ORACLE: Optimum Reading Attention Comprehension Learning Efficiency

HDEV 1110: ORACLE

Optimum Reading Attention Comprehension Learning Efficiency

Fall 2012 MW Classes

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COURSE DESCRIPTION
HDEV 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 to enhance their opportunity for academic success.

A diagnostic pre- and post-test determine starting learning skill levels and measure progress during the semester. Self-assessment allows each student to set individual objectives and to build on individual strengths, developing a personalized study system. Out-of-class assignments enable students to address ongoing academic challenges by applying ORACLE strategies to their other 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. Grading is based on attendance and completion of assignments.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will work to:

improve TIME MANAGEMENT by using long-range, mid-range, and short-range tools
create a personal system for ORGANIZATION
determine LEARNING PREFERENCES 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
improve MEMORY and use MNEMONIC TECHNIQUES to readily retain and retrieve

information

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 A-F based on both attendance and assignments.

Attendance
Students may miss no more than two classes, and there are no excused absences. Being more than ten minutes late equals ¼ of an absence. More than two absences will lower your final grade; after the second absence, five points will be deducted from your final grade for each additional absence.
If you anticipate missing class due to a university-sponsored activity, notify your instructor immediately and provide written verification. Students must take the learning strategies post-test (see date on page 5) to complete the course.

Assignments
Ten assignments are worth a total of 100 points. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. If an assignment is turned in one class later than the due date, one point will be deducted from the assignment grade. Beyond that day, late assignments will not be accepted and will earn a grade of zero.

Final grades will be based on this scale:
            A =      93 to 100 points
            A- =     90-92
            B+ =     87-89
            B =       83-86
            B- =     80-82
            C+ =     77-79
            C =       73-76
            C- =     70-72
            D+ =     67-69
            D =       63-66
            D- =     60-62
            F =       59 or fewer points

COURSE ACTIVITIES
Class activities include lectures, discussions, demonstrations, software, and timed reading exercises to build comprehension and rate. Other class time will be spent on individual work, prescribed on the basis of pre-test and self-assessment, and on applying new reading and learning strategies to your other courses.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Alphagraphics package

Purchase the EDU 1110/ORACLE Course Book at Alphagraphics.

3032 Mockingbird Lane, between the SMU Bookstore and CVS Pharmacy
Open Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM (not open evenings or weekends)
Phone (214) 363-1101
The Course Book comes in a 3-ring binder with dividers

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

* Disability Accommodations: Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS) at 214-768-1470 or www.smu.edu/alec/dass.asp <http://www.smu.edu/alec/dass.asp> to verify the disability and to establish eligibility for accommodations. They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements. (See University Policy No. 2.4.)

* Religious Observance: Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. (See University Policy No. 1.9.)

* Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities: Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity should be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up the work. (University Undergraduate Catalogue)

Attached is a tentative course calendar

Day/date	In class	For our next class
M, 8/20	Syllabus and course calendar Reading Background Learning & Study Strategies Inventory Letter to yourself
W, 8/22	Interpret LASSI results and set goals for ORACLE Video: Brain-based learning (first half) Discuss Assignment 1: full class participation and Assignment 10: learning strategies portfolio	Purchase Course Book and bring to next class
M, 8/27	Bring Course Book to class Video: Brain-based learning (second half) The myth of multi-tasking Vocabulary building Time management: course chart, calendar Interview a classmate	Assignment 2 (course chart) due Wed., 8/29
W, 8/29	Assignment 2 is due (course chart) Organization: notebooks and files Time management: weekly 24/7 schedule Introductions	Draft a tentative schedule and bring to class Wed., 9/5 Assignment 3 (calendar) due Wed., 9/5
M, 9/3	NO CLASSES – Labor Day Holiday
W, 9/5	Assignment 3 is due (Semester at a Glance calendar) Comprehension and rate: Reading Drill 1 Time management: daily to-do lists, share & finish schedule Reading rate software Introductions	Assignment 4 (24/7 schedule) due Mon., 9/10
M 9/10	Assignment 4 is due (24/7 schedule) Reading Drill 2, add pacing Note taking & preparing for tests: the Cornell system Reading rate software	Assignment 5 (Cornell notes) due Mon., 9/17
W, 9/12	Reading Drill 3, add pacer card Note taking & preparing for tests: concept mapping, speed-study diagrams, parallel note taking Reading rate software	Assignment 5 (Cornell notes) due Mon., 9/17
M, 9/17	Assignment 5 is due (Cornell notes) Reading Drill 4, add survey and questions Textbook study-reading Reading rate software OR Inspiration, concept mapping software	Bring a difficult textbook to class to practice SQ4R
W, 9/19	Bring a difficult textbook to class Reading Drill 5, add “rite” step Guided practice in using SQ4R Reading rate software OR Inspiration, concept mapping software
M, 9/24	Reading Drill 6 Test preparation techniques Flexible reading rates Skimming 1	Assignment 6 (test prep plan) due Wed., 9/26 Each day, briefly skim something

Day/date	In class	For our next class
W, 9/26	Assignment 6 is due (test prep plan) Reading Drill 7 Skimming 2 Taking objective tests Reading rate software
M, 10/1	Reading Drill 8 Skimming 3 Taking essay exams Learning preferences
W, 10/3	Reading Drill 9 Skimming 4 Record in your folder new learning preference-related study strategies to try Improving memory
M, 10/8	Reading Drill 10 Skimming 5 Mnemonic techniques Inspiration concept mapping software, Einstein Memory Trainer software OR Managing stress and test anxiety, part 1	Assignment 7 (self- assessment halfway) due Wed., 10/10
W, 10/10	Assignment 7 is due (self-assessment halfway) *MEET AT FONDREN LIBRARY CIRCULATION DESK* Library tour
M, 10/15	NO CLASSES – Fall Break	Assignment 8 (study plan) due Wed., 10/17
W, 10/17	Assignment 8 is due (study plan) Skimming 6 Pre-registration planning Einstein Memory Trainer software OR Managing stress and test anxiety, part 2
M, 10/22	Skimming 7 Improving concentration Introduction to Reading for Understanding cards to build comprehension and critical thinking NOTE: Beginning today, your instructor will hold a brief in-class conference with each student. During others’ conferences, you can complete Einstein Memory Trainer, work independently on RFU cards, or work on your learning strategies portfolio.	Assignment 9 (reflection paper) due Wed., 10/24

Day/date	In class	For our next class
W, 10/24	Assignment 9 is due (reflection paper) Skimming 8 Conferences/ RFU cards/ work on learning portfolio
M, 10/29	Conferences/ work on learning strategies portfolio
W, 10/31	Conferences/ work on learning strategies portfolio	Assignment 10 (learning strategies portfolio) due Mon., 11/5
M, 11/5	L.A.S.S.I. post-test (REQUIRED to pass) Last day for conferences/ work on learning strategies portfolio Assignment 10 is due at the end of class today (learning strategies portfolio, organized in a binder)
W, 11/7	Final exam preparation
M, 11/12	Post-test results and personal gains Review and revise letter to yourself Evaluate this course
	GOOD LUCK ON FINAL EXAMS!