LTCY 080
 COLLEGE READING SUCCESS

Western Kentucky University
 

Instructor:  Dr. Pam Petty  

Office:  TPH 363

Office Phone:  270-745-2922 

Home Email:  pam@pampetty.com 

Campus Email:  pamela.petty@wku.edu

Homepage: http://www.pampetty.com 

Tuesday:  10:00 - 11:30 and 1:30 - 5:00 --- Wednesday:  8:30 - 4:30 --- Thursday:  10:00 - 11:30

Electronic Hours:  Evenings 7:00 - 10:00 --- By Appointment in Office

Prerequisite:  None
 

Course Hours:  2 credit hours
 

Course Description: This course teaches the skills and strategies necessary to meet the demands of college-level courses. Instruction will allow practicing how to manage volumes of reading and information processing, understand how to actively read for critical comprehension and critical thinking, apply essential study strategies for note-taking, note revision and test preparation, as well as creating a system for recording, monitoring and planning your coursework. All processes and systems will be taught in the context of college-level course materials.               

 

Rationale: Many students are underprepared to read ("comprehension" implied) at the university level even though they have adequate or even high ACT scores and/or high GPAs from high school.  This course is designed to facilitate students in developing content area reading skills and strategies necessary to be successful in college coursework.  Additionally, students receive instruction and practice in practical applications of study skills, time-management skills, goal setting, test preparation, and organizing to learn.

 

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of LTCY 080, the student will be able to demonstrate:

 

1.  Growth and competency in vocabulary skills and strategies.

2.  Growth and competency in comprehension skills and strategies.

3.  Growth and competency in retention of learned material.

4.  Growth and competency in understanding and manipulating the format of texts. 

5.  Growth and competency in managing the volume of assigned course reading.

6.  Growth and competency in study skills including note-taking, test-taking preparation strategies, and organizing for learning.

 

Instructional Methods: 

Assessment:  Grades will be derived from classroom activities and out-of-class assignments as described below: 

KERA Elements/Context Addresses
Performance Tasks


Required Textbook:
 Reader's Handbook

 

Resource:
http://edtech.tph.wku.edu/~ppetty/collegereading.htm

 

Course Topics:

Attendance and Course Requirements:

Excessive absences will result in failure of the course as the learning structure of this course is "group-based."  Content and interactions that take place in each session cannot be replicated.  Absences are not judged as excused or  unexcused. An absence is marked on any occasion when the student is not present in the classroom for the entire class period.  Late arrivals and/or early departures will be considered an absence.

Students are expected to be prepared for each class meeting (i.e., assigned reading completed, assignments completed, ready for discussion, quizzes, or tests) even when returning after an absence.  In the event of an absence, work may be sent to the graduate student leading your group prior to the next class meeting following the absence.  Assignments presented after this time will not be accepted.

 

A positive,  productive learning environment will be maintained during all class periods.  Students are expected to exhibit respect for this environment as well as for the other students and the instructor.  Any individual who consistently disrupts the learning environment (including, but not limited to, excessive talking, cell phone interruptions, disrespectful attitudes and/or actions) will be asked to leave the classroom until a conference can be scheduled with the instructor to develop a plan for continued enrollment in the class and the individual's behavior can be modified to conform to the learning environment.

A.  All assignments are due on time. Late assignments will be penalized 20% of their possible point value if submitted within two work days of their due date. Assignments turned in beyond that point will receive 50% of their graded point value. 

Students who finish this course successfully must complete the following assignments:

  1. Submission of the College Reading Survey (http://www.pampetty.com/collegereadingsurvey.htm) - 5 points

  2. Submission of the VARK learning styles survey (http://www.vark-learn.com/subscription/default.asp?access=WKU) - 5 points

  3. Pretest and posttest using the Nelson Denny Reading Test or Gates MacGinitie. - 15 points

  4. Learning Journal documenting notes, activities - 20 points

    and examples of application from EACH Tuesday evening session - 20 points

    AND each 45 minute electronic practice session each week.  - 20 points

     

    5.  Discretionary assignments made by Graduate Student - this will allow for customization of assignments based on student need. - 15 points

     

    Students may also have some opportunities to earn extra points. Extra points will be given only for work of "B" quality or better, will be added to a student’s total points, and will be included in the final average.

     

    If you need additional help in some particular area where you are having difficulty, you may be given supplementary assignments to be completed during scheduled e-practice.

    All assignments will be graded for content and mechanics.

    Students are encouraged to conference with the instructor by phone or by email, if the need arises.

    University policy on academic honesty will be strictly observed. 

    The final course grade will be based on the following grading scale: A= 90 -100%   B= 80-89%   C= 70-79%   F= Below 70%
     

Grading Scale:

A:  90-100 pts.

B:  80-89 pts.

C:  70-79 pts.

D:  60-69 pts. 

F:  59 or fewer pts.

Student Disability Services

In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the Student Success Center in Downing University Center.

Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

Plagiarism Policy:
To represent ideas or interpretations taken from another source as one's own is plagiarism.  Plagiarism is a serious offense.  The academic work of students must be their own.  Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used.  To lift content directly from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act.  To present a borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism.

As you begin your first assignments, be sure that you are not crossing the line into plagiarism. It is a serious issue and will not be taken lightly. Please read about Avoiding Plagiarism.

08/28/2006 05:04:48 PM   Hit Counter