ORACLE

SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY

EDU 1110: ORACLE

OPTIMUM READING, ATTENTION, COMPREHENSION, LEARNING EFFICIENCY

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

EDU 1110, ORACLE, is a one-semester, one-credit course which counts as a university free elective. Designed to improve reading and learning efficiency, ORACLE is directed to first-year through graduate students who want to acquire advanced reading and learning techniques. Students will apply a variety of reading and learning techniques to the demands of their other courses, presenting an opportunity for academic success.

Diagnostic pre- and post-tests determine starting skill levels and measure progress during the semester. Self-assessment of learning styles and current study habits allows each student to set individual objectives and to build on individual strengths, developing a personalized study system for a lifetime of successful learning. Weekly out-of-class assignments enable students to address ongoing academic challenges by applying ORACLE strategies to their own courses. Increased rate and comprehension, in combination with improved study strategies, can reduce needed study time and produce better learning with higher grades. This course can help any student to become a more effective, efficient reader and learner. Evaluation is based on attendance and completion of assignments.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Students will work to:

improve TIME MANAGEMENT and personal ORGANIZATION
determing LEARNING STYLES in order to identify the most effective learning strategies
use a textbook STUDY-READING strategy to build CONCENTRATION, COMPREHENSION, and RETENTION
take and use effective lecture and reading NOTES
enhance TEST PREPARATION and TEST TAKING proficiency
determine MEMORY STYLE and use MNEMONIC TECHNIQUES to readily retain and retrieve information
expand VOCABULARY to improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking
use FLEXIBLE READING RATES, including skimming and scanning, suited to different materials and purposes
improve overall READING RATE

COURSE POLICIES:

The course will be graded pass/fail based on both attendance and assignments.

Students may miss no more than three classes in an MWF section and no more than two classes in an MW or TTh section. In extraordinary circumstances, the instructor may arrange with a student to make up absences through additional lab work.

In order to pass, students must also turn in 9 of the 11 required out-of-class assignments. Assignments will be accepted until noon on the Friday of the week in which they are assigned, except for Week 4's assignment, which must be completed by the second meeting of that week.

COURSE ACTIVITIES:

GROUP activities will occupy about two thirds of our class time. These include lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and timed reading exercises to build comprehension and rate.

INDIVIDUAL work, assigned on the basis of pre-tests and self-assessment, will take up the remaining class time. Under close supervision, students will use a variety of computer software, print materials, and audio and video tape programs. Over the first few weeks, students will learn each type of software; once introduced to these materials, students may select those that are most useful for them, to focus on the skills and materials that meet their individual needs. For example, one student many work with software to build vocabulary, another may use programs on reading to build rate and comprehension skills, while a third concentrates on materials to improve study skills such as note taking and test taking. Students may also arrange additional independent work with these materials before or after class.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

The required text, Achieving Personal and Academic Success, is available at the SMU Bookstore.

SAMPLE CALENDAR

Day 1	Introduction to A-LEC facilities Introduction to ORACLE computer lab Introduction to SMU website, concentrating on the A-LEC page
Week 2	Introduction to the ORACLE course Overview of the textbook, Achieving Personal and Academic Success Introduction to class members LASSI (Learning and Study Strategies Inventory) pre-test Self-assessment of learning style (chapter 3) Interpretation of test results Visual Vocabulary lesson #1 (each video lesson presents ten words) HW: Complete semester course plan and send an e-mail to your ORACLE instructor in which you identify your concerns about each of your courses.
Week 3	Time management, using semester course plan Continue time management with calendar and schedule (chapter 6) Setting academic and personal goals (chapter 2) Vocabulary #2 Reading drill 1 (a timed reading exercise to build comprehension and rate) HW: Complete daily time management plans for 3 class days.
Week 4	Study reading systems (chapter 4) theory and using student text for practice Note taking with the Cornell system (chapter 5) Note taking with concept mapping Vocabulary #3 Reading drills 2 & 3 HW: Apply Cornell note taking system to one lecture class and complete the recall column; bring your notes to the second ORACLE class this week (may not be turned in on Friday for credit).
Week 5	Note taking systems, cont. Test preparation techniques, specific concentration on multiple choice tests (chapter 7) Reducing test anxiety Vocabulary #4 Reading drills 4 & 5 HW: Create a specific test preparation plan for one upcoming exam.
Week 6	Reducing test anxiety, cont. Managing stress (chapter 11) Introduction to Ultimate Speed Readersoftware Introduction to Ultimate Word Attacksoftware Vocabulary #5 Reading drill 6 & 7 HW: Complete one-month self evaluation.
Week 7	Taking essay exams Flexible reading rates Introduction to Skimming and Scanning - Drill 1 (timed practice in selective rapid reading) Vocabulary #6 Reading drills 8 & 9 HW: Create a concept map from a chapter you're reading in another course.
Week 8	Refocus Notetaking and Concept mapping skills Concentration and memory, mneumonic techniques (chapter 8) Vocabulary #7 Reading drill 10 Skimming and Scanning 2 & 3 HW: Complete mid-semester self-evaluation.
Week 9	Orientation and training on the library's PONI system (One class meeting missed this week due to Fall Break) HW: Complete library exercise.
Week 10	Review of SQ4R reading system Best Selling Chapters (to apply improved rate to longer readings) Reading for Understanding cards (to improve inferential comprehension) Vocabulary #8 Skimming and Scanning 4 & 5 HW: Complete an evaluation of the course which is posing the most problems for you this semester. Analyze the problems. Devise a study plan which addresses these issues.
Week 11	Individual choices of: Selected videotapes and audiotapes from LEC library Selected print resources from A-LEC library Plan continuing strategies HW: Complete at least three reviews, including one video, one audio, and one print material, for inclusion in A-LEC files.
Week 12	Post testing (Nelson-Denny Reading Test and LASSI) Finals preparation Evaluate post-tests Complete course evaluation HW: Complete Finals Prep. package.

ORACLE will not meet during the last three weeks of the semester, but students are encouraged to use the lab and meet individually with instructors. There is no final exam.

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