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Student Success, Retention & Engagement | On Course

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I am…

I have borrowed an activity (from an unknown author) that has worked well in my classes. The activity is called “I AM,” and its goals are to offer students an opportunity to get to know one another and to gain increased self-awareness. The only materials needed are paper and pencil for each participant. It helps if the paper is the same color.

Now the process:

1. The facilitator distributes paper and pencils and asks each participant to write five true statements beginning with the words “I am…”  None of the sentences may include information about the person’s appearance (height, weight, sex, race, etc.).  Example: I am an optimistic person. I am an Easterner by birth but a Westerner by choice.  I am the mother of two children. I am a great listener.

2. Tell students not to write their names on the paper but that others will eventually find out who wrote the sentences.

3. When finished, students place their papers face down on a desk or chair placed in the middle of the group.

4. One student selects a paper at random and reads it to the entire group. (Student should not read his/her own.)

5. After the student has read the sentences, the group members guess who wrote them and discuss why they think so.

6. After the group has had ample opportunity to guess which member wrote the sentences, the author identifies himself or herself.

7. Steps 4 through 6 are repeated until all papers have been read and all authors identified.

8. The facilitator leads the group in discussing questions such as:

  •  How did you decide what type of information to write about yourself?
  •  Was it difficult to come up with five sentences beginning with “I am”?
  •  How much did you really tell us about yourself?
  •  What have you learned about yourself?
  •  What have you learned about other members of the group?
  •  Do you feel that other members really disclosed much about themselves?
  •  Have your feelings changed toward any member of the group? Yourself? In what way?

 This is a powerful activity and I think your classes will enjoy it.

 –Frank Szymanski, Director of Athletics, Chesapeake College, MD 

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

Our college needs to offer this workshop for all faculty, full and part-time.
John McGill
Associate Dean, Biology
York Technical College, SC
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
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
On a scale of 1-10, I rate the overall value I received from the workshop as a 15.
Deborah Rayner
Faculty, Computer Science
Harford Community College, MD
The On Course Workshop was the most productive learning experience I have had in years.
Kelli Rush
Faculty, Business
Campbellsville University, KY
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 transformed my professional and personal life.
Susan Pitcher
Director, TRIO
Bay College, MI
I am going back to campus more empowered and energized.
Tyrone Davidson
Director, Undergraduate Advising
Missouri U of Science & Technology, MO
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
This was an awesome experience for an educator who was burning out!
Shay Jones
Faculty, Foundational Studies
Harrisburg Area Community College, PA

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