On Course, Study Skills Plus Edition

ON COURSE: STRATEGIES FOR CREATING SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND IN LIFE, STUDY SKILLS PLUS EDITION was created for educators who would like to promote student growth and self-awareness, while providing more extensive instruction in study skills. Downing's powerful guided journal entries have been retained from the original ON COURSE text to encourage students to explore essential life skills such as personal responsibility, self-motivation, interdependence, and self-esteem. The Study Skills Plus Edition engages students in a learner-centered construction of study skills knowledge, and gives students practice in applying empowerment strategies. The 2nd edition highlights the very process of learning how to solve academic challenges with improved study skills. Students engage in critical and creative problem solving that will enable them to achieve greater success in all parts of their lives. The 2nd edition also features expanded coverage of diversity, emphasizing the many ways in which people are different and how these differences often influence the choices they make. Other new topics include a discussion of academic integrity, how to thrive in the college culture, and a research-based section on the importance of developing a growth mindset. Plus, a new Annotated Instructors Edition guides instructors to relevant exercises and materials in the ON COURSE FACILITATOR'S MANUAL.

SKIP DOWNING is an international consultant in the field of faculty development and student success strategies. Dr. Downing has earned degrees from Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Santa Monica, and Carnegie Mellon University. He holds advanced degrees in both English and counseling psychology. He was Professor of English at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) for 32 years. In addition to his role as an academic instructor, Dr. Downing created and coordinated BCCC's Student Success and Learning Community Programs. These programs teach students how to apply proven strategies of success to achieve their full potential in college and in life. The College Success Program resulted in a significant increase in both student academic success and retention. Click here to see the data from BCCC as well as many other institutions using the On Course text. Dr. Downing has made numerous presentations at national conferences and conducted faculty development workshops at many two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands. Since 1996, he has facilitated the On Course Workshops, intensive four-day retreats for college educators focusing on proven strategies for empowering students to become active, responsible partners in their education and to achieve greater success in college and in life. These workshops offer participants the option of earning three graduate credits in a follow-up on-line course. Dr. Downing's teaching, writing, and consulting are all guided by his belief that the greatest mission of any educational institution is empowering its students to live rich, personally fulfilling lives.