Title of the proposal
Utilizing the Learning and Study Skills Inventory (LASSI) to Improve Learning Outcomes at an Urban Community College
Bio
Victor Rodriguez/Learning and Study Strategies of Freshmen in an Urban Community College
I am an assistant professor at Bronx Community College/CUNY with over 25 years of teaching experience. My primary area of expertise is in the freshmen year experience and corresponding seminars. Aside from teaching, an integral part of my day involves serving students as a counselor and advisor. I have a master’s degree in psychology and another in Social work where I hold a license in New York State. My primary area of research is focused upon learning, stress and coping, and career development. I am also interested in effective pedagogy, building resilience and emotional intelligence. I began using an online platform (Blackboard) to teach my students over 10 years ago. Recently, I developed the structure for an online template that is being utilized throughout my department today. I am very much interested in expanding the use of technology in the classroom as it becomes more available. And, I am devoted to the principle of social justice through education and opportunity. This is an area that we need to continue building upon particularly within those under-served communities across the nation.
General description of the initiative or project
In this project, freshmen students learning needs at this predominantly Hispanic-serving institution were assessed using the LASSI, an online inventory with 10 scales: anxiety, attitude, concentration, information processing, motivation, selecting main ideas, self-testing, study aids, testing strategies and time management. The LASSI is a diagnostic and prescriptive inventory providing standardized scores and national norms. Armed with this information, students enrolled in a freshmen orientation seminar were assigned online learning modules specifically designed to meet their particular needs. A pre/post analysis of their LASSI scores was analyzed in order to determine any significant differences resulting from the use of these Instructional modules.