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Student Success, Retention & Engagement | On Course

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Life Lessons from Inner Obstacles

One way I help motivate my writing students, have them experience more collateral learning, and allow them to get extra credit points (all at the same time) is the following assignment. I give this assignment selectively to students late in the semester who are in jeopardy of not passing and who really are academically capable but just can’t handle all the obstacles they are facing in their lives (98% of our students).  

The assignment is a 5-6 page essay (a lot longer than traditional essay assignments) exploring the challenges and obstacles THEY PUT IN THEIR OWN WAYS which cause them to get “off course” both in this class and in life.  100% of the students, when given this assignment DO IT and do it well.  Thus, the writing is taken care of (I can justify giving the points) and, most importantly, through this self-reflection and introspection, they truly learn important life lessons. On class evaluations, the students who have been assigned this task reply that this was the most meaningful essay they have ever written. 

I use my judgment and assign this to only those students who are truly willing to complete the class, are motivated enough to want to continue on in the class and in school, and have “gotten it,” but have “gotten it” so late in the semester that they might otherwise never get back on course.

–Barbara Jaffe, Faculty, English (Puente Program), El Camino College, CA

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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Workshops can be held virtually or in person!

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Workshop Testimonials

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
In my 31 years of teaching this was the best and most critically needed of any workshop I have ever attended.
Susan Duncan
Faculty, Humanities
El Camino College, CA
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
My first day back I plunged into using On Course materials and methods with my students, and they LOVED it!! And I LOVED it! Thank you so much on behalf of myself and all of my present and future students!
Stephanie Schwartz
Faculty, Humanities
El Camino College, CA
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 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 has taken a hardened, crusty educator and softened her once again to be committed and energized to become the best person and teacher she can be.
Chris Landrum
Counselor
Mineral Area College, MO
Thank you for making me a better teacher.
Gregory Walker
Faculty, Anatomy and Physiology
El Camino College Compton Center, CA
This was an awesome experience for an educator who was burning out!
Shay Jones
Faculty, Foundational Studies
Harrisburg Area Community College, PA
The On Course Workshop was the most productive learning experience I have had in years.
Kelli Rush
Faculty, Business
Campbellsville University, KY

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