You may have heard of the workshops. You may have heard of classes that use it. What is this On Course? On Course is both a book for students to use in a study skills course and a framework for teaching. It provides students with a guide for college success. It provides instructors with a guide for a student-centered classroom. On Course blends best practices for both academic spaces.
For students, On Course provides tools for how to be a successful student. While it provides useful study skills and a plethora of tools for academic success, it also provides a road map for soft skills. As educators, we know that it takes more than a high ACT score to be successful in college. Aptitude only goes so far. What On Course teaches students are the eight choices of successful college students: personal responsibility, self-motivation, self-management, interdependence, self-awareness, lifelong learning, emotional intelligence, and belief in the self. What is important to note is that it is not key TRAITS or CHARACTERISTICS, On Course focuses on CHOICES. This is more empowering for students to know that success is a choice, not a trait.
For instructors, On Course provides tools for creating and maintaining a learner-centered classroom. From the first day of class to the final exam, On Course has resources for various activities across multiple content areas. Instructor created and designed, each activity or resource comes with details on how to use it and adapt it to other content areas. You may have developed classroom norms with students or grouped students to do a Jig-Saw activity. This is an On Course way of thinking.
Over the course of the semester, we will be providing On Course tips and tricks to use in your classroom. This approach to teaching and learning is highly successful and highly motivating for students.
A former Study Skills student gave the following testimonial, “All students should have to read On Course!”
I believe instructors can benefit from it, too!