Brush-up Workshop Information
FALL 2008 BRUSH-UP WORKSHOPS
BRUSH-UP Workshops are informal sessions that have evolved out of requests from students for practical assistance in developing skills that increase productivity and effectiveness in college. Workshops are FREE and you can sign up for as many as you’d like. No advance preparation is necessary but you will need to call the person listed to reserve a seat. Although we will try to accommodate latecomers, reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Unless otherwise noted, workshops take place at the Niagara Frontier Center (AppleTree Business Park, 2875 Union Road, Cheektowaga).READING TEXTBOOKS EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY
To sign up - contact Mary Davis (686-7800). All sessions run from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, 1/15, with Jane Cudmore, Assistant to the Dean
Tuesday, 2/24, with Eric Bridges, Multicultural Advisor
Thursday, 3/19, with Jane Cudmore
Tuesday, 4/14, with Eric Bridges
Knowing how to read a textbook effectively will save you hours of wasted time and energy. Textbooks contain a great deal of valuable knowledge and information; knowing how to extract that information requires skill and energy. This workshop will teach you how to develop active skills that will enable you to understand, arrange, and interpret the information you read. Textbook techniques are essential tools for successful college-level reading.
Resources:
BASIC COLLEGE COMPUTER SKILLS
Workshop Facilitators: Program Coordinators, Judi Bassini and Sue Olhoeft
To sign up – contact Kris Clayton (686-7800). All sessions run from 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, 1/6
Tuesday, 2/3
Tuesday, 3/10
Tuesday, 4/28
In a very informal setting, we will introduce you to basic concepts about the computer, a tour of the Windows environment, an introduction to word processing for academic writing, e-mail, the Internet, and basic components of the computer itself. Students are encouraged to bring along any work in progress. Note: Registration is limited to 6 students.
Resources:
WRITING THE RESEARCH PAPER
Workshop Facilitator: Director of Academic Support Services, Nancy Miller
To sign up – contact Mary Davis (686-7800). All sessions run from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 1/27
Tuesday, 2/17
Monday, 3/9
Tuesday, 4/21
Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought of writing your first research paper? This workshop will show you a step-by-step process that you can follow to develop a paper that is effective. Some topics that will be included will be: the purpose of a research paper, developing a research question, where to go for information, developing a thesis statement, organizing your ideas, creating a first draft, revisions and proof-reading, and documenting your sources. Handouts will be provided that will also lead you to additional resources.
Handouts: PowerPoint Presentation:
USING THE EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE ONLINE LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER
Workshop Facilitator: Multicultural Advisor Eric Bridges
To sign up – contact Mary Davis (686-7800). All sessions run from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 1/13
Thursday, 2/26
Tuesday, 3/17
Tuesday, 4/7
In order to be a successful student at Empire State College, one of your first tasks will be to learn how to access learning resources. Empire State College does not have a physical library; however, you can access resources through our Online Library and Learning Resource Center anytime, day or night. At our website, you can locate books, college catalogs, scholarly journals, resource guides by area of study, and some full text publications. Through this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to establish their college login and password, explore various library databases, conduct basic and advanced searches, and locate full-text documents. Please note that the Empire State College Online Library is designed to supplement essential resources available through local college and public libraries. This workshop is limited to 6 students.
RESEARCH @ THE LIBRARY: INTRO TO SEARCHING
Workshop Facilitator: College Librarian, Dana Longley
To sign up - contact Director of Academic Support, Nancy Miller (686-7880). Session runs from .
Monday, 3/2 (6:00 - 8:00 pm)
Friday, 3/6 (12 - 2 pm)
Monday, 6/22 (4 - 6 pm)
This "Research @ the Library" workshop, conducted by one of the college's librarians, will cover basic and advanced research process tips and search techniques necessary for doing successful college-level research assignments. The aim is to arm you with the necessary skills to effectively and efficiently navigate to and search relevant research resources using the college's online library.
RESEARCH @ THE LIBRARY: DOCUMENTING YOUR SOURCES
Workshop Facilitator: College Librarian, Sara Hull
To sign up - contact Director of Academic Support, Nancy Miller (686-7880).
Monday, 3/16 (4 -6 pm)
Tuesday, 5/19 (6 - 8 pm)
This workshop, conducted by one of the college's librarians, will cover how to properly cite your research sources and where to go to get citation formatting information for styles such as APA, MLA, etc.
DEVELOPING YOUR LIBRARY SKILLS
Sessions take place at UB’s Undergraduate Library and Buff State’s Butler Library. The format is similar; therefore, it’s only really necessary to attend one session.
University at Buffalo (UB) Libraries
Website: http://ublib.buffalo.edu/
Location: Lockwood Memorial Library and Capen Library (North Campus)
- E-mail or call Chris Hollister for an individual appointment, and please do so at least two weeks in advance to allow ample time to arrange for a
consultation. When contacting Mr. Hollister, please identify yourself as an Empire State College student.
E-mail: cvh2@buffalo.edu
Phone: 645-2814, ext. 267
- Research consultation appointments with UB librarians are available to Empire State College students. Consultations are tailored to individual research needs, and could include information on how to explore a topic, how to find books, or how to find periodical literature in print or online. Students are encouraged to explore the Empire State College Library and Learning Resources website at http://www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/library.nsf/home.html before contacting Mr. Hollister.
Buff State - Location: Butler Library, Room 209
Call Librarian Chuck Newman (878-6536) for an individual appointment. Mention that you’re an Empire State College student. Call several weeks in advance.
When you are required to write a research paper, what strategies will you use in the library to zero in quickly on the information you need? This session will cover general search strategies and provide information on how to use periodical indexes and book and audiovisual resources. You will also learn how to utilize the most valuable resource – the librarian – to help you find material if you’re not sure where to look. An extra benefit of this session is that you will be able to use the skills at any college or public library.
PREPARING YOUR DEGREE PLAN AND WRITING THE “RATIONALE”
Workshop Facilitator – Maggie Schultz, Director of Academic Review
To sign up – contact Sharon Gugliuzza (686-7800). Also, please call Sharon a few days before the workshop to confirm that you are attending.
Tuesday, 2/17 (12 – 1:30 pm)
Tuesday, 3/10 (5:30 – 7 pm)
Saturday, 3/21 (10:30 – 12 pm) Lunch will be provided for those also attending CBE workshop.
Monday, 4/6 (5:30 – 7 pm)
This workshop will aid students in preparing their degree plan portfolio for submission to the Office of Assessment. Areas such as format of the degree plan, timing of submission, understanding what happens to the portfolio after submission, liberal vs. non-liberal credits, advanced v. introductory credits, and advanced standing credits are some of the topics to be covered. A portion of the workshop will also be devoted to helping students understand the purpose and function of the rationale and areas to cover in the rationale. Students are encouraged to bring a draft of their degree plan and rationale to the workshop. Students should be enrolled in Educational Planning at the time they attend the workshop.
IDENTIFYING COLLEGE-LEVEL PRIOR LEARNING (CBE) AND WRITING THE ESSAY
Workshop Facilitator - Kameylah Hakim, Assessment Specialist
To sign up – contact Sharon Gugliuzza (686-7800). Also, please call Sharon a few days before the workshop to confirm that you are attending.
Thursday, 2/26 (5:30 – 7 pm)
Thursday, 3/5 (12 – 1:30 pm)
Saturday, 3/21 (12:30 – 2 pm) Lunch will be provided for those also attending the Rationale workshop.
Wednesday, 4/22 (5:30 – 7 pm)
This workshop will help you identify potential areas of experiential learning and how to determine college-level learning. You will learn what areas to cover in your essay, the number and level of credits to request, and the steps taken to have your learning evaluated. You are encouraged to bring a draft of your degree plan with you. You should be enrolled in Educational Planning at the time you attend the workshop.
INTRODUCTION TO SMARTHINKING, NOODLEBIB CITATION TOOLS & THE ACADEMIC SUPPORT WEBSITE
Workshop Facilitator – Nancy Miller, Director of Academic Support
To sign up – contact Mary Davis (686-7800). All sessions run from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, 1/29
Thursday, 2/19
Thursday, 3/26
Monday, 4/27
Have you ever started working on an assignment for one of your courses and found that you just didn’t know how to proceed to the next step? Did you ever wish that there were someone to look over your paper before you submitted it to your mentor? Have you found it difficult to locate academic resources that would assist you? This session will show you how you can access a free on-line tutorial service called Smarthinking to assist you with your studies. It will also demonstrate how you can use a citation and note-taking program called NoodleBib to create proper citations for your papers and keep track of your research notes.
SUCCESS STRATEGIES
Workshop Facilitator - Nancy Miller, Director of Academic Support
To sign up – contact Mary Davis (686-7800). All sessions run from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Monday, 2/2
Thursday, 4/16
Many adults returning to college have apprehensions about their ability to succeed. This informal session will give you the chance to meet other students, address your concerns, and develop
strategies to ensure your success. Topics such as time management, study skills, developing a support network, self-directed learning, and working effectively with a mentor will be covered.
GETTING TO KNOW ANGEL
Workshop Facilitator – Program Coordinator, Judi Bassini
To sign up – contact Kris Clayton (686-7800). Session runs from 10 - 11:30 am.
Are you taking a course through CDL, FORUM, or with a mentor requiring access to the ANGEL online course management system? If you are, join us on Saturday,January 31st, to learn the “ins and outs” of working effectively with your courses in ANGEL. You will learn how to: sign in, navigate in the ANGEL environment, participate in a discussion group, submit an assignment, contact technical assistance, and much more. Bring along your student login and password and we will work together to make your ANGEL experience a rewarding one.