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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Welcome!
Learning Objectives
Accessing the Student Portal
Ashworth College Student Handbook
The Ashworth Website
The Structure of Programs
Your Technology Choices
STUDY SKILLS
Introduction
The Importance of Time Management
A Place to Study
An Approach to Your Studies
All about Learning Styles
The Art of Taking Notes
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1
4
4
5
11
14
22
26
26
26
30
32
33
44
49
Introduction
Saving Your Written Work
Types of Assessments
Prepare for Online Exams
Take Online Exams
Deal with Test-Taking Anxiety
Strategies for Multiple-Choice Exams
Strategies for Essay Questions
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49
50
52
53
53
54
55
59
Introduction
Summary
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iii
INTRODUCTION
Welcome!
Welcome to Ashworth College!
And welcome to your very first Ashworth lesson: Learning at Ashworth. Why are
we starting you with this lesson? Firstand most importantlywe want to make
sure you have the foundation you need to be successful with your studies. The
most basic foundation for success is knowledge of both what and how to study.
Most people think studying involves reading pages from a textbook or lesson.
Thats only partially true. The word study is a verbthat means its a process.
Studying does involve reading. However, successful studying involves much more
than that. It involves active engagement with the material. In this unit, well share
techniques you can use to learn more easilyand remember more.
Second, your home base for your studies is the Ashworth College website. This
website is a learning management system. Thats just a fancy name for a central
online location where youll find the majority of your learning resources and
activities. The website is where youll go to find the information and toolsand
people!you need to be successful with your studies. The website is jammed full
of material and tools for your use. But, to make full use of the website, you have
to know whats available and how to find it.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
Think of this section of Learning at Ashworth as a roadmap. This map will lead
you to your program materials, tools, instructional advisors, peers, and so much
more. Well show you where to find your lessons. Well tell you about available
tools and how to use them to better manage your time and tasks. Andpossibly
most importantlywell show you how to connect with others. Youll be able to
talk directly to Ashworth advisers as well as other students. Its important for you
to recognize that learning by distance does not mean learning alone. Think of
the Ashworth website as your learning community. Here youll find like-minded
people who, like you, are looking to learn and grow and be better people. Youll
have the opportunity to talk to and learn from themand they can help and
learn from you, too.
FAST FACT!
According to an employer survey conducted by the Distance Education and
Training Council (DETC), a full 94 percent of job supervisors would encourage
their employees to enroll in a distance education program available via a DETCaccredited institution like Ashworth College.
Remember, were here to help you succeed. Our instructional staff wants you to
be successful as you pursue your studies or advance in your career. Think of the
instructional staff as your guides. All of your instructors are experienced experts
in their fields. Theyre passionate about learning and sharing their knowledge
with others. Theyve worked with experts to design your classes in ways that
ensure that youre exposed to everything you need to learn about the subject
at hand. Theyve set up the instruction in manageable chunks that you can
work with easily. Theyve maximized your ability to work on your schedule. And,
theyve used easy-to-understand language to help you learn the important
terminology in your field. Where appropriate, theyve included assignments that
will help you to demonstrate what youve learned so far.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
We recommend that you start your program by carefully reviewing your overall program objectives. Then, for each lesson, read the
lesson objectives carefully. Give some thought to what each objective means and how it helps you to reach the program objectives.
When youve finished each lesson, go back and review the lesson
objectives one more time. Check to make sure you actually know or
can do what the objectives say youll be able to know or do. Thats
one way to make sure youre getting the most out of your program
material.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
Learning Objectives
When you complete this lesson, youll be able to
Explain why the Ashworth Student Handbook is important, and access and
use this valuable resource for assistance as you go through your studies
Identify the learning style that best describes you, and use this information
to determine the most effective way to approach your studies; take better
study notes
Explain the nature and purpose of assessments and describe how to study
effectively to prepare for and take an online examination
List the skill sets that are required for success in the twenty-first century
and describe how you can develop them
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2.
Locate the navigation banner at the top of the page. Click Portal to
access the Student Dashboard.
3.
Continued
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Before we move to your first activity, lets take a look at the mission statement
of Ashworth College. This statement defines who Ashworth is as an educational
institution and what we stand for as an organization. This statement will help you
to understand how we think of our students and what well do to help you meet
your educational and professional goals. Heres a copy of our mission statement:
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Our flexible curriculum is designed with YOU, the student, in mind. Our
courses are set up so that you can study at any time, any place, using any
pace that works for you. Schedule your studies around your life.
Highly relevant means content and subject matter that aligns with what
you need to know and do to be successful in the real world.
Our educational programs will teach you what you need to know about
your area of interest.
Read pages 1112. (Alternately, you can read the text of these pages in this
book; look for Figure 1.)
As you read, stop and ask yourself: What does this mean? How does it apply
to me? If youre reading a printed copy, use a pen to highlight or underline
keywords and phrasesthose are things that seem important or speak to
you directly. Dont be afraid to mark up the pages. This is one technique
you can use to remember what youve read. If youre working with the
online copy, use your study notebook to record the words and phrases that
seem important to you.
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FIGURE 1Continued
FAST FACT!
Nearly 130 million students have enrolled in distance-education programs
accredited by the DETC since its inception in 1890.
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An online school really isnt all that different from a brick-and-mortar school. Of
course, you already know that youll be getting around using your mouse, touch
pad, or keyboard. However, just as in a physical school, its important for you to
have answers to all of your questions before you start your first class. Thats part
of what makes Learning at Ashworth important. For example, if youre reading a
lesson for a biology class, you want to focus on biology, not on trying to figure
out where to find the reading assignment. When youre ready to turn in a math
assignment, you want to spend your time focusing on doing the best work you
can rather than worrying about how youll go about uploading your assignment
for grading.
So, this section is meant to give you a good grasp of the nuts and bolts of the
Ashworth website. Well help you to become familiar with all the components
of the site. Youll find pretty much everything you need within the website,
from your program materials and assignments to your student handbook to
public areas to talk to other students to an office that deals with financial and
administrative matters. The only areas youll miss are the gym and cafeteria!
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2.
You are now in the Student Portal. To access My Workspace, click Courses
in the upper right-hand banner.
My Workspace displays.
3.
Take a few minutes to look around this part of the website. Here youll find
three key features of the website that youll use often:
CoursesLocated across the very top of the page. This is where youll
select and access the lessons for your program.
Navigation PanelLocated down the left-hand side of the screen. Here
youll have quick access to many important tools. You can see school
announcements and news, modify preferences for how you access
content, and locate program supplements and other resources.
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For now, were going to focus on getting you up to speed on the site
quickly. Click Orientation, which youll find in the left-hand Navigation
panel.
5.
The Orientation site launches. Click the arrow in the middle of the
screen to launch an orientation video.
This four-minute film will tell you about all of the features on Ashworths
site. Take the time to watch it from start to finish!
6.
As you watch, use the Pause button to stop the video so you can take
notes. Make sure you take notes on the following key features:
Courses
Calendar
Announcements
Student Portal
Community
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7.
8.
Carefully review each of the items listed in step #6. Make notes on where
to find each tool and what you can do with it.
FAST FACT!
Online learning can also help you to develop the technology skills that are so
essential in todays work environment. All of the skills you use as you complete
your coursework can later be applied in your job huntand in the workplace.
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2.
Make notes as you watch this video, using the Pause button as necessary.
3.
After youve watched the video, think about what you learned.
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Syllabus
Many of your programs may include a document called a syllabus. Are you
already familiar with this type of resource? If not, youll find that a syllabus is
an overview of a program. It provides an outline of everything that youll learn
during the program, in the order in which youll learn it. It provides specific
information about what the program requires and the type of assignments
youll complete. Youll also find information about your instructor. For many of
your Ashworth programs, youll find your syllabus in the left-hand menu on the
homepage (Figure 2). We strongly recommend that you print this document and
keep it handy as you work through the program.
When you locate the syllabus link in the Navigation panel, youll see that
its divided into two parts, Syllabus: Course Information and Syllabus: Policy
Information.
Program objectives
Program Outline
Lesson descriptions
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Syllabus: Policy Information is where you can read about school information
that applies to all students, such as academic honesty and cheating and the
communications and conduct policies related to your interactions with faculty,
staff, and other students.
Read through the syllabus carefully before you begin your program or course to
get a good sense of whats ahead, what the workload looks like, whats expected
of you as a student, and what youll learn and achieve.
FAST FACT!
Can you guess the #1 reason that students choose online learning, according to
the U.S. Department of Education? Flexibility! Students appreciate the ability to
control their own learning schedule.
Textbook
Most programs and courses will require a textbook. Sometimes textbooks will be
available as electronic documents, or ebooks, that are accessed on the course
website. If your course features an ebook, youll find a link in the navigation menu
on the left-hand side of the screen on your homepage. The link will be called
ebook. You can click this link to read your textbook.
Many of our programs use standard textbooks that youll receive in the mail.
Check your syllabus for information on your textbook. We often use hard-copy
textbooks so that you have access to the latest and greatest information in your
field. Review your syllabus for information on the type of textbook youll be using
and when youll receive it.
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You can find lessons on the homepage of each Lesson Group (Figure 3).
FIGURE 3Lessons can be found in the left-hand Navigation panel after you
select a Lesson Group. For the Lesson Group shown, you can see lessons Learning
at Ashworth, and Allied Health Careers.
Lessons are listed in the left-hand menu. Click each lesson to access its content
and your assignments. Make sure you go in the correct order. Its important to
complete early lessons before later ones!
Examinations
As you work through your program, it will be important to make sure you really
understand the concepts and material. For this reason, youll find examinations
after each important lesson block. The examinations are not designed to trick you
or trip you up. Instead, theyre meant to test you on the concepts covered in the
program and to ensure that youre ready to move on in the material.
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18
1.
2.
Once you access the lesson material, you can click Exams & Quizzes in
the left-hand menu to access the Exams page. The Exams & Quizzes page
launches.
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3.
On this page, you can see the list of exams available for completion.
Generally, the exam title you want will correspond to the title of the
lesson you just completed.
4.
Once you click on the relevant exam link, the Introduction page for the
exam launches.
5.
If youre sure youre ready to take the exam, click the Begin Assessment
button to start.
The exam questions will appear one at a time. For multiple-choice
questions such as this one, click in the radio button that corresponds with
your answer. For other types of questions, follow the instructions that
are provided onscreen. Youll notice that you have the option to Reset
Selection, which clears your answer and allows you to change it easily.
You can also Mark for Review. This latter option is useful when youre
not sure about an answer. You can select an answer and then come back
to the question for review before you submit the entire examination for
grading. Once youre sure of your answer to a question, click Next.
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19
Your questions will appear one at a time. When you reach the last
question and feel comfortable with your responses, click Submit for
Grading. Youll be prompted to make sure youre really ready to submit
your answers. If you are, click Submit for Grading on the confirmation
screen.
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After you receive your confirmation number, you can click to see your
exam score. Later, you can review any exam score by clicking Exams &
Quizzes in the left-hand menu on your course homepage. The exam
scores will be listed at the bottom of the screen, along with any feedback
your instructor has provided.
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2.
Scroll down to see the currently active users and read their questions
and comments.
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The screen size is usually smaller. This may not be an issue for most learners,
but some people prefer the larger screen size of a desktop monitor.
Depending on the model, laptops dont always have all the same
functionality as a desktop unit. If you decide to buy a laptop, make sure you
do your research!
Finally, laptops used in public settings often need to run on battery power.
The battery is rechargeable, so this shouldnt be a problem. However, you
do have to be aware of the need to keep your laptop charged, or make sure
youll have access to a power outlet.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
23
Other options for learners include the tablet computer and the smartphone.
Tablets, such as iPads and KindleFires, are small portable computers that use an
interactive touchscreen. They allow users to access the Internet and use a variety
of applications. They also provide storage for files. Theyre smaller than laptops
but not as small as smartphones, at about seven inches in diameter. However,
theyre still small enough to be handheld and mobile. If you have a tablet, you
may find it convenient for accessing and reviewing your lesson materials, and
even for completing and submitting your assignments and examinations.
Finally, many people use a smartphone to access the Internet. Smartphones
are mobile phones that are well beyond a simple telephone. Theyre more like
mini computers in that they allow users to access the Internet, send and receive
text messages, send and receive email, take pictures and video, play media, and
more. Although you can use a smartphone to access your course content, the
limitations surrounding the screen size dont make them the best choice for
completing your studies.
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1.
In the blank provided, write the best definition for the word empower.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
2.
4. D
escribe where students can quickly locate their list of current
classes.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5.
Check your answers with those found at the end of this learning guide.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
25
STUDY SKILLS
Introduction
For many people, the words I have to study dont recall happy memories.
Instead, they bring up thoughts of last-minute cram sessions, noisy rooms
with too many distractions, an overdose of caffeine, and a general feeling of
hopelessness and exhaustion. However, studying doesnt have to be that way. In
fact, each of those issues is a common problem faced by students. Whats more,
each of those issues can be resolved with the right plan and the right attitude.
The first step is to think of studying as a part of your lifestyle, rather than as a
last-minute activity. Second, create a schedule for yourself that will be a guide for
using your time wisely so that you can achieve your goals. The key is to make a
realistic schedule that works for both your lifestyle and learning style.
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devote to your lessons each week, when to study for tests, and how to keep your
studies moving forward while juggling other responsibilities, such as a job or
family. Plus, youll want to make sure that your schedule includes appropriate
downtime for yourself so that you dont experience burnoutthat awful feeling
of exhaustion, when you start to feel less and less interested in the important
things in your life.
The key is to learn how to manage your time. Experts use the term time
management to describe the conscious process of planning and controlling how
people spend their time. Time management is all about analyzing what you do
with your time and then using planning tools to figure out how to best manage
that time. Most experts agree that time management is essential for getting more
done with less effortand less stress. Successful students recognize that their
first step toward educational success is to use time management techniques to
create a realistic schedule for themselves.
Make a written list of everything you do each day. Sometimes its easiest
to do this over the course of a week. Use a notebook or journal to track
how you spend your time. Write down the activity and estimate how
much time you spend doing it. Your list should include all of your daily
activities, such as showering, sleeping, working out, preparing meals,
eating, spending time with family, working at your job, surfing the
Internet, watching television, and so on.
2.
Make a list of the activities you must accomplish each week or month.
For example, you might need to shop for groceries, pay the bills, attend
religious services, and so on. Estimate the amount of time you need for
these activities. If you perform the activity on a particular day, note that
too.
3.
List all of your other chores and responsibilities. This is mostly those nonregular activities, such as visit with friends, attend medical appointments,
get your car worked on, and so on. Try to estimate how frequently you
handle these tasks and how long they take.
4.
Finally, make a list of things you like to do but dont get to do too often.
For example, you might enjoy sports, museums, parks, or meeting friends
for coffee or drinks. Estimate the frequency with which you engage in
these activities and try to figure out how long they take.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
27
5.
Analyze all of the information youve gathered about yourself. Look for
activities that are time-wasters or those that can be scaled back to make
room for more important things.
6.
Draft a weekly schedule for yourself that realistically takes into account all
of the things you must do each day (as well as those things you want to
do). Use a template like the one shown in Figure 5. Fill this in by starting
with your required daily tasks, required weekly tasks, and so on.
COURSE PLANNER
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Commute
Science
Commute
Science
Commute
8:00
9:00
History
History
Work
10:00
Study Block
Study Block
Study Block
11:00
Lunch/Review
Lunch/Review
12:00
Gym
Lunch/Review
Commute
Ethics
Work
Lunch/Review
1:00
Ethics
2:00
Study Block
Commute
3:00
Study/HW
Ethics
Commute
Commute
Gym
4:00
Study/HW
Commute
5:00
Gym
Work
6:00
Study/HW
7:00
B Ball
8:00
9:00
10:00
Exam
Exam
Exam
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7.
8.
Now, youll need to figure out when you can get your schoolwork done.
Looking at your draft schedule, how much time do you have available
each week for school activities? Are there activities you can scale back on
or take out altogether to spend time on schoolwork? Also, its important
not to simply plug study activities into blank time slots. Instead, figure
out a realistic number of hours you can devote to school, based on your
other responsibilities. You should give yourself about six hours per week
for study time. Based on your schedule, figure out the best hours for
studying. You want to make sure you choose times where you can be
focused. Here are some tips for choosing study times.
Wait at least one hour after youve eaten. You want to avoid that
feeling of tiredness that often occurs while food is digesting.
Find time slots when you wont be interrupted. You may have to make
this time happen for yourself by making it clear to others that youre
not going to be available. You may need to explain to friends and
family that you need some peaceful, quiet time so that you can focus
on your work.
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A Place to Study
Just like people, places have personalities of their own (Figure 6). Even if it we
arent conscious of it, environments relay messages to us. A bedroom might
whisper, Wouldnt it be nice to put down your books and lie down for a while?
The living room might say, Why not turn on the TV while you study? The kitchen
might murmur, Arent you hungry? And the local coffee shop might yell, Look!
A cute stranger!
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Amidst all of this noise, whats a student to do? Wheres the best place to study?
The ideal, of course, is to have a room that is set aside for studying. However,
most people dont have the space to create a dedicated room for schoolwork. But
what you can do is set aside part of one room. Yes, it might be part of the living
room or your bedroombut you want to make it your special place for studying.
Start by placing your desk or table against the wall. You should be facing the
wall rather than looking at the bed or television set. Use that wall space for
information and motivation. Put up a bulletin board where you can post your
weekly schedule and school-related information (Figure 7). Add a small picture
or poster of something that reminds you of your ultimate goalmaybe its your
child, who will be proud to see you graduate. Maybe its the job you want to
get when your coursework is finished. Maybe its something you want to buy
or somewhere you want to go when you get that dream job. Whatever it is, it
should remind you, each time you look at it, that youre doing this hard work for
something!
Add some shelves or drawers to store your school materialsand use them for
nothing but your school materials. Youll need space for books, notebooks, pens/
pencils, calculators, and whatever other school supplies you need, along with a
space for your computer equipment. It makes sense to invest in an inexpensive
plastic filing drawer with hanging files, in which you can create a hanging folder
for each of your classes. Then you can put all of the paperwork for that class in the
right folder.
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Here are some other tips for creating a good study space:
Try to keep anything distracting out of your line of sight. You dont want to
be reminded that you need to do the laundry or pay that unopened bill.
Have some colorful items aroundyou want to feel that the environment
is comfortable without being distracting. You definitely dont want a sterile
atmosphere.
32
Be realistic for the time allotted. Dont try to fool yourself into thinking
that you can accomplish more than you really can in the time youve
given yourself. The first few times you sit down to study, you may
accomplish more (or less) than you thought you might. Thats okay; this
experimentation gives you a better idea of how much material you can
actually absorb and recall in one sitting.
Set your priorities. Use your syllabus and class calendar to recognize what
you need to achieve each week. If youre taking more than one class, make
sure you prioritize the work by knowing what needs to be completed
first and/or what is going to require more (or less) of your attention. For
example, if you have an examination that you need to complete this week
and an essay in another course thats not due until next week, use that
information to determine how to use your study time.
Be focused. This is the most important factor in the wise use of study time.
Very often, our mind jumps around. It chatters away, gets distracted easily,
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
and wants to do anything but focus on one thing for an extended period.
This doesnt mean youre a poor student; it just means youre human. Its
okay when you find your mind wandering. However, you have to learn how
to get yourself back on track. Try closing your eyes and breathing deeply a
few times. As you exhale, imagine that youre blowing away those random
thoughts. If that doesnt work, take a five-minute break. Get up, stretch, and
walk around. A short burst of physical activity can be energizing and help
you to refocus.
Study actively! Youll find lots of study techniques and tips in this study
guide. The most important is this: Dont read casually, as if you were
catching up on the news. Instead, read actively and with purpose. Take
notes. Underline important keywords. Flag terms that are new and need to
be defined. Think about how the facts are related to each other, and how
they fit into the big picture.
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33
2.
3.
4.
5.
34
B.
C.
B.
C.
what I do.
B.
C.
B.
C.
When I explain something that Ive worked on, I feel most comfortable
when
A.
B.
C.
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6.
7.
8.
9.
written test.
B.
C.
demonstration.
B.
tell them.
C.
draw a map.
B.
C.
build a display.
B.
be a sports announcer.
C.
compete as an athlete.
B.
C.
put on a skit.
do a research paper.
B.
C.
make a project.
B.
C.
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35
B.
C.
make a project.
in a letter or email.
B.
C.
very neat.
B.
quite light.
C.
neat.
B.
ok.
C.
messy.
B.
C.
description.
B.
words.
C.
action.
36
A.
newspaper staff.
B.
C.
drama team.
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faces.
B.
C.
B.
C.
B.
C.
23. When Im in a new situation, such as the first day of school or a job, I
A.
B.
C.
B.
C.
B.
C.
draw a picture.
watch a movie.
B.
listen to music.
C.
B.
C.
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37
_____
_____
_____
If you had more answers with option A, then youre predominately a visual
learner. You remember best by using your eyes.
What youll probably find of interest in your score is that you probably you rely
on all three learning styles to some degree. Thats perfectly normal! Most people
use all of their senses when learning new information. In fact, experts say that the
best way to learn new material is to include activities that appeal to each of the
learning styles, as that maximizes our ability to retain the information. However,
your predominant learning style can tell you a lot about how you should set up
your study time.
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Visual Learners
As a visual learner, you tend to remember more when you take a visual approach
to materialwhen you use your eyes. Heres what the experts say about visual
learners.
They tend to vividly remember pictures and make the most sense of
information when they see it in a visual form, such as a chart or diagram.
They comprehend material more fully when they read it themselves rather
than when they listen to someone else reading it out loud or lecturing
about it. When they must listen, these learners like to take notes, because
the notes create a visual memory of the material for later.
If visual learning is your primary learning style, follow these tips to get the most
out of your study sessions.
Make flashcards out of colored index cards. Separate them into know and
dont know piles as you study. Find creative ways to use them.
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39
Influence
Cause
Effect
Influence
Solution
ea
in
Ma
Id
Detail
Topic
Concept
Theme
Different
Same
Different
FIGURE 8Different kinds of graphic organizers are useful for different kinds of
information. Use an online search engine such as Google to find other graphic
organizers that can help you to render information in a visual format.
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Use things you can see whenever possible as youre studying, such as
pictures, charts, timelines, note cards, or illustrations.
Use visual exaggeration to remember facts and details. That means speak
them out loud and exaggerate your facial expressions or accompanying
hand gestures. Consider studying in front of a mirror so you can see
yourself make those movements.
Auditory Learners
As an auditory learner, you tend to remember more when you listenwhen you
use your ears (Figure 9).
They enjoy discussions and tend to remember whats said by all parties to
the conversation.
They would rather listen to audio books than read print, and they tend to
remember more when they listen to audio books.
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They tend to find foreign languages easier to learn than other people.
They can verbally articulate their ideas quite clearly and easily.
They sometimes find subjects such as math and writing a little more
difficult than other subjects.
If auditory learning is your primary learning style, follow these tips during your
study sessions:
42
Say the things youre trying to learn out loud, over and over.
Join a study group so you can verbally interact about the material while
studying it.
Use a pointer or bookmark while reading so that you wont skip lines while
you read.
Use audio tapes such as commercial books on tape to aid in the recall of
information.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
Kinesthetic Learners
As a kinesthetic learner, you tend to remember by doing (Figure 10).
Theyre most successful when they can practice or do what theyre learning.
They enjoy doing projects rather than just talking about them.
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43
Theyre good at taking things apart and putting them back together.
They sometimes find it draining to work with abstract objects and ideas.
If kinesthetic learning is your primary learning style, follow these tips to get the
most out of your study time:
While studying, use hand gestures to emphasize points.
When trying to learn, act out the material; alternately, pretend youre a
teacher and teach the material to someone else.
Have someone talk through the information with you while youre doing
something active, such as shooting baskets, jumping rope, or walking.
Write and draw out concepts while youre studying them, as doing so will
help you to absorb and retain the information. Use graphic organizers such
as those shown in Figure 8.
Babe Ruth
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LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
Begin by quickly reading the entire assignment. During this quick review,
dont try to memorize anything. Your goal is to get a general idea of what
the lesson is all about.
Next, read the assignment a second time. For this review, read carefully and
thoughtfully. Use a highlighting marker or pen to highlight the main points
of the lesson as well as keywords and their definitions.
Finally, organize the information for yourself. There are different ways to
accomplish this. For example, you can create an outline (Figure 11). An
outline is meant to use words to show the relationship from the main idea
to the supporting ideas to facts about the supporting ideas. You might also
create a concept map (see Figure 8). For this type of map, place the main
idea in the center and then connect the supporting ideas to it by drawing
lines.
Example Outline
Essay Topic
I.
Main Point 1
a. Supporting Fact 1
b. Supporting Fact 2
II. Main Point 2
a. Supporting Fact 1
b. Supporting Fact 2
III. Main Point 3
a. Supporting Fact 1
b. Supporting Fact 2
IV. Main Point 4
V.
a. Supporting Fact 1
b. Supporting Fact 2
Main Point 5
a. Supporting Fact 1
b. Supporting Fact 2
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45
46
Believe in yourself. Your brain is a complex piece of work and has genius
capacity. It takes time and effort, but if you believe in yourself, youll reach
your true and full potential.
Divide and conquer. To conquer a goal, analyze the task at hand and
divide it into smaller, more manageable tasks. Then prioritize those tasks.
Start with the first small task, complete it, cross it off the list, and move on
to the next one.
Dont fear mistakes. Dont be afraid to try something new just because
youre afraid you may get it wrong the first time. Remember, if you make a
mistake, review the results, identify what went wrong, and decide how to
do it better the next time. Then do it againonly this time, apply what you
learned the first time.
Always be active. Learning comes down to one thing. You need to use
what youre learning. That means you must do something with it. Think
about the information, evaluate it, write it down.
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2. D
escribe how students should use highlighting to get the most out
of this study activity.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
3. D
escribe the three main learning styles and include an example of a
study activity that would be helpful for individuals who rely on each
learning style.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Continued
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47
4. D
escribe how students should prioritize their studies. Include an
example of how a student might do this.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5. Lets say youve scheduled a study session for this evening. Write
out a concrete goal for yourself for this session, based on your current lesson assignment.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Check your answers with those found at the end of this learning guide.
48
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
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49
Use this as an opportunity to get organized! Create a folder on your computer for
each course youre taking. Save a copy of your written work there. Use a logical
file-naming system so you can easily find your work after the fact. We suggest
naming by lesson number/name, assignment type, and date, for example:
English_Lesson 2_Essay (2-12-14).
Types of Assessments
Your program may include both self-assessments and examinations. Selfassessments are nongraded quizzes that help you to determine whether youre
ready for the lesson examination. If you havent done well on a quiz, thats a sign
you should go back and study the material again before moving forward.
Examinations generally appear at the end of each lesson. Some programs have
only a few lessons and a few examinations, while others have many. Examinations
can be set up with multiple-choice questions, short or long essays, or project
assignments. The type of examination is based on the nature of the content.
Dont be afraid of examinations. Theyre simply assessment tools used to measure
your academic performance. To assess means to examine and judge. Of course
no one likes to feel judged, but assessment is an important element of learning.
Assessments such as quizzes and examinations arent judgments on you as a
person. Instead, theyre a way to assess whether you have enough knowledge of
the subject to move to the next step.
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LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
FAST FACT!
Some people think that online learning is easier than classroom learning.
Thats a myth! Distance learning is still learning; it just uses a different delivery
method. In fact, studies show that online learning requires just as much time
and dedication as the traditional classroom experience. The most successful
online learners are students who are independent, motivated, and disciplined.
Theyre the people who want to get ahead and are willing to put in the work to
get therelike you!
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52
1.
Know the subjects, chapters, and concepts that will be covered in the
exam. This means paying attention to the lessons and assignments
covered by the exam in question. Read the lesson objectives for each
assignment; your exam should test you on what you were supposed to
learn, which is outlined for you in the objectives. In general, the more you
know about what to expect, the more prepared youll be.
2.
Ask your instructor if you have any questions about the material or the
testing process. Its best to contact your instructor before you start the
test, especially if youre unsure how to proceed or find the directions
unclear.
3.
Take good notes while working through the material, as this will reduce
the amount of time you must spend organizing and studying, and will
also help you to retain the most relevant information.
4.
Give yourself plenty of time to study. Dont try to cram at the last minute.
5.
6.
Make sure the area where youll take your test is free of distractions such
as loud noises or other people. Let your family and friends know that you
need privacy at this time.
7.
8.
Get enough sleep the night before. Eat well and let go of feelings of stress
and anxiety. It may help you to breathe in and out for a few minutes
before you begin. Center yourself and tap into your ability to concentrate.
9.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
Make sure your computer is on the correct settings to avoid any surprises.
You can find information on computer settings on the Ashworth website.
2.
Close all other windows besides your exam page. This helps to avoid
confusion, clutter, and frustration.
3.
Many online examinations are timed. The timer starts when you press a
Start button. The timer should be visible to you, but make it a point to be
aware of your start time.
4.
Wait until the test is fully loaded before you begin answering questions.
5.
6.
When more than one question appears on a page, click the Submit button
only after youve answered all of them.
7.
Dont forget to click Submit when youre done. Youll get confirmation that
the test submitted successfully and was received by the school.
Dont panic! Breathe deeply and tell yourself that you can do this. Take slow,
deep breaths. Dont focus on the fearthat only makes it worse. Instead,
think about what you have to do. Break it into small steps and stay on task.
Be aware of how much time you have for the test. Figure out about how
much time youll have for each question and budget your time accordingly.
Make sure youre in a relaxed position. Change positions if you need to.
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53
If your mind begins to go blank, skip the question. Go to the next one.
Come back to the skipped question after answering other questions; just
make sure you dont forget to enter an answer.
If youre writing an essay, pick a question and begin writing on scrap paper.
Use free association and write whatever comes to mind regarding the
subject. Try to draft an outline for the main idea and supporting ideas that
should go into the essay.
Most importantly, expect some anxiety with tests. Just make sure you deal
with it productively. Anxiety is just a reminder that the test is important and
requires your attention.
FAST FACT!
According to the DETC, distance education is a popular way to learn in just
about every career field and subjectfrom accounting to zoology and
everything in between!
54
Make note of keywords in questions. They often provide a clue to the best
answer.
Check to see if the grammar fits; the correct answer should grammatically
fit with the question.
Watch for modifiers such as always, every, and never in answer options.
These usually indicate that an answer is wrong.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
Dont leave any question unanswered, if you have time. Make educated
guesses if necessary.
Use the content of other questions as a clue. Sometimes youll find the
answer to one question within the content of another question.
Longer answers arent always better. Dont continue rambling on, making
the same points over and over. Meet the minimum length requirement for
the response, but be concise and thorough.
2.
Focus on whats being asked. Look for action words and respond
accordingly. This is very important! Misunderstanding the directive words
will render even a well-written answer wrong. Some examples of action
words include the following:
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56
Specify means to state explicitly, with detail. For example: Specify the
cause of the argument between the two main characters.
State means to express the particulars, in words. For example: State the
facts of the case.
3.
Organize your thoughts before you begin to write. If you can create an
outline of the main idea and supporting facts on scrap paper, do so before
you begin writing.
4.
5.
Be sure to answer all parts of the question. Some questions will have more
than one part.
6.
Always restate ideas in your own words, rather than copying someone
elses opinion, unless youre using someone elses words as a direct
quotation.
7.
Cite your information source if its something other than the assigned
textbook.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
8.
Use supporting details and facts, such as date, time, place, and proper
names, where appropriate.
9.
FAST FACT!
A survey of students enrolled in DETC-accredited institutions such as Ashworth
College showed that a full 97% of students found that distance education
matched or exceeded their expectations!
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57
1. D
escribe the process to be followed to access and complete an
examination.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
2.
3. W
hich of these isnt taken into account when your final grade for a
course is determined?
a. Written assignments
b. Multiple-choice exams
c. Submitted essays
d. Multiple-choice quizzes
4.
5. I f a student is asked to summarize what she learned in a reading assignment, she should
a. provide lively examples from her own experience.
b. use reasoning and argument to make a point.
c. cover all the main points that she read in the assignment.
d. take one or two key points and elaborate on them.
Check your answers with those found at the end of this learning guide.
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LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
Arts
Economics
Geography
Mathematics
Science
World languages
However, theyre also looking for employees to have other skill sets, such as the
following:
1.
Collaboration
2.
Communication
3.
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59
4.
Information literacy
5.
Problem solving
6.
Responsible citizenship
These are considered the twenty-first century skill sets. How do you go about
gaining these important skills?
The first thing you can do to gain a better understanding of these six areas is to
read an important paper that was produced by a group called The Partnership
for 21st Century Skills. Their document, The Framework for 21st Century Learning
(http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/P21_Framework_Definitions.pdf), is
a detailed review of these skill sets and why theyre necessary for success. Youll
find the information within this document to be incredibly useful. (However,
the document is long! Youll probably want to break up your review over several
sessions.)
As you read, put your outlining and note-taking skills to work. Record the
important points made in the paper. Then, create a self-assessment for yourself,
as follows:
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Take several sheets of paper and divide each of them into three columns.
Label the far left column SKILL. In that column, list each skill discussed in
the paper.
In the middle column, write STRENGTH. In the far right column, write
WEAKNESS. In the STRENGTH column, write the things you do or the steps
you take to meet the skill in question. In the WEAKNESS column, write how
you think youre failing to meet this skill, or the things you do that might be
impeding your progress.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
A sample sheet is shown in Figure 12. Yours will probably run over several
pages. Try to assess yourself as honestly as possible. The idea is to see not only
what youre already doing to sharpen your skills, but what you can do to keep
improving.
SKILL
STRENGTH
WEAKNESS
Media Literacy
Information,
Communication, and
Technology Literacy
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61
When paying your bills each month, reflect on your financial literacy. For
example, do you know how to balance a checkbook? Do you know how much
debt you have, and what interest rates youre paying? Do you know where your
bank is investing the money you deposit?
Consider this approach for each of the categories of information covered in the
paper. To find other ways to develop these skills or to sharpen those you already
have, consider investigating the following resources.
Summary
Now youre ready to take your first examination. Learning at Ashworth was
designed to help you to become a better student. The examination is meant
to give you practice taking an Ashworth test and to help you feel confident
about what you learn in this learning guide. Look back over all of the material
thats been covered and think about what youve learned. Do you see how the
techniques and strategies youve learned can help you to be more successful in
your studies?
After you complete your first exam, youll be ready to move on to the heart
of your coursework. However, dont just put this guide away. Instead, use the
material as you go forward. Youll find the information can be quite helpful when
youre starting a new course or assignment. Revisit this guide frequently as a
refresher, paying special attention to the strategies and tactics designed to help
you study more effectively, and those related to taking examinations.
Along with this guide, you should make the Ashworth Student Handbook a
constant companion. The handbook is worth printing out a copy so that you
can readily access it when you have a question or need help. The handbook will
provide answers to many common questions and will also show you where to go
if you have other questions or need help or clarification.
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63
1.
L ist the eight core subject areas that employers expect all
employees to know.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
3. G
ive an example of one of the twenty-first century literacy areas
and describe how you can become more knowledgeable about that
area in your everyday life.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Check your answers with those found at the end of this learning guide.
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LEARNING AT ASHWORTH
ACHIEVEMENT EXAM
Now that youve completed this part of your program, its time to take the
Achievement Exam.
First, log on to the student portal. Once you log on,
Click Courses
Learning at Ashworth
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65
NOTES
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Empower is best described as taking control over your life and decisions.
2.
3.
Accounts
4.
5.
True
When highlighting, look for the highlights of the material, such as main
subjects, examples of these subjects, and important words and their
definitions. Avoid highlighting entire sentences or sections, as that misses
the point of the exercise.
3.
Although your study examples may vary, a kinesthetic learner is one who
enjoys using his or her hands to learn new material. An auditory learner
prefers to listen to or record study material out loud. A visual learner
prefers to read material or organize it visually to maximize information
retention.
4.
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67
5.
From the course page, click Exams & Quizzes in the left-hand menu to
access the Exams page. On the Exams & Quizzes page, click the exam
you want to submit. On the Introduction page, click Begin Assessment.
Answer each question, clicking Next to get to the next question. At the
end of the exam, click Submit for Grading. Click Submit for Grading a
second time to indicate youre sure you want to submit the examination
to your instructor.
2.
False
3.
4.
True
5.
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1.
The eight core subject areas include the arts, economics, English
(reading and language arts), geography, history (government and civics),
mathematics, science, and world languages.
2.
3.
LEARNING AT ASHWORTH