Program Investigation
Carlynn Moore
Barbara Wylie
Darron Woodward
Program Overview
Wallace State Community College is located in Hanceville, Alabama. Wallace State
Community College was established in 1966. WSCC is one of Alabama Community College
System largest college. The school serves more than 7,000 students each semester. WSCC offers
a variety of degrees/certifications. The following programs are listed below;
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Agricultural Production/ Horticulture
Art/Visual Communication
Automotive Manufacturing Technology
Aviation/Flight Technology (Commercial Airplane/Helicopter Training)
Business Program ( Business Administration, Office Administration)
Child Development
Clinical Laboratory Technician
Computer Science
Cosmetology
Culinary Arts
Diesel Mechanics
Drafting and Design Technology
Emergency Medical Services
Heating and Air
Machine Too Technology
Medical Assistant
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Paralegal
Pharmacy Technology
Physical Therapy Assistant
Respiratory Therapy
Sports Medicine
Welding
Although WSCC offers dual enrollment for high school students, the majority of the learners are
adults. WSCC also offers workshops/courses to assist instructors in determining a student’s
learning style. The workshops/courses ensure that instructors incorporate best instructional
practices for students. The main objective is for the instructor to learn how to identify a
student’s learning style, create instructional activities that reach a variety of learning styles and
help students to identify various study strategies to employ in order to make the information
received in the classroom applicable to their learning style. WSCC also offers the Evolve Reach
Admission Assessment which not only measures academic skills, but also includes 14 items
regarding learning styles and 25 items dealing with personality styles. All applicants receive a
printout of study tips based upon their learning style and personality style. The target goals that
are addressed within this program are as follows:
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Apply an instructional design procedure that will lead to successful learning objective
sequencing and design to fit all learning styles
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Arm students with information to help them to be successful learners at the collegiate
level
Learners:
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The learners identified in this program are college educators as well as the adult learners
with whom they make contact.
Learning Objectives:
As stated above in the program overview, the objective of Wallace State Community College’s
learning styles workshops/courses is as follows:
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Apply an instructional design procedure that will lead to successful learning objective
sequencing and design to fit all learning styles
Learning Context:
The presentation for the learning styles workshop/course is delivered through the medium of
PowerPoint and through group participation. Students complete the admissions assessment
online and a printout of study tips is emailed to the student’s chosen email address upon
completion of the assessment.
Learning Processes:
The duration of the study skills workshop/course is 2 hours and the duration of the entire
assessment, including the learning style and personality profile assessment is 4 hours. In a
teacher is participating in the workshop/course, the information is garnered through group
collaboration and through a presentation. The students gather the information about their
learning style and personality profile individually; although, they can choose to share the
information should they desire.
Educators:
The workshop/course about learning styles is presented by other faculty who have received the
training. (train the trainer style of workshop). It is believed that through this way of teaching
and learning, a community type of environment will grow and the participants will discover
coworkers with whom to network and discuss strategies to assist students.
Main Features of the Program:
The main features of the program that make this program unique is that it is taught by previous
members of the courses. This makes the course/workshop seem much less daunting and much
more relevant to the faculty’s lives. For the students, the main feature of the program is that
students have the opportunity to complete a learning style assessment upon admission and study
tips and individually generated for each student.
Program Overview
Ivy Tech Community College is the largest statewide community college system in the United
States. With over 23 main campuses and more than 130,000 students statewide, it is also one of
the largest institutions of higher education in the state of Indiana. The student body is quite
diverse and encapsulates traditional “right out of high school students”, non-traditional students,
part-time students, full-time students, degree seeking students and students seeking workforce
certifications or basic transfer credit.
All students, upon acceptance are required to participate in an online new student orientation. If
online delivery is not preferable, students may opt for an on campus session delivered by
academic advisors from the various schools. During the new student orientation, students are
required to take the V-A-R-K learning profile and the READI assessment for online
learning. The V-A-R-K learning profile located at www.vark-learn.com is a short assessment
that allows students to determine what learning style with which they most identify. This site
also gives great study sheets that outline strategies for each learning style to help students
improve how they are studying material based upon their preferred learning style. The READI
assessment for online learning is a quick assessment that determines if a student is a good
candidate for online learning. It gives an overview of how online classes are different than faceto-face courses as well as gives a typing speed and accuracy test to inform the learner of
potential pitfalls for enrolling in online courses.
Learners:
The learners identified in this program are prospective college students of varying ages and
educational goals.
Learning Objectives:
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Students will become aware of their personal learning style
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Students will utilize knowledge of their personal learning style to assist in learning
endeavors
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Students will be able to determine if they are a good candidate for online learning
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Students will be able to identify and complete the steps needed for course registration and
making appointments with their identified advisor
Learning Context:
The materials for the orientation are the same for the online session or the face-to-face
session. Participants are engaged through the use of a PowerPoint presentation that walks
students through the steps needed to complete the requirements for their first semester (how to
complete the learning style assessments and why they should complete the learning styles
assessments), how to access the online calendar system for requesting advisor appointments,
what is expected of all students at Ivy Tech their first semester, how to register for courses and
finally, how to access and utilize financial aid at Ivy Tech. This PowerPoint is utilized
statewide, but is customized for each separate campus. A campus created workbook is provided
for students to take notes and to keep information related to their personal learning style.
Learning Process:
The duration for the orientation is 2.5 hours in length. If one chooses to participate in the online
orientation, the duration may be shorter, or longer, depending on the individual and how quickly
he/she can maneuver through the online modules. After the presentation (whether face-to-face or
online), students are required to complete an assessment to gauge how much a student has
learned. A student must pass the assessment with complete accuracy (a score of 100% is
required) in order to have the hold removed from their registration account and be allowed to
register for courses at Ivy Tech Community College.
Educators:
The educators for the face-to-face orientation are campus advisors in the various
schools. Prospective students register for a large-group orientation that varies in size based on
the time of the year. The smallest orientations contain 20 or fewer students. The largest
orientation sessions offered closer to the start of the semester contain anywhere from 40-75
students at a time. For the online orientation, the process is self-directed.
Main Features:
The main features of the orientation program at Ivy Tech that make this program unique is that
all students applying for admission to the college are REQUIRED to complete a learning style
profile. This information is quite useful for all students, but especially for the population of
students that Ivy Tech serves. First-generation students, non-traditional students, and students
who may not be pursuing a degree are at a much higher risk for non-completion.than their
counterparts. By creating an awareness of how students learn and how to make learning more
efficient for the learners, Ivy Tech is attempting to remove barriers to student achievement and
completion. I would suggest capping the number of students able to attend any given session at
30. This would allow for more discussion amongst the participants and more one-on-one
attention. Also, I would suggest recording the learning style profile of the student and posting it
to their permanent record so it was accessible by all instructors on campus. This would be
beneficial information for the instructors when trying to help students overcome barriers and for
encouraging students in their studies.
Wallace State Community College
Ivy Tech Community College
Feature 1
Assisting both students AND
staff/faculty to aid in the learning
process
Enabling students to identify own
learning style
Feature 2
Materials are presented by community
members
Material is presented through visual,
aural and read-write methods
Feature 3
Required of all members...faculty, staff Required of ALL incoming students
and students
Adaptable
Features
The presentation medium is certainly
adaptable.
Students able to opt to take an online
version or face-to-face
Bepko Learning Center
Understanding the best way for each student to learn ensures the best chance for
collegiate or working world success. The three styles of learning are visual, audible,
and kinesthetic. Each style enhances learning in a different way. In fact, IUPUI has a
program to help identify their students ‘learning styles.’
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IUPUI offers several
resources for students to ensure they have the best chance for success.
Some of the services you will find at the Bepko Learning Center Resource Desk are as
follows:
Connecting students with academic mentoring
Offering learning styles assessments and recommendations for future success
Referring students to specific campus components
Providing general information about IUPUI
Offering study skills workshops
Providing private tutoring referrals
(IUPUI, 2002-13, para. 4, Resource Desk)
These different services provide tremendous resources for learners of all ages. “The
central focus of the Office of Academic Mentoring is to provide support services to
academic peer mentoring programs in various courses. It is our mission to recruit,
train, and develop highly qualified student mentors to provide students with assistance
in successfully navigating through the courses. (IUPUI, 2002-13, para. 1, Academic
Mentoring)
The academic mentoring program is truly a link between the student, teacher,
and mentor. The reason this is recommended for students is each person has a voice
and accountability partner. As a student you can ensure that you are understanding,
and deciphering the professor’s message, and as a Professor you can ensure that they
are reaching your students. These aspects are important for enhanced learning.
The learning style assessment is a fantastic service that any student can
use. This is designed to help students recognize what kind of learning process they
have.
This will allow them to prepare better for class, assignments, and
tests. Understanding the type of learner they are will help any student through college
and on in to their work life.
Understanding different campus components and general information about
IUPUI will be critical to each student’s ability to maximize their resources within the
school. While college is exciting it can also be distracting. As students grow through
their education they will all need help and knowledge? Campus resources are there
for each student to use and maximize while they are enrolled. The college has a
vested interest in educating each student about the available tools. Schools are graded
on the success of their students. These two categories are vital to the learning
foundation at IUPUI.
IUPUI offers student resources such as study skill workshops, and tutor
referrals. These are tremendous resources as students begin, continue, and end
college there is a place for each of these tools. At the beginning, students need to
understand the best type of study habits and the best way to study. During college
students often need to refresh some of the skills they have retained. The end of the
college process the study skills workshops, tutoring, and retained skills will all assist
in a student’s ability to work in a career after college, and their ability to prepare for
higher learning.
The three types of learning, as mentioned earlier, are visual, audible, and
kinesthetic. These three learning styles affect every person differently. In fact, one
audible learner my hear things differently than another. During their process of
listening to the material students will take different information down as
important. IUPUI talks about their mission as educators and facilitators. “The
mission of University College is to provide advising and support services for
beginning undergraduate students. University College's staff and faculty assist
students who have not yet decided on a major, who are still learning what a college
education entails, or who have not yet been admitted to the school of their choice.
Students will be transferred as soon as possible to one of the degree-granting schools
or divisions of the university.” (IUPUI, 2002-13, para. 2, Program History)
Visual
• Uses visual objects such as graphs, charts, pictures, and seeing information
• Can read body language well and has a good perception of aesthetics
• Able to memorize and recall various information
• Tends to remember things that are written down
• Learns better in lectures by watching them
Auditory
• Retains information through hearing and speaking
• Often prefers to be told how to do things and then summarizes the main points out
loud to help with memorization
• Notices different aspects of speaking
• Often has talents in music and may concentrate better with soft music playing
in the background
Kinesthetic
• Likes to use the hands-on approach to learn new material
• Is generally good in math and science
• Would rather demonstrate how to do something rather than verbally explain it
• Usually prefers group work more than others
(IUPUI, 2002-13, para. 4-6, Academic Enrichment)
Each learning style has many uses. I am listing the tips found on the website
regarding all three learning styles.
Visual
• Turn notes into pictures, charts, or maps
• Avoid distractions (windows, doorways, etc.)
• Learn the big picture first and then focus on the details
• Make mind and concept maps instead of outlines
• Color code parts of new concepts in your notes
• Use flash cards when trying to study vocabulary
Auditory
• Record lectures and then listen to them
• Repeat material out loud and in your own words
• Discuss materials in your study groups
• Read textbooks aloud
• Listen to wordless background music while studying
Kinesthetic
• Take study breaks often
• Learn new material while doing something active (e.g., read a textbook while on
a treadmill)
• Chew gum while studying
• Work while standing
• Try to take classes with instructors who encourage demonstrations and fieldwork
(IUPUI, 2002-13, para. 7-9, Academic Enrichment)
In conclusion, IUPUI has put together a compressive program to ensure that
students who want assistance know what is available and how to get to their
resources. The Bepko Learning center offers help in goal setting, note taking, stress
management, reading strategy, test taking strategies, study tips, and time management
mentoring. The comprehensive tool kit that every student has to utilize is built to
support and enable success.
The general philosophy of “students helping students,” which acknowledges that a
powerful partnership for student success can be created through the collaborative
efforts of peer mentors and support faculty, has been used to adapt and expand
mentoring activities beyond its origins with supplemental instruction. This approach
recognizes the need to identify high-risk courses, work around the complex schedules
of mentors and students, and engage the cooperation of discipline faculty. Mentors are
students who excel in the educational process, model “good” student characteristics,
and care about the struggles and successes of those who strive to learn. As the
program continues to grow and improve, enhancing the dynamic interaction between
mentors, faculty, and the students they both serve is of paramount concern. (IUPUI,
2002-13, para. 4, Program History)
References
Bepko Learning Center. (2002-13.) Office of Academic Mentoring. Retrieved 10-213,from http://blc.uc.iupui.edu/AcademicEnrichment/StudySkills/LearningStyles/3Le
arningStyles.aspx.
Group Members:
Carlynn Moore: Set up the google doc and instigated group chat amongst members. Researched
and wrote about Wallace State Community College and their program.
Barbara Wylie: Researched and wrote about Ivy Tech Community College and their program.
Responsible for editing paper
Darron Woodward: Researched and wrote about IUPUI and their Bepko Learning
styles program. Added paper to end due to personal error in sending after original post
of blog. Spoke with Professor about and was instructed to update the blog.