Learning Center Toolkit Alan Craig RetiredLearning Tutoring Centers

Learning Center Toolkit Alan Craig Retired—Learning & Tutoring Centers Adjunct Math Instructor Perimeter College of Georgia State university ACraig 5@gsu. edu http: //sites. gpc. edu/acraig/ NCLCA Institute, Milwaukee, WI June 25 -28, 2017

Objectives of This Session • Identify and discuss key functions, resources, and initiatives for learning center leaders • Share ideas for improving our centers • Network with participants • Discuss your specific concerns 2

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 3

Perimeter College of Georgia State University • • Two-year college Academic transfer mission Five commuter campuses in suburban Atlanta 21, 000 students with a minority enrollment of 14, 000; median age is 22 • 15% are international students; 157 countries 4

Our Building 5

LTC Entrance 6

My Background • • • AA Liberal Arts, Hillsborough Community College BA & MA Mathematics, U of South Florida Ed. D. Developmental Education, Grambling State U Retired as LTC Director, 5 campuses. NCLCA Past President NCLCA LCE Evaluator LSCHE Webmaster/Content Editor 23 Years Corporate IT – FORTRAN Programmer to CIO Member of NCLCA, ATP, CRLA, NADE, GATA, HES 7

Introductions • • • Name Institution Center How long Top concern 8

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 9

What is a Learning Center? NCLCA defines a learning center at institutions of higher education as interactive academic spaces which exist to reinforce and extend student learning in physical and/or virtual environments. A variety of comprehensive support services and programs are offered in these environments to enhance student academic success, retention, and graduation through applying the best practices of student learning theory and addressing student -learning needs from multiple pedagogical perspectives. Staffed by professionals, paraprofessionals, faculty, and/or trained student educators, learning centers are designed to reinforce the holistic academic growth of students by fostering critical thinking, metacognitive development, and academic and personal success. The learning center is a place where students and students’ needs come first. 10

What are some key Services, Programs, and Functions of a Learning Center? 1. Academic Coaching/learning skills/study strategies 2. Tutoring (drop in and/or appointment) 3. Emporium support/tutoring 4. Peer Cooperative Learning (e. g. , SI, SLA, PLTL) 5. Computer-assisted instruction (e. g. , MML) 6. Academic testing/evaluation 7. Developmental labs/courses 8. Faculty services (Teaching & Learning Center) 9. Disability services 10. Instructional materials-print, audio, video, online 11

What are the Services, Programs, and Functions of a Learning Center? 10. Academic recovery 11. Computer lab 12. Referral to other campus programs/services 13. Partner with advising and counseling 14. Campus ombudsperson 15. Staff/tutor training and development 16. Publicity/public relations 17. Program evaluation Other services? 12

Staff Pictures at Entrance 13

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 14

Group Exercise You have just been hired as a new learning center director reporting to the dean of academic affairs. The dean is concerned that the learning center isn’t as effective as it should be. In addition, you discover that the tutoring center has a poor working relationship with a key department. What do you do in your first three months in your new job? 15

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 16

Math Lab 17

But…! 18

A Few Ways to Generate Ideas for Developing New or Improving Existing Tutoring Centers • Meet with/survey administrators, department chairs, student affairs directors, students • Visit other centers; review other center websites • Review LSCHE http: //www. lsche. net • Join LRNASST • Read Starting a Learning Assistance Center and part of Improving Student Learning Skills • Review tutor training ideas at http: //www. crla. net • Review CAS Learning Assistance Program standards • Conduct an informal review using NCLCA Learning Centers of Excellence Checklist 19

Conduct Informal LCE Review I. Programs and Services II. Organizational Framework III. Academic Integrity and Learning Environment IV. Funding, Resources and Design V. Staff and Professional Development VI. Promotion and Public Relations VII. Assessment and Evaluation http: //www. nclca. org/LCs_of_excellence 20

Some Possible Steps to Take • • Develop/Update Current Situation Analysis Develop/Update Mission/Vision Develop/Update Strategic Plan (2 – 5 year view) Determine programs/services to add/change/delete Develop/Update LC handbook (for tutors/staff) Establish status reporting mechanism Understand budgeting process and tracking mechanism • Prepare to do an annual report • Implement program evaluation 21

LC Development and Improvement Areas Advisory Board Funding Space and Furnishings Professional Development Standards/ Best Practices Goals, Objectives, SLOs Policies Job Descriptions Tutor Hiring/Trainin g Strategic Plan Startup Decisions Comprehensive Support Services Evaluation Marketing/PR Annual Report 22

Does your center have • A strategic plan • Goals/objectives • Student Learning Objectives • An advisory board • An annual report/ process • A status reporting mechanism • Tutor hiring/training process ? • Staff/Tutor Handbook • Adequate funding • Adequate space/furnishings • Comprehensive support services • A set of policies • A marketing plan • An evaluation plan • Job descriptions 23

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 24

Key Resources • LSCHE, LRNASST • NCLCA, ATP, CRLA, UMKC & Local/Regional Associations • Academic Coaching Resources • Learning Strategies Websites • Tutor Training Resources • Supplemental Instruction • Vendors/Products 25

• A multitude of resources for the learning center director – http: //www. lsche. net – Center names, mission statements, floor plans – References—articles, books, dissertations – Website excellence award – Bibliographies – Calendar of events – Position descriptions – Much, Much More! 26

Two Key Resources: • Best/Promising Practices [handout] – http: //www. lsche. net/? page_id=271 • Starting a Learning Assistance Center – http: //www. lsche. net/? page_id=523 27

LRNASST • LRNASST Listserv • An active Listserv that supports those interested in learning centers, learning assistance, and developmental education • Ask Questions • Join at – http: //www. lists. ufl. edu/archives/lrnasst-l. html – or just google LRNASST 28

NCLCA www. nclca. org • Supporting Learning Center Professionals • Learning Center Leadership Certification (individual) • Learning Centers of Excellence • The Learning Assistance Review (full archive online) • Newsletter; Conference Proceedings • Awards and Grants • NCLCA Institute (summer) • WOWS - Webinars 29

Other Organizations 30

CRLA ITTPC, CAS Standard Ø CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certification www. crla. net Ø CAS Standard on Learning Assistance Programs www. cas. edu (LAP standard available on NCLCA home page www. nclca. org) 31

Supplemental Instruction • SI is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. Proven effective. – SI sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together. • University of Missouri—Kansas City – http: //www. umkc. edu/asm/si/index. shtml • SI program certification 32

Peer-Led Team Learning • Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) is focused on STEM courses. Research has demonstrated that PLTL improves student learning. – http: //pltlis. org – The Center for Peer-led Team Learning • https: //sites. google. com/site/quickpltl/ 33

Academic Coaching Resources • Conference: Teaching Academic Survival and Success – http: //tassconference. org • Handbook of College Reading and Study Strategy Research, 2 nd Ed, – Flippo & Caverly, Eds. – Framework, Reading Strategies, Study Strategies, Program Delivery • Teach Students How to Learn, – Mc. Guire & Mc. Guire • Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning – Brown, Roediger III, & Mc. Daniel 34

Academic Coaching Resources • Bjork Learning and Forgetting Lab – https: //bjorklab. psych. ucla. edu/research/ • Metacognition – https: //cft. vanderbilt. edu/guides-sub-pages/metacognition/ • SQ 3 R: http: //www. studygs. net/texred 2. htm • Pinterest for Cornell Note Taking: – https: //www. pinterest. com/explore/cornell-notes/ • Learning Myths – https: //www. fastcompany. com/40420472/five-popular-myths-aboutlearning-that-are-completely-wrong – http: //www. npr. org/sections/ed/2017/03/22/520843457/you-probablybelieve-some-learning-myths-take-our-quiz-to-find-out 35

Academic Coaching Resources • University of Cincinnati – https: //www. uc. edu/aess/lac/academiccoaching. html • University of West Georgia – https: //www. westga. edu/student-services/cas/academic-coaching. php • Iowa State – http: //www. asc. dso. iastate. edu/coaching • University of Tennessee – http: //studentsuccess. utk. edu/academic-coaching/what-is-academic-coaching/ • Georgia Tech – http: //success. gatech. edu/coaching • Texas A&M University – http: //successcenter. tamu. edu/Academic-Coaching 36

A Few Learning Strategies Websites • Virginia Tech http: //ucc. vt. edu/academic_support/study_skills_information. h tml • U of Central Florida http: //sarconline. sdes. ucf. edu/? page_id=344 • Study Guides & Strategies http: //www. studygs. net • Cal Poly http: //sas. calpoly. edu/asc/ssl. html • Texas Tech: Study Tips on Pinterest 37 – http: //www. pinterest. com/ttuadvising/study-tips/

Learning Center Management Products Tutor. Trac (& Accudemia/Accu. Lite) 38

Tutor/Staff Handbook • See handout for topics to include • Harvard Bureau of Study Counsel Tutor Handbook – http: //bsc. harvard. edu/files/bsc/files/tutor_handbook_revised_august_20_2 013. pdf • De Anza College Student Success Center Tutor Handbook – https: //www. deanza. edu/studentsuccess/academicskills/f 12 tutorhandbook. pdf • UVU Math Lab Tutor Handbook – https: //sites. google. com/site/mathlabuvu/Tutor-Certification/tutorcenter-policies--orientation • Purdue Athletics Academic Support Services Handbook – http: //grfx. cstv. com/photos/schools/pur/sports/acad-services/auto_pdf/2015 -16/misc_non_event/tutor_manual_201516. pdf 39

Suggested Tutor Training Material/Sites • CRLA Tutor Training Handbooks • NC State Videos/Put the Pencil Down (M. Toms) – http: //tutorial. dasa. ncsu. edu/tutor-training-products/ • City College of San Francisco LAC – http: //www. ccsf. edu/Services/LAC/Lern 10_Online_Tutor_Training/ • University of Richmond Training for Tough Tutorials – http: //writing 2. richmond. edu/training/tough/index. html • The Master Tutor/Cambridge Stratford Institute – http: //www. cambridgestratford. com/tutoring. html • A Training Guide for College Tutors and Peer Educators (S. Lipsky) 40

Our Group Tutoring Room 41

A Sample of Online Tutoring Vendors 42

Poster Sources • • • http: //www. allposters. com http: //www. mathematicianspictures. com http: //www. alastore. ala. org/ http: //www. Teacherstorehouse. com http: //www. Edugraphics. net http: //www. posterrevolution. com/subjects/in dex. cfm? s=Education 43

Resources, Vendors, Products , r o d n e v , e c r u o s y e l r h a g i e h r e k h n t i h t Is u o y t c u d o r p or ? d e t s i l t o of, n 44

Dunwoody LTC Hallway 45

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 46

Group Exercise (If Time Permits) Through visits to departments on campus and surveys of various groups (students, faculty, staff, administration), you determine that your new learning center is not as visible as you believe it needs to be. Brainstorm marketing/publicity/public relations ideas for your learning centers. Each group focus on one audience (students, faculty, staff, or admin). 47

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 48

Marketing • • • Logo/Branding Center brochures, flyers Promotional items: bookmarks, pencils Website/Social Media Campus/student newspaper, video, audio, TV, radio Advisory Board Student, faculty, adjunct faculty orientations Faculty development days, Department meetings Tours, class visits, open houses Regular meetings with administrators, faculty, staff Status reports, annual reports, statistics Award ceremonies; tutor pinning 49

Status Reporting • Sections of a Status Report: – Issues/Concerns/FYI – Accomplishments – Plans/In Progress • ONE page • Three items per section 50

Advisory Board • • • [handout] Provide advice and counsel Promoting the learning center Prioritize initiatives, budget Review learning center status Meet from 2 – 4 times per academic year Members: important or influential department chairs, faculty, administrators, staff, advisors, students 51

Annual Reports • Report annually on how your center is doing, the good and not-so-good, usage and impact statistics, initiatives/projects, what the center needs… • Find examples on LSCHE at – http: //www. lsche. net/? page_id=8324 – Texas A&M Academic Success Center – Clemson University Academic Success Center – Florida State University Academic Center for Excellence • Ball State University http: //cms. bsu. edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/universitycollege/learningcente r/about • University of Louisville REACH Annual Report 2013 -2014 52 – https: //sharepoint. louisville. edu/sites/reach/Shared%20 Documents/REACH%202 013 -14%20 Tutoring%20 Services%20 Annual%20 Report. pdf

Writing Center & Chemistry Center 53

Website/Social Media • Website – Support online students – Over 1500 LC websites on LSCHE • • • Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Blogs 54

Facebook https: //www. facebook. com/GPCLTC 55

Jaggy 56

Celebrate! • National Tutoring Week (Oct 2 -6) – Ideas: http: //www. lsche. net/? page_id=4505 • Tutor Certification—Pinning Ceremony • Pot Luck Luncheons/Picnics 57

Potluck Luncheon 58

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 59

Center Goals/Student Learning Objectives • Set Learning Center goals/objectives • Set Student Learning Objectives (aka Student Learning Outcomes) • Determine how to measure them • UNC-Greensboro Tutoring and Academic Skills Program – http: //success. uncg. edu/forms/TASP-Goals-Objectives. SLOs. Chart_2014_2015. pdf • Antelope Valley College – https: //www. avc. edu/sites/default/files/studentservices/lc/New. LC 1213 Goalsand. Obj. . pdf • The College at Brockport – https: //www. brockport. edu/academics/student_learning_center/tips/out comes. html 60

Program Evaluation • Partner with Institutional Research • Establish a tracking database • Determine how the LC is viewed by students, faculty, staff, administrators • Possible measures: – Student usage/demographics/satisfaction – Student learning skills improvement/pass rates/ retention/ grades • University of Hawaii Academic Support Annual Report of Program Data – http: //www. hawaii. edu/offices/cc/arpd/academicsupport. php? action=quantitativeindicator s&college=HAW&year=2015&program=173 • Central Oregon CC Tutoring & Testing Assessment Plan – http: //www. cocc. edu/assessment/student-services/tutoring-and-testingassessment-plan/ 61

Program Evaluation • Assessing Academic Support: The Effects of Tutoring on Student Learning Outcomes http: //eric. ed. gov/? id=EJ 689654 • CRLA white paper on assessment – http: //www. crla. net/index. php/publications/crla-white-papers • Kostecki, J. , & Bers, T. (2008). The effect of tutoring on student success. The Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 16(1), 6 -12. • Trammell, J. (2005). Learning about the learning center: Program evaluation for learning assistance programs. The Learning Assistance Review, 10(2), 31 -40. • Example assessment plan (LSU Center for Academic Success) – http: //students. lsu. edu/sites/default/files/resources/files/LSU%2020142015%20 Assessment%20 Plan%20 CAS%20 SLE. pdf • Gene Shackman—Beginners Guides to Evaluation – http: //gsociology. icaap. org/methods/Basicguides. Handouts. html 62

- 19 199 9 99 - 20 200 0 00 - 20 200 1 01 - 20 200 2 02 - 20 200 3 03 - 20 200 4 04 - 20 200 5 05 - 20 200 6 06 - 20 200 7 07 - 20 200 8 08 - 20 09 19 98 Visits Year-by-Year Dunwoody LTC Sign-in Count 60, 000 50, 000 40, 000 30, 000 20, 000 10, 000 Summer Spring Fall 0 63

Student Visits by Subject Spring 2013 Student Visits to LTC Mathematics Social Science Business/Comp Science Chemistry Humanities 15% Chemistry 12% Humanities Mathematics Business/Comp Sci Social Science Foreign Lang/ESL Science 19% Community Visitors Dental Hygiene Other 64

Contents • • • Introduction and Background What is a Learning Center? Group Exercise—First Steps Key Resources Group Exercise—Marketing/Publicity/Public Relations Student Learning Objectives/Program Evaluation Recommendations and Suggestions 65

Recommendations & Suggestions • Learn more about tutoring centers and learning assistance • Assess your situation – – • • Interviews/surveys of students, faculty, administrators, staff NCLCA Learning Centers of Excellence criteria Best/Promising Practices on LSCHE External evaluation/benchmarking Develop and share one-year and multi-year plans Collaborate and communicate—publicity/public relations Achieve CRLA ITTPC Achieve LCLC for yourself and staff Set a goal to achieve NCLCA LCE designation Ensure professional development—for you and your staff Evaluate your program and share results Celebrate! 66