Foundations of Learning



by Karl Krumsieg, Pacific Crest &
Marie Baehr, Elmhurst College
ISBN 978-1-878437-96-9 Third Edition
235 pages
List price $35
($50 with Activities book)

Overview
Appropriate Contexts

Table of Contents

Foundations of Learning Web site

 

Designed for a one-credit course on information literacy, this book can serve as a stand-alone resource or be used in conjunction with the Foundations of Learning Activities Book. Students build understanding and skills through content and activities that require thinking, problem-solving and research skills. 

 

 

 


Overview

Foundations of Learning starts students down the path that leads to success in college and life. Students not only learn valuable study skills, but a host of other life-skills from the cognitive, social, affective, and psychomotor domains.  Using Foundations of Learning, students not only improve their persona skill set  -but also become better overall learners.

This book is especially useful for students who are entering higher education. The first three chapters focus on helping students make the transition to college, making sure they understand their new roles and responsibilities as well as the resources available to them. Chapter Four introduces students to the concept of a "life vision" and the process of constructing a life vision portfolio while in college. The remaining chapters focus on improving the processes and skills which lead to the development of life-long learners and self-growers.

The book can be used at almost any type of higher education institution that offers a foundations, orientation, or seminar course for incoming students. If class time is limited, the first eight chapters serve nicely as a "transition to college" course, with Chapters 5-8 focusing on basic skills (including study skills). Later chapters are a starting point for building those key skills that will enhance an individual’s overall life experience. 

Contexts 

Foundations of Learning can be used in the following contexts:

  • Freshman seminar courses,

  • First-year experience, orientation courses,

  • Academic preparation programs,

  • Learning Center programs, 

  • a supplement to any course where active learning is being emphasized.

Table of Contents

Chapter One – Making the Transition to College
 
What is a Transition?
Increased Responsibility
Accepting Accountability &
Degree Completion
Possible Threats and Opportunities Resulting from Your Transition to College
Leverage Your Past to Optimize Your Future
The Road Not Taken
Tools for Success
Why Students Go to College
Discussion Questions

Chapter Two – College and Higher Education


Higher Education–A New Environment
College Catalog
Student Handbook
Components of a College
Support Systems and Services
Campus Resources
Higher Education Degrees
Faculty Responsibilities
Faculty Rankings
Ways of Being for Different Disciplines
Classroom Learning Environments
Web Resources

Chapter Three – The Role of a College Student

Preparing for a Career
Getting an Education
Your Role as a Student
Profile of a Quality Student
What Employers Look for When Hiring
Academic Honesty
Academic Advising
Faculty Office Hours
Calculating a Grade Point Average
Time Management
Financing a College Education
Web Sites related to Financial Aid
Exercise – Comparing College and High School


Chapter Four – Creating a Life Vision Portfolio

What is a Life Vision?
What is a Life Vision Portfolio (LVP)?
Why is it Important to Develop a LVP?
Factors that Promote Commitment to Developing a Life Vision
Example Components of a LVP
Using a LVP Throughout One's Life
Criteria Lists for a Quality LVP
Life Vision Worksheet
Goal Setting
Journal Writing
Where Do I Go From Here?

Chapter Five – Improving Your Learning Skills

Learning and Learning How to Learn
Profile of a Quality Learner
Levels of Learner Performance
Improving Your Learning Skills
Methodology – A Tool to Help You Get Better at a Process
The Most Efficient Way to Learn a New Process
The Learning Process Methodology
Overview of  the Learning Process  Methodology (LPM)
Discussion of the Steps in the LPM
Beyond Knowledge to Skills
Classification of Learning Skills
Learning Styles
Web Sites related to Learning Styles
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences
What Does This Mean for You?

Chapter Six – Information Literacy & Study Skills

Living in the Information Age
Information Literacy
Information and Knowledge
Profile of an Information Literate Person
Skills Associated with Information Processing
Highlighted Information Processing Skills
Listening
Brainstorming
Memorizing
Skimming
Information Processing Methodology
Discussion of the Information Processing Methodology
Research Tips

Study Skills

Note-taking
Preparing for Tests and Exams
Test Taking Strategies
Performance Levels for Listening
Discussion Questions

Chapter Seven – Reading Skills

Connection between Reading and Writing Processes
Improving Your Reading Skills
Reading Methodology
Discussion of the Reading Process
Example of the Reading Process
Textual Analysis – Applying the Reading Process in the Humanities
Applying Textual Analysis
Example of Textual Analysis
SQ3R Reading Method
Web Sites related to Reading

Chapter Eight – Writing Skills

Thoughts about Writing
Formal and Informal Writing
The Writing Process
Writing Methodology
Using the Writing Methodology
Discussion of the Writing Methodology
Example-Writing an Argumentative Essay
Writing College Papers
Tips for Writing a Quality Paper
Quoting and Citing Other People’s Work
The Impact of E-mail on Writing and Thinking
Web Sites, Writing Resources

Chapter Nine – Utilizing Tools and Technology

The Impact of Computer Technology
Computers as Tools
The Internet
The World Wide Web
Finding Your Way around the WWW
Search Engines
Keyword Searching
Category or Subject Searching
E-mail
E-mail Addresses and Using Email
Other Ways of Accessing and Sharing Information on the Internet
Evaluating the Quality of Internet Information
Methodology for Learning a New Tool
Discussion of the Methodology
Example of Learning a New Tool
Web pages related to computers and the Internet

Chapter Ten – Personal Development

Aspects of Personal Development Covered in this Chapter
Belief and Desire Must Come First
Self-Grower – A Model for Personal Development
Profile of Self-grower
Personal Development Methodology
Discussion of the Personal Development Methodology
Web Sites, Mentoring
Health and Physical Well Being
Nutrition
Fitness
Stress
Sleep
Health & Wellness-related Web Sites
Emotional Well Being
An Ethical Model to Live By
The 4 C’s
Applying the Model to Real Life
Discussion Questions


Chapter Eleven – Relating and Working With Others

The Importance of Skills in the Social Domain
Teamwork
Profile of a Good Team Player
Teamwork Methodology
Discussion of the Teamwork Methodology
Communication Skills
Communication Methodology
Discussion of the Communication Methodology
Preparing a Presentation
Delivering a Presentation
Diversity
Service Learning
Web Sites, Service Learning
Management
Management Methodology
Discussion of the Management Methodology


Chapter Twelve – Problem Solving Skills

Problems and Problem Solving
Profile of a Good Problem Solver
Problem Solving Skills
Defining Terms Related to Problem Solving
Problem Solving Methodology
Discussion of the Problem Solving Methodology
Problem Solving Example – The Rent Problem
Solving Word Problems
Web Sites, Problem Solving


Chapter Thirteen – Assessment and Evaluation Skills

Familiarity with Evaluation and Assessment
Why Improve Your Assessment Skills?
Defining Important Terms
Measurement, Evaluation and Assessment
Assessment and Self Assessment
Profile of a Quality Assessor
Assessment Methodology
Discussion of the Assessment Methodology
SII Method of Assessment
Examples of Designing an Assessment
Performance Levels for Assessors

Appendix

Employment Projections, by Occupation: 1996 data and 2006 projections
Classification of Learning Skills