Wright//2015 New Intl Student Orientation//Session 3 Schedule

Transylvania University New International Student Orientation

August 10-13, 2015
Academic Session 3: Taking Control of Learning: Academic Resources and You
Where: Library Computer Lab (lower level of the library)
When: Tuesday, August 11, from 4:30-5:30pm
What to bring: Pencils/pens and a notebook (10.5 inches X 8 inches/26.7 centimeters X 20.3
centimeters)
Designated groups (sit with your group members when you enter the lab):
Group 1: Jie Yang, Jie Ren, Daniel
Group 2: Jevic, Yaya, Min Vu
Group 3: Wejdan, Jiechen, Chetali, J.R., Ganlin
Activity Instructions:
1. (5 minutes) Begin this session by freewriting about how you might respond to the
assignment that asks you to evaluate your understanding of a chosen syllabus (choices
listed above). For this short writing task, do not worry about grammar, handwriting, or
other technical features of Standard English.
2. (15 minutes) Discuss your praise for and concerns with two or three of the syllabuses I
have provided to you. Answer these questions in your group:

What common information do ALL of the syllabuses offer students? Why?

What is one strength of each syllabus? Explain how each strength assists you as
a student who might take the class.

What confuses you about each syllabus? How can you ask for clarification from
the professor? Write one question about each syllabus you can ask the professor
and describe how you can ask the question (e.g. by email, face-to-face, etc.) and
when you can ask (e.g. time, place, etc.).

How can you express a respectful tone and clarify your meaning when you
approach the professor with your questions about the syllabus? Pretend you are
preparing to visit your professor to ask your questions. Describe your
expectations for the interaction with the professor. What are your concerns?

What can you do to address these concerns?

3. (10 minutes) On the slips of paper I give to you, write a word or phrase on that clearly A)
states the professors name on your chosen syllabus, B) states one strength of the
syllabus, and C) states one thing about the syllabus that confuses you.

Wright//2015 New Intl Student Orientation//Session 3 Schedule

4.

(15 minutes) Read the course information and scenario that I give to your group.
Discuss with your group members the specific requirements and circumstances that
surround the scenarios challenge question. Then, drawing on what you learned in
Module #2 of the summer program, write an outline on a white board in the lab. Make
sure that your groups outline clearly identifies and describes your groups plan for using
Transy academic resources to complete the assignment successfully. You may look
online at Module #2 and ask me for help.

5. (10 minutes) One at a time, discuss each groups plan. Discuss the strengths of each
plan and talk about how you might improve the plan. Ask me for help, if necessary. For
each groups plan, answer these questions:

How do you know what each assignment is asking you to do? Explain.

How do you know or how can you identify the professors expectations for each
assignment? Explain a strategy.

What kinds of special disciplinary knowledge do you think you might need to
know to complete each assignment?

How can you identify and find this knowledge?

What academic resources are part of the plan to complete each assignment?

Are any academic resources omitted? Which ones? What should we add to each
plan? What should we remove?

Homework:

Again, as explained above in the previous session instructions and using your
freewriting material from this session, write a paragraph on you blog that either A)
explains the strengths of your chosen syllabus or B) explains what you find
difficult to understand in the syllabus. Then, write a second paragraph in which
you explain how you might use the syllabus as a student in that specific course
or how you might get some clarification from the professor about the things in the
syllabus that confuse you. Here are your syllabus options:
Dr.Hoppers first-year seminar course:
http://www.transy.edu/fla/Hopper.htm
Dr. Gaos Beginning Chinese Language II course:
http://tinyurl.com/o66fm8p
Dr. Jacksons General Psychology course:
http://tinyurl.com/logs8ct
Prof. Haynes Principles of Accounting I:
http://tinyurl.com/lysgdah

Wright//2015 New Intl Student Orientation//Session 3 Schedule

Think about this question: How can you consider your professors as academic
resources? Pretend you are a professor, and write a personal message to the
new international students, explaining how you can serve as an academic
resource for them. NOTE: Your message doesnt have to be long, but it should
adequately explain your enthusiasm and specific ideas for serving as an
academic resource.

Deadlines:

Blog post for this academic session: Wednesday, August 12, at 8am.