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Student Success, Retention & Engagement | On Course

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Creator Language and Star Wars

I just got done facilitating a class that addressed Creator vs. Victim language. In Chapter 2, On Course offers a list of language categories that Victims use, with examples; then, it shows Creator language for the same situation. When I get to the heading, “Victims ‘Try,'” I invite two famous individuals to elucidate via the technology of TV. About 1/3 of the way through “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” Yoda is training Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Jedi. Luke is balancing on one hand with a stack of rocks and Yoda balanced on his feet. Luke is distracted by, what appears to be, the final sinking of his starship. Yoda encourages Luke to use the Force to retrieve his ship. When Luke says “OK, I’ll ‘try’,” Yoda utters some of my favorite lines: “No! Try, not. Do… or do not! There is no ‘try’!” I rewind and replay that specific phrase two more times, then allow the segment to play out until Luke, having seen Yoda retrieve the starship, says, “I can’t believe it!” To which Yoda replies, “That is why you fail!” (Which conveniently ties into a class discussion, earlier in the period, when we touched on self-limiting beliefs.) The video sequence takes about 6 minutes including the rewinds. Response from the students made the rental well worth the money. This activity is definitely a keeper for me. [Editor’s Note: This scene is now available HERE.]

Steve Wilkins, Counselor, Student Support Services, Eastern Kentucky University, KY

Institutional Studies

Read compelling data from twenty seven colleges and universities using the On Course textbook.

 

These studies demonstrate increases in retention, success and persistence rates as high as 27%.

Book a Workshop!

We have 12 engaging campus workshops and keynote offerings addressing a wide range of student success topics.

 

Contact us for more information!

On Campus Workshops

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Workshop Testimonials

You have created a workshop that, in my 25 years of professional development, is by far the best experience I’ve ever had.
Jennifer Meehl
Academic Advisor
Landmark College, VT
I am going back to campus more empowered and energized.
Tyrone Davidson
Director, Undergraduate Advising
Missouri U of Science & Technology, MO
I have attended a lot of workshops and conferences–On Course is by far the best!
Debbie Alford,
Director, Title III and Success Center
Southwestern Illinois College, IL
I arrived as a skeptic, but by the end of the first day I was converted. These strategies are practical and timely. I am looking forward to implementing them in my courses.
Rodney R. Brooks
Faculty, Accounting
Glendale Community College, AZ
I told my Dean that if I took every workshop and conference I had ever attended and rolled them into one, it would not equal what I learned and gained from your workshop.
Jan Trollinger
Faculty, English
Paine College, GA
The On Course Workshop was the most productive learning experience I have had in years.
Kelli Rush
Faculty, Business
Campbellsville University, KY
Our college needs to offer this workshop for all faculty, full and part-time.
John McGill
Associate Dean, Biology
York Technical College, SC
I’m a better instructor because of On Course.
Mary Lou Ng
Faculty, Mathematics
N. Alberta Institute of Tech., Alberta, CN
I am so impressed with how well thought out and integrated every aspect of the workshop is!
Kendal Friedman
Director, Student Success
Rider University, NJ
This workshop should be required for all faculty, staff, and administrators.
Lamar McWaine
Student Life Coordinator
San Jacinto College, TX

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