335-2 Learning Skills for Adults

3 Hours Electives
Instructor: Dr. H. Ed Florey
727 Canyon Circle North
Tuscaloosa, AL  35406
205.758.0118
eflorey@gulftel.com

*Contract must be completed within 6 months.

Important Contract Policies

Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to gain an understanding of basic learning principles and strategies and to develop personal methods to use them that are productive and unique to the learner.

Learning Objectives
  1. To assess my present study skills and identify learning strategies and styles to overcome unproductive approaches.
  2. To gain knowledge of motivational and goal-setting techniques for study.
  3. To identify procrastination patterns and develop appropriate time management strategies.
  4. To gain knowledge and become efficient in the following basic organizational skills for academic studying and learning:

      a) Listening and Note-taking
      b) Textbook Reading
      c) Memory and Concentration
      d) Test-taking Skills
      e) Organizing for Writing
  5. To find out the implications of developing learning strategies from Right/Left Brain Theory.

    *IMPORTANT: The assignments included in this contract are designed to be completed in steps with time between each for the student to reflect on the knowledge, insights, and awareness gained. Accordingly, each student enrolled will be expected to follow the time schedule for completing assignments. The entire contract must be completed no later than 6 months after enrollment.
Methodology
  1. Complete the "Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes" and the "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator."
  2. Complete the assigned readings and work sheets in the required text.
  3. Read a minimum of 3 books of your choice from the book list supplied by the Contract Director or find on your own to read, with Contract Director approval and write a reaction paper to each.
  4. Read from the provided list in the area of Right/Left Brain theory as it pertains to learning.
  5. Write some short-term goals and affirmations for each of the following basic organizational skills:

      a) Time Management
      b) Listening
      c) Note-taking
      d) Textbook Reading
      e) Memory
      f) Concentration
      g) Test-Taking Skills
      h) Writing

  6. Develop study strategies that are unique to your learning style, the subject areas/courses you are taking and/or plan to take, and your particular life situation. *Information on how to complete the 2 personality inventories will be contained in the packet provided by the Contract Director.
Resources
  1. Required book: Florey, Henry E. Study Orientation Skills, 1987. May be purchased directly from the Contract Director.
  2. Brown-Holtzman, "Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes," Form G, The Psychological Corp. 1965.
  3. Briggs, Katharine C. and Myers, Isabel B. "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator." Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologist Press, Inc. 1977.
  4. List of information sources and books for study skills specialists, provided by the Contract Director upon enrollment.
  5. The Contract Director

    *The textbook will be sent with the packet of information and handouts.
Evaluation

Mail in the following sequence:
  1. Submit a paper (not less than 2 double-spaced typed pgs.) describing your learning styles and an assessment of your current study skills.
  2. Xerox copies of certain assigned worksheets from handouts and the text (due will be found on the instructional sheet in your packet).
  3. Reaction papers (not less than 2 double-spaced typed pgs.) to books read on list lists from the packet or books read with the approval of the Contract Director, minimum of 3.
  4. Your written personal goal and affirmations for each of the study skills areas:

      a) Time Management
      b) Listening
      c) Note-taking
      d) Textbook Reading
      e) Memory & Concentration
      f) Test-Taking Skills
      g) Organizing for Writing.
  5. A written copy (not less than 2 double-spaced typed pgs.) of the study strategies that you have learned to be unique for your learning style, your life situation, and many of the courses you are taking and/or plan to take.