Strategies for Success Lynn Marecek MaryAnne Anthony Santa Ana College AMATYC November 2008

If they only knew……… …what it takes to be successful! What skills do you want your students to have as they enter your classroom?

Take a Pro-active Approach We can either grumble…. ….OR we can do something about it! We believe math content is not 100% of a developmental course!

Strategies for Success Activities to develop study skills Goal setting Organization Successful student behavior Homework skills Test preparation Self-evaluation Integral part of coursework

History of this project Recognized strong need in our lowest level courses Developed pieces over teaching career Shared often with other faculty Funded partially by Basic Skills Initiative Student Success Innovation Grant Incorporating into our textbook

Basic Goals for Faculty Make each activity easy for teacher to use confidently Needs little prep Gives background information Is easy to grade Integrate strategies into course without using much class time

Basic Goals for Students Activities encourage: active student engagement constant self-reflection student insights – they usually ‘get it’ without teacher input Activities provide value from time spent Activities are easy to do

Group Work Each group has a different activity Each person in the group should fill out the worksheet as a student might Group discussion

Group Reports What did you like about your worksheet? What changes would make it more effective? Where would you use it in your courses? Other comments

Teacher Support Teacher page for each Strategy rationale directions for use suggestions for timing in the course Teachers can seamlessly incorporate study skills in classes easily confidently

Teacher Comments “It gave me some insight into my students” “I knew what some of their “issues” were and how I could best help them in class” “Even did some in my other classes because I liked them so much. ”

Student Comments What was the best part of these activities? “ These study skills are great! Not only for math but for all other classes ” “ You had a chance to really challenge your goals and achieve your dreams ” “ They help you think about what you really want and why we are here ” “ It helped me understand my weaknesses and my strengths ”

Student Comments ……. the best part of these activities? “ You get to see how you work & what things can be done differently to get you to better yourself ” “They helped my brain to work better, smarter” “ It made us realize it by writing it down ” “It prepared you ahead of time” “ It helps you evaluate yourself ” “ Setting a positive mind-frame for life ”

Student Comments ….. the best part of these activities? “Being able to work with other people” “Shows you what you need to improve on” “ That you believe in yourself that you really can pass this class ” “They help you understand” “Helped more on the homework” “It helped get me ready for the test” “That you were concerned, cared”

Student Comments What was the worst part of these activities? “Sometimes, I couldn’t get the answer” “I didn’t like them because I had to work” “ Time consuming but made me think. ” “Maybe study too much”

Addresses AMATYC Standards The curriculum of developmental mathematics programs should… Develop students’ study skills… to enable them to be successful in other courses and in their careers. Beyond Crossroads page 41

California Basic Skills Initiative Addresses Effective Practice D1 D1.1 Developmental education focuses on self-directed learning, with students engaged in actively assessing and monitoring their own motivation and learning.

California Basic Skills Initiative Addresses Effective Practice D2 D2.4 Developmental courses/programs implement effective curricula and practices for development of study skills.

Strategies for Success Syllabus Search Notebook Preparation Autobiography Goals Successful Student Behavior On Time and Ready to Go! Homework Skills

Strategies for Success Test Preparation Test Stress Reduction Test Taking Skills Post Test Check up Test Analysis Mid-semester Check up Reward Yourself!

Teacher Resources For a copy of this presentation the Strategies for Success packet For more information