Burt Dicht, Director
IEEE University Programs b.dicht@ieee.org

Purpose:
• The ALW is intended as a "selfcontained" kit to enable IEEE student branches to organize and conduct programs and workshops around student learning and academic success
• With content focused on specific student learning needs, the ALW is designed to assist students in:
− Becoming more efficient and effective learners
− Addressing academic challenges
− Positioning them for successful academic and professional careers

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This kit is designed to set you on the path to success by providing a
“step-by-step” guide for organizing and conducting a workshop
The kit is presented in “stand-alone” sections that will enable you to develop the key planning steps, allocate tasks, develop your timeline, and to conduct your workshop
Supplemental materials include the content modules and Word and Excel documents to be used in both planning and conducting the workshop

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We just hosted an ALW
Session at our university
!
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The module topics came directly from academic needs identified in a student survey
The module content was developed with input from students, faculty, industry practitioners and the IEEE professional staff
And the most important aspect . . . They are designed to be delivered by students!

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Your Unit:
New program ideas to offer students
Furthers your unit’s objective of supporting the academic betterment of fellow students
Reinforces your unit as a professional resource for students
Engages new students in your activities
Volunteers gain experience as subject matter expert presenters

For Students:
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Gain access to resources that address academic challenges
Become more efficient and effective learners
Learn skills to help them achieve academic success

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Currently there are eight modules in the library :
− Time Management
− Managing Stress
− Developing Effective Study Habits
− The Engineer Communicator (Communication 101)
− Preparing for Exams
− Dealing with a Difficult Professor
− Effective Note Taking
− Effective Presentations
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Additional modules will be added as the program expands

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Each Module contains:
− PowerPoint (With speaker script and instructions in the notes section)
− A Module Worksheet (With time and slide beak-downs as well as handout lists)
− A Session Evaluation Form
− Session Exercises and Handouts (Specific to each module)
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The PowerPoint slide deck is designed to be a starting point:
− Speakers can use as is, or adapt it to their own knowledge and experiences . . . You can use your own voice!
− There are places in the deck to include links and information that is specific to the speaker’s institution

Section Topic Slides Additional
Materials
2
3
-
1
4
Introduction
Making the Decision
Goals & Objectives
The Organizing Committee
The Timeline
1-9
10-13
14-16
17-21
22-26
Organizing
Committee Template
Timeline Template
5 Developing a Budget 27-32 Sample Expense
Budget Template
8
9
6
7
Developing the Program
Speakers and Presenters
Selecting the Venue
Marketing and Promotion
33-35
36-38
39-41
42-46 Promotion Template

Section
13
14
15
16
10
11
12
Topic Slides
Registration 47-49
Fundraising and Sponsorship 50-54
Food and Beverage 55-57
The Day of the Event
Recognition
Assessment
Post Workshop
58-60
61-59
60-64
65-68
Additional
Materials

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Your IEEE student branch or IEEE-HKN chapter is looking for new activities and has decided to explore offering an
Advanced Learning Workshop on campus
Before making a decision you should ask these questions:
– Is there a need for this type of workshop?
– Do students have access to other learning and academic resources on campus?
– Where are the gaps? What learning resources are students looking for that are not currently available?

Decision to hold event, Planning
Team Identified,
Target Dates
Identified, Begin
Program
Development ,
Explore Venues
Finalize Date, Finalize
Program Topics,
Recruit Additional
Planning Members as
Needed, Confirm
Venue
Confirm speakers,
Obtain Bios, A/V
Requirements, Handout
Requirements
Promotion and
Marketing
(repeated 1 week prior)
1 Day
Final Check on
Materials, Room
Set-up, A/V.
Signage and
Registration
Conduct
Event/Activity
- 5 months - 4 months - 3 months 2 months -1 month
12
Recruit
Speakers,
Develop Budget
Develop Marketing
Materials (website, brochures, blast emails, posters, etc.),
Registration system
- 1 Week
Confirm with speakers, assemble all necessary session and registration materials and catering confirmation
Post Event (+30
Days)
Event Metrics and Assessment,
Financial Report,
Thank You’s
This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. It is meant to give you a feeling of how the designs looks including text.

Name
Organization
Date
Email

Goal: To use written and oral communications skills to further academic and professional success

“As an engineer, my job is just to develop the best technical solution. So why do I need communications skills? “

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Student communication requirements have applications in the workplace
And the three typical activities required include:
School
Reports
Presentations
Papers
Workplace
Project Reports, Proposals
Design Reviews, Customer
Briefings, Status Updates
Peer Reviewed Papers

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Surveys show that most people fear death less than speaking in front of other people
Fear of public speaking even has a name, glossophobia; about 75% of people suffer from it

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A presentation might involve doing an oral report on your written report, reporting on the status of a project or design, or even involve persuading an audience to align to your viewpoint
Making an effective presentation involves two important communications skills:
– Public speaking
– Being able to visually present information

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Have thoughts in order before talking
– Plan, Plan, Plan and Practice
Focus on the audience
– Don’t read the slides
Don’t try to memorize the slides, you want to be natural
If you do not know the answer – say so
Don’t try to impress audience with technical terms
Repeat when necessary
When done with a point, stop talking
Time management – know your time limit
– Typically 1 slide per minute

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Take a technical writing class
Take a public speaking class
Take a creative writing class
Read (a variety of books and newspapers)
Volunteer for IEEE-HKN or an IEEE
Student Branch (Many positions require writing skills)

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Effective communications skills are required if you are going to succeed academically and also to prepare you for the requirements of the engineering workplace
The three academic communications requirements are: Reports, Presentations and Papers
Always start with the templates or formats required by the professor
Plan, Practice and Refine when it comes to all of your communications
Continue to explore options to develop and improve your communications skills

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The ALW Team is looking for Student
Branches to pilot the ALW between now and 31 December 2015
Select one (1) module topic to present and file an after-activity report
A webinar will be scheduled to provide assistance for all branches that register
The first ten student branches that register will receive a $50 contribution

http://www.ieee.org/education_careers/education/university_progr ams/student_resources_advanced_learning_workshop.html
or http://bit.ly/1iJR9u9
If you have questions or are interested in hosting an ALW, please send an email to: Advancedlearning@ieee.org
Please include your name, university & contact information