Helpful Study App

In this month's TRiO Talk (TRiO's monthly newsletter), a number of educational apps were featured. A fantastic (and FREE) app to help you study material is called Quizlet.

First, you will need to create flashcards for the material you are studying. If you'd rather skip this step, you can search the database of over 21 million flashcard set already created. The database is also organized by subject.

Then, Quizlet offers six different methods to study the material you created. 

• Flashcard - flip through and familiarize yourself with the material
• Learn - you'll be quizzed on the material and it will let you know what you got right or wrong
• Scatter - match words to their definitions
• Speller - a word will be spoken to you and you practice how to spell it correctly
• Test - take a quiz that will automatically be graded (you can choose the type of test you want: multiple choice, true/false, matching, or written)
• Space Race - earn points by typing in words before their definition vanishes from the screen

To see each of these formats in action, click here.

The other great feature of Quizlet is that it is accessible on your Smart phone as well as your desktop. Now you can study while eating lunch, on a work break, waiting for the bus, or at the doctor's office. 

How to Communicate and Problem Solve with your Instructor

1. Identify the Issue—Think through the issue. Focus on specifics and remove the emotions. Consider the instructor’s point of view. Do assume that he/she wants you to do well. Don’t assume he/she doesn’t like you. Then, write out your issue.

2. Make an Appointment—Schedule a time when both of you can sit and talk. Trying to catch an instructor after class or in the hallway means they will not have time to really listen to your concerns or offer many solutions.

3. Be Assertive NOT Aggressive—Emphasize the importance of the issue. Refer to your written issue. Try to keep emotions out. Be careful with the words you use. Be polite. Stay calm. If you find yourself getting angry, try saying, “Excuse me, I don’t mean to sound angry, it is just that this class means a lot to me and I want to do well.”

4. Adopt a Problem Solving/Cooperative Attitude—Let the instructor know that you want to work with them to do better. Ask what help is available or where you can go to find out more information. Also, let the instructor know what he/she does that you find helpful.

5. Listen—Be sure to really listen to what they are saying. If they offer a solution or suggestion, repeat it back to make sure you understand.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Mark J. Felsheim, Ph.D., 2004 http://www.gpslifeplan.org/generic/pdf/how-to-communicate-with-professor.pdf

The Importance of Checking Your Student Email

Have you ever been in a similar situation?

 

Scenario 1
Kelly attends her chemistry class on the first day of the quarter. In the first few minutes of class, the instructor tells the class that there will be a quiz on the readings that were assigned. Kelly is confused. She asks herself, “Isn’t this the first day of class? How could there have already been readings assigned?” She looks around the room and identifies others who look as confused as she is, but notices some students are actually prepared for the quiz. After a disappointing performance on this "surprise" quiz, she asks one of her classmates how they knew there was going to be a quiz. The student replies, “The professor emailed us a week before school started to let us know.” Kelly says, “I didn’t get an email. That’s not fair.” The peer replies, “He emailed us at our LWIT student account. Don’t you check that email?” Kelly replies, “I don’t check that account. I already have too many email accounts.”

Scenario 2
Bob receives his spring quarter grade for English. He’s devastated that his grade turned out to be much lower than expected. He racks his mind about what he could have done wrong on the final paper. Bob emails his instructor to inquire about his grade. Unfortunately, the instructor is not available until the summer quarter begins. Bob thinks this is so unfair, especially since this grade has now affected his financial aid! The summer quarter begins, and Bob is waiting at his English instructor’s office. He inquires about the grade from last quarter. The instructor replies, “Didn’t you check your email? I sent you a note inquiring about the third paper. For some reason, I didn’t have a grade noted.” Bob says, “I didn’t get an email from you.” The instructor replies, “I sent it to your student email since that’s the address I had on file.”

Summary
What these two scenarios demonstrate is the importance of checking your student email often. Every student who attends Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) is provided with an LWIT email account. It is very important to be sure that you are checking this account frequently. Instructors are allowed to assign homework prior to the start of classes. In addition, instructors are only given your LWIT email account so this is where they will send notifications to you. If you don’t check your student email, it is not the instructor’s fault. That is your responsibility.

Take the time to ensure that your student email account is active by visiting the student email page. Keep in mind that you can forward this email to your personal account. This will ensure that you don’t miss any important communications from your instructors or other offices at LWIT.

English: Reviewing and Improving Your Papers

Click on the images here to see a tool you can use to review and improve your writing. Be sure to use the resources listed below as well and feel free to come by the Learning Lab (hours to the right).

Your Instructor!

Your number one resource is your instructor. Meeting with your instructor during office hours will allow for the opportunity to learn the instructor’s preferences. It also communicates that your are serious about your class work and creates a stronger connection with the instructor.

Writing Center in the ASC

Mr. Lake works with students in the Academic Skills Center during scheduled times. He is full-time English faculty and cares immensely about student success. He understands the writing process and does an excellent job of determining how to best help you progress as a writer.

Purdue OWL

The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is available 24/7 at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/.

A Writer’s Reference

If you had to purchase A Writer’s Reference for class, use it! It is a great resource when you have grammar and formatting questions.

Peer Editors

Seek out classmates who understand the assignment and ask to exchange papers for revising and editing. Peer editors tend to focus on the issues that have been addressed in class and reinforce prior learning. In addition, peer editing gives you an opportunity to edit someone else’s work, which enhances self-editing skills as well.