Success strategies for this class . . .

Read the Rethink and Revise sections of the assignment document. Begin revising your essay!

A number of students have asked for some advice about how to improve in this class. There are several topics under College Life in the discussion group on that topic, so I suggest you go back and read those entries and then add to them. But here are some other ideas:

• Do everything! All the small assignments and activities, for sure. Read and write in the discussion group frequently.
  
• Read everything! Don't just skim or scan the pages. Read them carefully. Print them out. Highlight the important points.
• Write something for this class every day! If you've written a draft, revise -- and then revise again.
• Ask questions! The Help & Feedback section of the discussion group is the student's best friend. Ask your questions there!
  

Essay #1: Learning Styles

This first essay asks you to analyze your learning preferences using several inventories that are available on the web. Most of us have a preferred way to learn, although we may not have been aware of that preference. The inventories should help you look at your own preferences critically.

Teachers have preferred ways of presenting course content, and sometimes they aren't aware of those preferences either. In the classes you are currently taking, analyze your teachers' teaching styles or preferences.

Just as there is no right or wrong learning style, there is no right or wrong teaching style either. It's especially useful, however, to be able to size up a teaching style at the very beginning of the semester by looking at the course syllabus and class activities. Then you can adapt your learning strategies to make the best use of the teachers' styles in your classes. This essay will help you figure out how to do that. Useful, huh?

VIDEO: Use this link to access a video about learning styles. It is geared for elementary school teachers, but it presents information about learning styles in an interesting way.