. Determined that course could be given a course code specifically for a PLA • At that time did not specify a course equivalent • We would later add the Alternative Learning Strategies course as an equivalent course.
Prior Learning Assessment Course • Hoop 3 • Course Structure to Meet PLA Requirements • Needed to be under a PLA theme • In this case Personal Understanding • Students needed to demonstrate personal understanding • Solution • Series of reflective assignments to be completed with portfolio
Prior Learning Assessment Course • Results • Students more likely to keep and reflect on their learning strategies • Improves motivation and attendance • Not many students have started the PLA • Have a small number of students hoping to start and complete this summer. • Recommendation that it continues in pilot status.
Alternative Learning Strategies Course • Introduction • Wanted students to be able to access an LS earlier in the semester. • Wanted students who did not want to register with DS to have access to an LS. • Wanted increased instructional time for each student with an LD. • Wanted to focus on broader LD issues and needed time to do so.
Alternative Learning Strategies Course • Hoop 1 • Delivery • Through General Arts and Science (GAS) • Special Authorization into the course • Solution • Decided to deliver through GAS as high proportion of students with LD • Discussed numbers and needs with Associate Dean • Banded course with GAS optional course • Discussed registration process with Coordinator and determined that Coordinator would special authorize students who were referred to take the course
Alternative Learning Strategies Course • Hoop 2 • Payment • Development • Delivery • Solution • Academic area paid for development • Service area (DS) pays for delivery • As I am teaching students who would have come to see me individually
Alternative Learning Strategies Course • Hoop 3 • Academic/Service Area Integration • Expectations of each area • Expectations of each person • Communication cycle • Solution • Still working on this one… • Clarify expectations • Set timelines and provide reminders • Identify the differences in timelines between academic and services areas early
Alternative Learning Strategies Course • Results • Student benefits • Improved self-advocacy skills • Pleased to have a credit towards their diploma • Academic area benefits • Variety of other programs trying to have the course delivered to meet the needs of their students • Great deal of support from faculty • Good example of UDI principles in practice • Service area benefits • More efficient use of LS time • Dramatically increased instruction time
Best Tips • For anyone wishing to set up courses around learning strategies, here is a heads up: • Get Deans and Coordinators on board early • Develop a plan/process for communication • Discuss expectations of each area up front • Develop a suitable timeline for the service area and academic program • Promote course early • If funding is available at your college to research the students accessing the course, take it. (Duh!)
Questions • Is there anything that I have not covered that you would like to discuss? • For those of you who have started courses similar to this one, how have they been going?