Why a Success Strategies Grade???

In order to learn mathematics (or anything for that matter) you must be an active participant in the learning process. Therefore, I have created a way for you to systematically incorporate your active participation in the course as part of your semester grade.  I call this option your Success Strategies Grade.  

Research suggests that in order for students to develop the ability to be life long learners, it is essential that they:

• learn to think about how they learn,
• reflect regularly and honestly on why they learn or fail to learn,
• take the time to thoughtfully monitor and assess their work and work habits, and
• be open to the possibility of incorporating new approaches in learning in their courses, particularly as the level of difficulty increases.  

Successful learners regularly employ strategies that allow them to:

• stay actively involved with the material,
• thoroughly analyze how well they know the topics covered,
• take steps to fill in any gaps, misunderstandings or sort out areas of confusion, and
• fully participate in the course and the learning process.  

The Success Strategies Grade allows you to receive credit for active participation and involvement in the course, as well as work habits that help maximize your learning. Consistent work with the material, and establishing a plan that enables you to be regularly engaged with the ideas right from the start can dramatically impact both your understanding of the concepts as well as your grade. Because I value the effort that goes into true learning, I want to give you the opportunity to "showcase" some of this process and have it count towards your semester grade in some accountable way. 

Over the years, I have thoroughly learned that different people need different levels of involvement with different parts and components of the course. Therefore, rather than requiring the same thing from each student, I allow you to "create a buffet style grade".

As you create your Success Strategies grade and become actively engaged in the course, I hope you will find your work much more personally satisfying. In essence, I want to help you see yourself as the center of the learning process. You can become an autonomous, independent thinker, problem solver and creator of new knowledge. These characteristics will take you far!

DCC Home Page J. Halsey’s Home Page