Rutgers-Camden Learning Center
Academic Support Workshops

Spring 2008

The Rutgers-Camden Learning Center (RCLC) will host a series of academic support workshops for the Spring 2008 term for interested students.  All workshops will take place in Room 108 of Armitage Hall on Wednesdays during the free period from 12:15 pm to 1:10 pm. except for the "But Wikipedia Says It's Right" workshop which will take place in the Robeson Library Electronic Classroom (basement level).
 

Time Management and Avoiding Procrastination, Dr. Robert Ciervo, Director of the RCLC
1/30/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, ARM 108
Learn about why students often procrastinate and the tips to overcome this competing behavior.  Find out about specific techniques to maximize your time through term, weekly and daily planning activities that will allow you to realize your academic goals.

Improving Grammar and Writing Mechanics, Ashley Babcock, RCLC Writing Assistant
2/6/08 & 3/26/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, ARM 108
This workshop will provide an overview of the proper use of punctuation such as comma use, colons, semi-colons, and the proper way to cite sources in MLA papers. Ways to improve sentence structure will also be covered. These topics include, how to avoid using passive voice, “to be” verbs and how to fix “run-on” sentences.

Writing a Great Research Paper,
Ashley Babcock, RCLC Writing Assistant
2/13/08 & 4/2/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, ARM 108
The workshop will focus on how to write a successful research paper. The topics covered will include how to effectively research a topic, tips on writing solid introductions and conclusions, a guide on structuring body paragraphs, and how to write cohesive transition sentences.  

A Tool For Life: Goal-Setting, Timothy Pure,  Learning Specialist
2/20/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, ARM 108
Learn goal-setting in this highly interactive workshop. Participants will: understand the difference between a dream and a goal, design concrete, measurable long-term and short-term goals, and develop action plans for achieving their goals. 

Choosing the Right Note Taking Format, Timothy Pure, RCLC Learning Specialist
2/27/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, ARM 108
Explore different formats of note taking as well as tips to choose the format that best suits individual needs. Formats to be explored include Cornell, T-Notes, column format notes, outline format notes, designer notes, and note-taking on PowerPoint presentations. The workshop will also offer advice on how to best use a word processing program to take notes.

Test Taking Strategies, Dr. Robert Ciervo, Director of the RCLC
3/5/08 & 4/30/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, ARM 108
Learn how to employ different strategies to be effective in mastering multiple choice, essay, short answer and matching type examinations.  Find out how to prepare in advance to improve your test performances.

Understanding and Optimizing Your Learning Style, Timothy Pure, Learning Specialist
3/12/08 & 4/9/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, ARM 108
A brief overview of how the brain learns, as currently understood by science. Common misconceptions, such as left brain/right brain learning, will be debunked. Participants will explore various theories of learning styles (e.g., multiple intelligences theory) before receiving practical recommendations for optimizing one’s learning environment and coursework.            

“But Wikipedia Says It’s Right!”:  Evaluating Resources Critically, Timothy Pure, Learning Specialist
4/16/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, Robeson Library (Follow the signs to the Electronic Classroom)
Workshop will focus on how to choose appropriate resources for college-level research, and to critically analyze resources. Participants will also discuss using Google and Wikipedia in college-level courses. To be taught in collaboration with the staff of Robeson library.

Stress Management for School and Life,
Dr. Robert Ciervo, Director of the RCLC
4/23/08, 12:15-1:10 pm, ARM 108
This workshop will educate students about the different components of stress and how stress can have negative effects on both academic performance and one’s personal life.  Learn the techniques that elite level athletes use to manage stress and enter into a relaxed and focus state to achieve success.

Attention Faculty Members:

The RCLC offers "Learning Strategy" workshops for all RU courses. Faculty members interested in having an RCLC representative present a workshop to his/her class may fill out our Workshop Request Form. Below are examples of some workshops that have been offered in the past.

                        Planning for Success

Time/Self Management

• Avoiding procrastination
• Developing long & short term plans
• Staying on task
• Prioritizing

• Questioning/Challenging established ideas
• Applying information to real life situations
• Evaluating resources

• Learning to analyze, brainstorm, execute, and evaluate solutions

• Becoming aware of how one best processes, retains, and applies information
• Learning to make adjustments to professors’ teaching styles

Learning Strategies

 

 

Note Taking

• Use note-taking system (e.g., Cornell)
• Summarize material

Concentrating in Class

• Active listening
• Asking questions
• Have a purpose
• Becoming aware of distractions

Memory Techniques

• Use preferred modalities to help one learn
• Teach material to another student
• Associate new information with current knowledge

Stress Management/Test Anxiety

• Take control/responsibility for oneself
• Identify stressors & coping mechanisms
• Learn relaxation techniques

Motivation/Goal Setting

• Becoming an active learner
• Staying focused
• Recognizing what motivates oneself