"On Course" Principles

This past Saturday, I attended the Regional CATESOL Conference at Grossmont College. The invited keynote speaker, Dr. Jonathan Brennan, spoke about how well-designed learning strategies + empowered learners = success!

He pointed out that there are four learning styles: thinking, feeling, doing, and innovating, but teachers tend to teach only according to their preferred learning style. Plus, 75% of students do not respond well to lectures, and yet lecturing continues to be the predominant teaching style. There is the crystal need to have the mindset that we teach students, not a subject matter. We need to use active learning strategies such as jigsaw reading in groups.

However, lack of academic preparation is only one factor for students' failure. Many other non-academic factors exist, according to Dr. Brennan. He further shared what empowered, successful students do. They--

1. accept self-responsibility
2. discover goals, both short-term and long-term
3. manage themselves
4. build interdependence
5. do something different to make a change
6. adopt a life-long learning attitude
7. develop their E. Q.
8. fundamentally believe in themselves.

These are the eight principles of student success taught in the popular On Course student success workshop series created by Dr. Skip Downing and facilitated by Dr. Jonathan Brennan.

I first heard about On Course at a Basic Skills Bootcamp at Chaffey College in May. The Basic Skills Coordinator from Santa Ana College and others raved about the On Course program and its many documented benefits on their campuses. It seems a pity that Palomar has yet to follow the excellent examples of other schools.

To learn more about the On Course principles, click here. There are many useful resources on the web page, especially if you click on the "Student Success Strategies" section.