|
What
is a learning instructor?
Learning instructors are education specialists who have practical and theoretical
training in ways of learning and teaching. Unlike a tutor, they may not be
experts in your discipline, but they can help you develop reading, writing,
and study strategies appropriate for particular assignments, courses, or fields
of study. Instruction is offered individually or in groups through a variety
of interactive workshops.
Who
uses Learning Resources?
All undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at Penn are eligible
for the free, confidential services provided through Learning Resources. Although
some students are referred to our office by advisor, counselors, or professors
for assistance with their academic performance, most students consult our services
of their own accord. In fact, our records indicate that majority of students
who use Learning Resources are excelling academically.
What
will happen during my first meeting with a learning instructor?
Do I have to bring anything with me?
During your first meeting, your learning instructor will guide you through
a self-evaluation of your reading, writing, and studying strategies. The purpose
of this self-evaluation is to highlight your strengths as a student and to
identify areas where you would like to improve. For this initial meeting, it
is helpful to bring (1) your course syllabi so that you and your learning instructor
can get a big picture of the course and talk about specific assignments, and
(2) a planner or calendar to discuss how you are managing your time.
Do
I have to know exactly what my difficulty is before I meet with
a learning instructor?
If you are concerned about or dissatisfied with your studying, but are unable
to specify exactly where your trouble lies, don't worry! The staff at Learning
Resources is trained to help students assess their strategies and identify
areas that need improvement. Very often, students who use our services are
surprised to discover that what appears to be a difficulty with writing papers
is really a time management issue. Or perhaps a poor performance on an exam
can be attributed to a lack of active study strategies. Together, you and your
learning instructor will discuss your current strategies and decide which aspects
of studying you would like to enhance.
How
often can I meet with a learning instructor?
Due to the high demand for our services, we ask that you limit
your scheduled appointments with a learning instructor to once
a week. During particularly
intense periods of the semester, and with the permission of the Learning Resources
staff, you may supplement your weekly meeting with one ½ walk-in appointment.
Will
my professors, advisors, or family be notified that I'm meeting
with a learning instructor?
The services provided at Learning Resources are confidential. Therefore, without
your written consent, the staff does not have permission to discuss your use
of our services with anyone in the University community or your family.
Is
it better to drop in during walk-ins or should I schedule an
appointment?
The same services are offered during walk-in hours or scheduled appointments
so it is up to you to decide which type of meeting best suits your needs. Walk-ins
are first-come-first-served and last for ½ hour. Scheduled appointments
are 50 minutes and can be arranged in advance. We recommend scheduling an appointment
if you are: (1) meeting with a learning instructor for the first time; (2)
meeting regularly with the same instructor; or (3) discussing a paper that
is longer than five, double spaced pages.
Can
I meet with the same learning instructor throughout the semester/year?
If you find that you establish a rapport with a certain learning instructor,
we encourage you to meet with that person consistently throughout the semester/year.
If, however, you enjoy working with a variety of learning instructors, feel
free to meet with anyone whose schedule matches your own.
If
I bring in a paper, will someone check my grammar?
We believe that it is important for students to be actively engaged in reading
and revising their own papers; therefore, we will not edit your paper for grammatical
mistakes. We will, however, read through the text with you to discuss how well
you've answered the assignment, the structure of your ideas, your use of supporting
evidence, etc. If grammatical concerns arise during the course of this conversation,
the learning instructor will try to explain the appropriate rule(s) so that
you can avoid similar mistakes in future writing assignments.
Does
Learning Resources offer speed reading courses?
Contrary to popular belief, research indicates that fast readers are not always
proficient readers. Although it is possible to improve the speed at which you
read, in so doing you may be jeopardizing your reading comprehension. If you
are concerned about your rate of reading, a learning instructor can suggest
reading strategies that will help you read efficiently, retain information,
and relate your knowledge to course lectures, discussions, and assignments.
Can
I work with a learning instructor to help me with a take-home
exam?
When professors assign take-home exams, they assume that students will work
independently and without the aid of academic support services such as learning
instruction, tutoring, or study groups. Consequently, we will not help you
complete a take-home exam unless your professor specifies that students are
allowed to use academic support services during the exam process.
What
if I work during the day and can't come in during office hours?
Learning instructors are available for appointments Monday through Friday,
from 9-5pm. During the academic year, however, some learning instructors are
available to meet with students after regular office hours. If you are unable
to schedule an appointment during office hours, please leave a message with
the receptionist indicating what times you are available and s/he will forward
this message to the appropriate learning instructor(s).
Are
you open during the summer?
To accommodate students who are taking courses, conducting research, or participating
in other academic endeavors during the summer, our office remains open Monday
through Friday, from 9-5pm throughout the entire summer. Walk-in hours are
not available, but students may schedule appointments with a learning instructor
during regular office hours.
back to top
|
