EDU 1110:     ORACLE:                                                                                                                                          

                       

                        Optimum                                 Fall 2008                                            

                        Reading                                   T/Th sections

                        Attention                                                                     

                        Comprehension

                        Learning

                        Efficiency

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

EDU 1110, ORACLE, is a one-semester, one-credit course which counts as a university free elective. Designed to improve reading and learning efficiency, ORACLE is directed to first-year through graduate students who want to acquire advanced reading and learning techniques. Students will apply a variety of reading and learning techniques to the demands of their other courses, in order to enhance the opportunity for academic success.

 

                              Diagnostic pre- and post-tests determine starting skill levels and measure progress during the semester. Self-assessment of learning styles and current learning skills allows each student to set individual objectives and to build on individual strengths, developing a personalized study system. Weekly out-of-class assignments enable students to address ongoing academic challenges by applying ORACLE strategies to their own courses. Increased rate and comprehension, in combination with improved study strategies, can reduce needed study time and produce better learning with higher grades. This course can help any student to become a more effective, efficient reader and learner. Evaluation is based on attendance and completion of assignments.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will work to:

∑       improve TIME MANAGEMENT and personal ORGANIZATION

∑       determine LEARNING STYLES in order to identify the most effective learning strategies

∑       use a textbook study-reading system to build CONCENTRATION, COMPREHENSION, and

RETENTION

∑       take and use effective lecture and reading NOTES

∑       enhance TEST PREPARATION and TEST TAKING proficiency

∑       determine MEMORY STYLE and use MNEMONIC TECHNIQUES to readily retain and retrieve

   information

∑       expand VOCABULARY to improve reading, writing, listening and speaking

∑       use FLEXIBLE READING RATES, including skimming and scanning, suited to different materials and purposes

∑       improve overall READING RATE

 

COURSE POLICIES The course will be graded pass/fail based on both attendance and assignments.

 

Attendance

Students may miss no more than two classes in a MW or TTh section. There are no excused absences. Three tardies of more than ten minutes equal one absence. If you anticipate that you will miss class due to a university-sponsored activity, you must notify your instructor immediately and provide written verification. Students must attend on the dates when post-tests are administered (see page 6) and must complete the post-tests to pass.

Assignments

To pass, students must satisfactorily complete 8 of the 10 out-of-class assignments. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Assignment 8, the library exercise, is required.

 

COURSE ACTIVITIES

GROUP activities include lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and timed reading exercises to build comprehension and rate. INDIVIDUAL work, prescribed on the basis of pre-tests and self-assessment, will take up remaining class time. Under close supervision, students will use a variety of computer software, print materials, and audio- and videotape programs. Students may also arrange additional independent work with these materials before or after class.

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Alphagraphics package, 3-ring binder with dividers, index cards

1. Purchase the EDU 1110/ORACLE Course Book at Alphagraphics, 3032 Mockingbird Lane.

2. Purchase a large three-ring binder to organize the Course Book and other handouts.

3. Purchase five dividers and create notebook sections labeled Vocabulary, Planning, Assessment,

Course Book, and Assignments.

4. Purchase 100 to 200 4" by 6" index cards to build a word file; please purchase separate cards, not

those bound together in a spiral.

 

TENTATIVE CALENDAR FOR TTh ORACLE SECTIONS

 

Week 1            IN CLASS TUESDAY, 8/26

                                    Receive course outline and A-LEC information

                                    Complete Reading Background form

                                    Take the LASSI, a computerized learning skills assessment

                       

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 8/28

                                    Take the Nelson-Denny Reading Test

                        To prepare for class Thursday

                                    Purchase the Course Book at Alphagraphics, a 3-ring binder, 5 dividers, and

 

Week 2            TUESDAY, 9/2 -- NO CLASS (Monday classes meet today)

 

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 9/4               

                                    Introduction to the Course Book

                                    Begin a personal file of words encountered in your course reading

                                    Begin a semester time management system with a course chart and calendar

                                    Interview a classmate

                        To prepare for class Tuesday

                                    Create 20 word cards to review with a classmate (10 from your focus course

                                               and 10 common but unfamiliar words)

                        ASSIGNMENT 1A and 1B, due Tuesday (two parts):

                                    Assignment 1A: Complete a semester course chart.

            Assignment 1B: Before class on Tuesday, send an email to your instructor                       identifying the biggest challenge(s) in each of your courses.

________________________________________________________________________________

 

Week 3            IN CLASS TUESDAY, 9/9                                                                  

                                    Review word card set 1 with your partner

                                    Interpret your reading and learning skills pre-test results

                                    Set personal goals for ORACLE work

                                    Setting up an organizational system: notebooks and files

Week 3                        Extend time management with a weekly schedule & prioritized daily to-do lists

(conπt.)                         Introduce a classmate                                               

                        To prepare for class Thursday

                                    Plan a tentative weekly schedule with classes, meals, sleep, study, socializing

          

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 9/11

                                    Improve word card set 1

                                    Begin work on reading comprehension and rate with Reading Drill 1

                                    Discuss and revise your tentative weekly schedule             

                                    Software: Ultimate Speed Reader

                        To prepare for class Tuesday

                                    Review word cards                

                        ASSIGNMENT 2A, due Tuesday: Complete a weekly schedule showing time planned                            for classes, meals, sleep, socializing, etc., and specific study times for each

                                    course.

_______________________________________________________________________________

                       

Week 4            IN CLASS TUESDAY, 9/16

                                    Quiz on word card set 1

                                    Reading Drill 2 (add pacing)

                                    Note taking and preparing for tests: the Cornell system

                                    Software: Ultimate Speed Reader

                        To prepare for class Thursday

                                    Create 20 new word cards, set 2

                        ASSIGNMENT 2B, due Thursday: Complete daily to-do lists for three days, showing

                                    A/B/C priorities, time needed, and which tasks were done.

                        ASSIGNMENT 3, due next Tuesday: Apply the Cornell note taking system during

                                    one full lecture class, then complete the recall column with questions. Turn in

                                    a copy of your notes for that class.

  

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 9/18

                                    Review word card set 2 with your partner

                                    Reading Drill 3 (add pacer card)

                                    Note taking and preparing for tests: concept mapping, speed study diagrams

                                    Software: Ultimate Speed Reader or Inspiration                   

                        To prepare for class Tuesday

                                    Review word cards    

_________________________________________________________________________________

Week 5            IN CLASS TUESDAY, 9/23

                                    Quiz on word card set 2

                                    Reading Drill 4 (add survey and question steps)

                                    Textbook study-reading systems: SQ4R

                                    Software: Ultimate Speed Reader or Inspiration

                        To prepare for class Thursday

                                    Create 20 new word cards, set 3

                                    Bring a difficult textbook to class to practice study-reading

 

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 9/25

                        Review word card set 3 with your partner

                                    Reading Drill 5 (add "rite" step after each paragraph)

                                    Practice applying SQ4R to your own textbook assignment

                        To prepare for class Tuesday

                                    Review word cards

Week 6            IN CLASS TUESDAY, 9/30

                                    Quiz on word card set 3        

                                    Reading Drill 6            

                                    Test preparation techniques

                                    Using flexible reading rates, from very slow to very rapid

                                    Skimming exercise 1

                                    Software: Ultimate Speed Reader

                        To prepare for class Thursday

                                    Each day, briefly skim something

                                    Create 20 new word cards, set 4

                        ASSIGNMENT 4, due Thursday: Create a test preparation plan for one upcoming

                                   exam. Turn in a copy of your completed plan.

 

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 10/2

                                    Review word card set 4 with your partner

                                    Reading Drill 7

                                    Skimming 2

                                    Taking multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the blank tests

                                    Review and revise weekly schedule

                                    Software: Ultimate Speed Reader     

                        To prepare for class Tuesday

                                    Review word cards

                        ASSIGNMENT 5, due Tuesday: Complete a learning styles assessment and identify

                                   new study strategies you will try to utilize your styles.

________________________________________________________________________________

                       

Week 7            IN CLASS TUESDAY, 10/7

                                    Quiz on word card set 4

                                    Reading Drill 8

                                    Skimming 3

                                    Choosing new study strategies to suit your learning styles

                                    Taking essay exams

                                    Your choice: small group work with instructor on reducing test anxiety

                                                or work on Ultimate Speed Reader

                        To prepare for class Thursday, 10/16

                                    Create 20 new word cards, set 5

                        ASSIGNMENT 6, due Thursday: Complete ≥Self-Assessment: Halfway≤

  

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 10/9

                                    Library visit: meet at Fondren Library, turn in Assignment 6

                        ASSIGNMENT 7, due next Thursday: Complete the library exercise which your

                                   instructor will give you following our library tour.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Week 8            NO CLASS TUESDAY, 10/14 (Fall Break 10/13 and10/14)

                                   

                        THURSDAY, 10/16

                        Review word card set 5 with your partner

                                    Reading Drill 9

                                    Skimming 4

                                    Your choice: complete small group work with instructor on reducing test

                                               anxiety or work on Ultimate Speed Reader               

                        To prepare for class Tuesday

                                    Review word cards

                        ASSIGNMENT 8, due Tuesday: Create a concept map from a chapter you are

                                               reading in another course.

Week 9            IN CLASS TUESDAY, 10/21

                                    Quiz on word card set 5

                                    Reading Drill 10

                                    Skimming 5

                                    Improving your memory                                

                                    Software: work on Ultimate Speed Reader

                        To prepare for class Thursday

                                    Create 20 new words cards, set 6

                       

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 10/23

                                    Review word card set 6 with your partner

                                    Skimming 6

                                    Mid-semester review: Cornell notes, concept maps, time management tools

                                    Mnemonic techniques: method of loci, rhyming peg words

                                    Introduction to Einstein Memory Trainer software

                                    Note: beginning today, your instructor will schedule a brief in-class conference

                                                with each student. Be ready to bring up any concerns or problems you

                                                have with your courses. Your instructor will be ready to suggest

                                                learning strategies and other resources.

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

Week 10          IN CLASS TUESDAY, 10/28

                                    Quiz on word card set 6

                                    Mid-semester review: SQ4R

                                    Skimming 7

                                    Mnemonic techniques: practice use of rhyming peg words; use Einstein

                                                Memory Trainer to practice method of loci

                                    Individual conferences with instructor or work on software,

                                                Reading for Understanding (RFU) cards, or Best Selling Chapters

                        To prepare for class Thursday

                                    Create 20 new word cards, set 7

                        ASSIGNMENT 9, due Thursday: Evaluate the course which poses the most

                                    problems for you this semester. Analyze the problems and devise a study

                                    plan which addresses these issues.

 

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 10/30

                                    Review word card set 7 with your partner

                                    Skimming 8

                                    Improving concentration

                                    Individual conferences with instructor or work on software,

                                    RFU cards, or Best Selling Chapters

______________________________________________________________________________                 

Week 11          IN CLASS TUESDAY, 11/4

                        Quiz on word card set 7

                                    Pre-registration planning: researching courses for next semester

                        Individual conferences with instructor

To prepare for class Thursday

                        Create 20 new word cards, set 8

Assignment 10 (if needed), due by 11/13: Make an oral presentation to the class. See requirements for Assignment 10 in your course book.

                       

           

Week 11          IN CLASS THURSDAY, 11/6

(conπt.)                         Review word card set 8 with your partner

                                    Mid-semester review: test preparation and test taking

                                    Oral presentations

                                    Individual conferences with instructor

                                    Research courses for next semester through Course Fact Sheets and other

                                                materials

                        To prepare for class Tuesday

                                    Create 20 new word cards, set 8

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

Week 12          IN CLASS TUESDAY, 11/11

                                    Quiz on word card set 8

                                    Take reading post-test

                                    Oral presentations

                                   

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 11/13

                                   Take learning skills post-test

                                    Oral presentations

                                    Review and revise weekly schedule

                                    Research courses for next semester through Course Fact Sheets and other

                                                materials

                        To prepare for class Tuesday

                                    Bring calendar and all syllabi to class to plan for final exams

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Week 13          IN CLASS TUESDAY, 11/18  

                                    Final exam preparation

 

                        IN CLASS THURSDAY, 11/20                                   

                                    Evaluate your post-test results

                                    Complete a course evaluation

_______________________________________________________________________________