Learning Lab Mission, Scope & Function | Austin Community College District

Mission

The mission of the ACC Learning Labs is to help students become independent and active learners and to achieve academic success. Students are the central focus of the labs, and we are responsive to their individual needs.

We strive to achieve the following common goals

To help students develop positive attitudes towards learning and confidence in their ability to learn
To foster students' personal responsibility and accountability for their own learning
To provide instruction and services that address the cognitive and affective dimensions of learning
To provide a variety of tutoring approaches that are appropriate for the level of skills and learning styles of the students we serve
To introduce students to the culture of higher education and to assist them in transferring skills and strategies they have learned previously
To provide services and resources to faculty and staff that enhance and support classroom instruction and professional development
To support the academic standards and requirements of the college

Scope of Services and General Function

The Learning Labs serve all ACC students, placing emphasis on developmental and under-served students. We provide tutorial services to a diverse student population in an open-access lab setting and through Brainfuse online tutoring.

Modes of delivery include traditional and/or computerized one-on-one and small group tutoring, skills review workshops, guided study groups, and self-paced independent study.

Cooperative Function in Support of Developmental Education

Faculty can conduct the following activities in collaboration with the Learning Labs:

Diagnostic testing
Prescriptive alternative learning
Required lab components
Integral and/or complementary classroom activities
Tutoring assistance for combined classes
Support for fast-track and paired courses
Flex-entry/Flex-exit courses

Collaborative Function in Support of Staff and Faculty

In direct support of faculty and staff, we endeavor

To collaborate with task force leaders and faculty in addressing the learning needs and retention of students
To provide mutual consultation, as needed, on student progress
To provide training and professional development opportunities for tutors and lab assistants
To facilitate on-going academic discourse in and across the disciplines.

Function in Support of the College Mission

The Learning Labs programs support the academic standards and course offerings of the college. The Learning Labs work in partnership with the faculty, staff, and administration in upholding the mission, standards, and requirements of the college. We accomplish this function by

Collaborating on student access, retention and success initiatives and programs
Reviewing the mission of the labs periodically, to reflect changes at the college level.

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http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

Learning Lab Information for Faculty

Accounting

Additional Services

Chemistry

English & Writing Skills

Foreign Languages

Health Sciences

Integrated Reading and Writing (INRW) and Reading-Intensive

Mathematics

Physics & Other Sciences

Student Success & EDUC 1300

TSI Test Preview and Assessment Review

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http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for Accounting Instructors

The purpose of this site is to inform Accounting faculty of the resources available to them and their students at the Learning Labs. The following information is intended to increase faculty awareness of what we offer and of how students might best benefit from visiting the Labs. It is also intended to help increase visits and to improve communication between the faculty and the Labs.

To support Accounting faculty, the Learning Labs are equipped to:

House specific materials (As space allows, teacher-designed materials may be kept in the lab for student use and referral)
Consult with teachers about students’ special concerns
Emphasize certain concepts or problems as per teacher request
Schedule and coordinate study groups

To enhance Learning Lab support, Accounting faculty are encouraged to:

Provide us with a syllabus and a schedule of assignments and tests
Provide students with a copy of the Accounting tutors’ lab hours at the beginning of each semester
Encourage those students who need help to visit the Accounting tutors
Communicate to tutors any unique technique or concept being taught in classroom

The Learning Labs help Accounting students to:

Understand accounting concepts in the class textbook
Understand and help solve homework problems
Understand and implement assignments utilizing accounting software
Brainstorm ideas for annual report projects
Help students focus on appropriate information for annual report projects
Brainstorm ideas for budget projects

Students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Check the accounting website or http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services/tutoring-and-academic-help/tutoring-services-and-schedules to confirm resources and scheduled tutors' lab hours.
Read assignments and attempt problems prior to seeking assistance in the labs.
Bring a copy of the assignment and/or the class syllabus so the tutor knows teacher expectations.
Know that assigned class work is the student’s responsibility; tutors will not complete students’ assignments for them.
Indicate which problem or concept they need help in understanding.
Be prepared to ask specific questions concerning homework problems or accounting concepts.
Understand that Accounting tutors will spend appropriate time with students on a first-come first-served basis.

NOTE: In the Business Area of Study, the Learning Labs may also provide tutoring for other disciplines; however, for Office Administration courses, other ACC tutors provide support in Flex Labs that are separate from the Learning Labs. Flex Lab information and hours of operation are linked to

http://sites.austincc.edu/officeadmin/flex-entry-course-information/flex-lab-hours/

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http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for Additional Services

The ACC Learning Labs are united through a shared domain that gives students consistent access to the same software tutorial programs at all campuses. Through our tutoring and our technology, we strive to help students become independent, active learners and achieve academic success.

In addition to individualized tutoring, group tutoring and specific software tutorials, the ACC Learning Labs provide the following services:

Course Credit Exchange/Course Credit Alternative

After meeting with their Developmental Advisor, students who require special help to meet TSI (Texas Success Initiative) requirements may access lab software resources, to pursue individualized computer-based tutorials. Faculty whose students are mandated to pursue CCE/CCA plans should communicate fully and frequently with the appropriate Learning Lab Manager.

http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services/tutoring-and-academic-help/learning-lab-services/learning-lab-staff

In-Class Assistance

Tutors may be scheduled for specific visits to developmental classes, to provide additional support to students; for example, basic computer skills or study skill overviews may be presented in class, at the request of the faculty

Computer Services and Usage

At all campuses, technology/software help is available through:

Learning Lab software orientation and introductory training for faculty and staff
Orientations to Learning Lab software and to use of computers for individual students and in computer-based classes
Scheduling and coordinating of class lab-components in Learning Labs computer areas
Setting up classes in tutorials, enrolling individual students in tutorials, printing progress reports
Assistance to faculty in completing self-evaluations on-line
Assistance in researching, testing, and evaluating software programs at faculty request
Computer support for students using adaptive equipment and software

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http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for Chemistry Instructors

The purpose of this site is to inform Chemistry faculty of the resources available to them and their students at the Learning Labs. The following information is intended to increase faculty awareness of what we offer and of how students might best benefit from visiting the Labs. It is also intended to help increase student use of the Labs and to improve communication between faculty and the Labs.

NOTE: In the Science, Engineering, and Math Area of Study, at designated campuses, the Learning Labs also provide tutoring for other disciplines, including Biology, Biotechnology, Engineering, Geology, Math, and Physics.

To support Chemistry faculty, the Learning Labs are equipped to:

House specific materials (As space allows, teacher-designed materials may be kept in the lab for student use and referral)
Provide review sessions for exams
Organize study groups for classes

To enhance Learning Lab support, Chemistry faculty are encouraged to:

Provide us with a syllabus and a schedule of assignments and tests
Recommend that students come to the labs for help in chemistry
Meet regularly with tutors to discuss lecture topics and homework
Hold office hours in the labs

The Learning Labs also help students by:

Providing online connections to Chemistry Web sites
Providing computer access for various Chemistry software

The Learning Labs help Chemistry students by:

Working with students on homework assignments—this includes consistently using dimensional analysis in problem solving
Assisting students with understanding lecture topics
Helping students to understand laboratory experiments
Helping with laboratory pre-lab exercises

Students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Bring a copy of the assignment and/or the class syllabus so the tutor knows teacher expectations
Know that assigned class work is the student’s responsibility; tutors will not complete students’ assignments for them
Be prepared to communicate as specifically as possible how they want the tutor to help them

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for English & Writing Skills Instructors

The purpose of this site is to inform English & Writing Skills teachers of the resources available to them and their students at the Learning Labs. The following information is intended to increase faculty awareness of what we offer and of how students might best benefit from visiting us. It is also intended to help increase visits and to improve communication between faculty and the Labs.

NOTE: In the Liberal Arts Area of Study, at designated campuses, the Learning Labs also provide tutoring for other disciplines, including Anthropology, Economics, Foreign Languages, Government, History, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology. In addition, at designated campuses, the Learning Labs provide tutoring for programs in two other Areas of Study, Arts, Digital Media, and Communication (including Art, Business-Government-Technical Communication, Creative Writing, Drama, Journalism, and Radio-Television-Film) and Education (including Child Care and Development).

To support English/Writing Skills faculty, the Learning Labs are equipped to:

House specific materials (As space allows, teacher-designed materials may be kept in the labs for student use/referral.)
Provide study skills workshops (Scheduling requires two-weeks of advance notice.)
Provide basic training in relevant software tutorials
Consult with instructors about students with special concerns
Research, recommend and demonstrate instructional software

To enhance Learning Lab support, English/Writing Skills faculty are encouraged to:

Provide us with a syllabus and a schedule of assignments
Refer students to the Learning Labs with specific requests (See our Writing Referral form, LELA.004.0807.indd)
Award extra credit to at-risk students who utilize lab resources
Collaborate with us to improve student access and success
Ask students to bring a copy of the directions for any assignment for which they want help, so that tutors will know the faculty’s expectations/requirements
Let students know they should ask questions and communicate their concerns to tutors
Remind students that tutors do not copyedit or proofread students’ papers; instead, tutors work with students who then do their own copyediting/proofreading

The Learning Labs can help English/Writing Skills students:

Understand writing assignments
Learn research resources and techniques
Analyze literature
Develop and organize papers logically
Understand and apply the rules of grammar and punctuation
Use documentation and bibliography formats appropriately

The Learning Labs can also assist:

Non-native speakers of English who have difficulty with written assignments
Underprepared students who need to improve study skills (taking notes, annotating texts, reading critically)
Technologically challenged students who need a demonstration of word-processing and/or navigating Internet resources
Students who need additional drill and practice (grammar, mechanics, ESOL) on computers

The Learning Labs offer these English/Writing Skills resources:

Grammar/punctuation handouts and online links
Software programs and tutorials

Students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Bring a copy of the writing assignment so the tutor knows teacher expectations
Know that assigned classwork is the student’s responsibility; tutors do not copyedit or proofread papers
Be prepared to ask the tutor questions and to communicate their concern

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for Foreign Languages Instructors

The purpose of this site is to inform foreign language teachers of the resources available to them and their students in the Learning Labs. The following information is intended to increase faculty awareness of what we offer and of how students might best benefit from visiting the Labs It is also intended to help increase visits and to improve communication between faculty and the Labs.

To support Foreign Languages faculty, the Learning Labs are equipped to:

House specific materials (As space allows, faculty-designed materials may be kept in the labs for student use/referral.)
Provide language skills workshops (Scheduling requires two-weeks of advance notice.)
Provide basic training in relevant software tutorials
Consult with faculty about students with special concerns; provide feedback on students’ progress with software tutorials
Research, recommend and demonstrate instructional software

To enhance Learning Lab support, Foreign Languages faculty are encouraged to:

Provide us with a syllabus and a schedule of assignments
Refer students to the Learning Labs with specific requests; award extra credit to at-risk students who utilize lab resources
Collaborate with us to improve student access and success
Ask students to bring a copy of the directions for any assignment for which they want help, so that tutors will know the faculty’s expectations/requirements
Let students know they should ask questions and communicate their concerns to tutors
Remind students that tutors do not “correct” assignments; instead, tutors work with students so that students can do their own work on assignments

The Learning Labs also offer these resources, for use within the labs:

Bilingual dictionaries
Selected conjugation texts (e.g., 501 French Verbs)

The Learning Labs help students in Foreign Languages:

Understand/review grammar structures
Pronounce, understand sound/spelling correspondences, and practice native-style articulations and rhythms
Learn study skills for language-learning
Recommend online tutorials for additional drill and practice

Students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Bring a copy of the assignment and/or the class syllabus so the tutor knows teacher expectations
Know that assigned class work is the student’s responsibility; tutors will not complete students’ assignments for them.
Be prepared to communicate as specifically as possible how they want the tutor to help them.

NOTE: The Learning Labs also provide tutoring for other disciplines in the Liberal Arts Area of Study.

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http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

Learning Lab Information for Health Sciences Instructors

The purpose of this site is to inform faculty of Nursing, Pharmacology, and other Health Sciences courses about the resources available to them and their students in the ACC Learning Labs. The following information is intended to help us increase student visits to the labs and to improve communication between faculty and the Labs.

To support Health Sciences faculty, the Learning Labs are equipped to:

House course-specific materials including packets of practice tests
Consult with teachers about students’ special concerns
Emphasize certain concepts or problems as per teacher request

To enhance Learning Lab support, Health Sciences faculty are encouraged to:

Provide us with a syllabus and schedule for each course at the beginning of semesters
Provide us with relevant handouts and other learning materials
Refer students who may need one-to-one or special help

The Learning Labs also offer these resources:

Pharmacology handouts developed by ACC Pharmacology faculty (includes practice exams, practice problems, equivalency charts)
Additional books on math for health sciences and on reading and study strategies

The Learning Labs can help Health Sciences students to:

Develop efficient test-taking skills and study strategies for exams
Learn memory strategies to retain information
Improve skills in note-taking, reading texts, studying texts
Learn how to organize text material and notes for studying
Use packets of practice tests to understand the critical reasoning required to answer test questions
Learn how to study in study groups
Understand and apply techniques for writing well-organized papers and research reports
Learn research techniques and resources; use appropriate documentation and bibliography formats
Understand and apply grammar and punctuation rules

The Learning Labs help Health Sciences students develop requisite math skills by:

Providing tutoring in pharmacology math
Helping students understand assignments
Tutoring students in basic fraction and decimal operations
Helping to create strategies for solving word problems; guiding students in use of dimensional analysis
Advertising pharmacology tutoring availability each semester
Advertising pharmacology dosage calculation workshops each semester

The Learning Labs also help students by:

Tutoring non-native speakers of English who need help with reading and writing
Demonstrating word-processing and Internet resources
Providing workshops to classes, at request of faculty, on college success skills (e.g., reading texts, taking notes, taking tests, writing research reports)

Students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Bring a copy of the assignment for which they need help
Bring textbooks and course materials to all tutoring sessions
Be prepared to ask questions

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for Integrated Reading and Writing Instructors

The purpose of this site is to inform INRW (Integrated Reading and Writing) faculty and the faculty of reading-intensive courses (history, government, psychology, sociology) of the resources available to them and their students at the Learning Labs. The following information is intended to increase faculty awareness of what we offer and of how students might best benefit from visiting the Labs. It is also intended to help increase visits and to improve communication between faculty and the Labs.

To support INRW/Reading Intensive faculty, the Learning Labs are equipped to:

House specific materials (As space allows, teacher-designed materials may be kept in the labs for student use/ referral.)
Provide study skills workshops (Scheduling requires two-weeks of advance notice.)
Provide basic training in relevant software tutorials
Consult with faculty about students with special concerns; provide feedback on students’ progress with software tutorials
Research, recommend and demonstrate instructional software
Visit class, to provide a workshop on specific reading skills or study skills

To enhance Learning Lab support, INRW/Reading Intensive faculty are encouraged to:

Provide us with a syllabus and a schedule of assignments
Refer students to the Learning Labs with specific requests; award extra credit to at-risk students who utilize lab resources
Collaborate with us to improve student access and success
Ask students to bring a copy of the directions for any assignment for which they want help, so that tutors will know the faculty’s expectations/requirements
Let students know they should ask questions and communicate their concerns to tutors
Remind students that tutors do not “correct” assignments; instead, tutors work with students so that students can do their own work on assignments

The Learning Labs help INRW/Reading Intensive students to:

Understand reading assignments
Learn strategies for note taking, test taking, and studying
Learn how to create study groups and review sessions
Become familiar with software tutorials
Review for assessment tests
Navigate Internet resources and use word processing

The Learning Labs can also assist:

Non-native speakers of English who have difficulty with academic assignments
Under-prepared students who need to improve study skills (taking notes, annotating texts, reading critically)
Technologically challenged students who need a demonstration of word processing and/or Internet navigating
Students who need additional (online) drill and practice for reading, vocabulary, or other related skills.

Students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Bring a copy of the reading assignment and/or the class syllabus so the tutor knows teacher expectations
Know that assigned class work is the student’s responsibility; tutors will not complete assignments for them
Be prepared to communicate as specifically as possible how they want the tutor to help them.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

Learning Lab Information for Mathematics Instructors

The purpose of this site is to inform Math faculty of the resources available to them and their students at the Learning Labs. The following information is intended to increase faculty awareness of what we offer and of how students might best benefit from visiting the Lab. It is also intended to increase visits and to improve communication between faculty and the Labs.

NOTE: In the Science, Engineering, and Math Area of Study, at designated campuses, the Learning Labs also provide tutoring for other disciplines, including Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, and Physics.

To support Math faculty, the Learning Labs are equipped to:

Assist students with accessing and navigating ALEKS
Provide additional drills and practice according to instructor’s specifications and requests
Provide feedback on students’ progress in the lab

To enhance Learning Lab support, Math faculty are encouraged to:

Meet with their campus’s Learning Lab Manager and the tutoring staff to discuss ways we can serve students; collaborate with us to improve student access and success
Provide us with a syllabus and a schedule of assignments
Visit the labs to see the setups and to learn what resources are available for students
Encourage students to visit us; ask students to bring a copy of the directions for any assignment for which they want help, so that tutors will know faculty’s expectations/requirements
Bring the class to the Lab as a group, at the beginning of the semester, for a brief orientation (staff will present information on signing-in, lab hours, lab resources, etc.)
Refer students to the lab who may need assistance with math skills; communicate the specific areas of concern; let us know if feedback is needed
Share resources with the lab staff, such as information on course requirements, relevant handouts, instructional materials, sample exams for review

The Learning Labs also offer these resources:

Guided study groups and workshops
Review sessions for mid-term and final exams

The Learning Labs help Math students to:

Understand homework assignments
Understand what they missed on tests and homework
Develop organizational skills and strategies for working mathematics problems
Use graphing calculators and other mathematical computer applications
Recommend software for drill, practice, and review
Provide one-on-one and group tutoring
Review sessions for mid-term and final exams
Check the math website for more information

Students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Bring a copy of the math assignment and/or the class syllabus so the tutor knows teacher expectations.
Know that assigned class work is the student’s responsibility; tutors will not complete students’ assignments for them.
Be prepared to communicate as specifically as possible how they want the tutor to help them.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for Physics and Other Sciences Instructors

The purpose of this site is to inform Physics and other Science instructors of the resources available to them and their students at the Learning Labs. The following information is intended to increase faculty awareness of what we offer and of how students might best benefit from visiting us. It is also intended to help increase visits and to improve communication between faculty and the Labs.

To support Physics/Sciences faculty, the Learning Labs are equipped to:

Provide additional drills and practice according to instructor’s specifications and requests
Provide feedback on students’ progress in the lab

To enhance Learning Lab support, faculty are encouraged to:

Meet with the campus’s Learning Lab manager and the tutoring staff to discuss ways we can serve students
Visit the labs to see the setup and to learn what resources are available for ACC students
Encourage students to visit the labs
Refer students who may need assistance; communicate specific areas of concern, and let us know if feedback is needed
Share resources with the lab staff, such as information on course requirements, relevant handouts, instructional materials, sample exams for review

The Learning Labs also offer these resources:

Internet connections to Physics/Sciences web sites
Computer access for various Physics/Sciences online tutorials

The Learning Labs help Physics/Sciences students to:

Solve numerical and conceptual problems
Review for tests
Document lab write-ups correctly
Review remedial and advanced math training
Access online connections to Physics/Sciences websites

Students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Bring a copy of the assignment and/or the class syllabus so the tutor knows teacher expectations
Know that assigned class work is the student’s responsibility; tutors will not complete students’ assignments for them.
Be prepared to communicate as specifically as possible how they want the tutor to help them.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for TSI Test Preview and Assessment Review

To help students prepare for Assessment testing, the Learning Labs:

Provide individualized tutoring on a drop-in basis for the TSI assessment test
Inform students of practice tests for the TSI and the ACC Assessments

Students who visit the Learning Labs for Assessment Preparation need to:

Know that tutoring labs are available at every campus and are open when ACC classes are in session; students can go to any learning lab to prepare for assessment testing
Invest extra time to acquire the skills they need to be successful with the TSI test, or other ACC assessment tests
Understand that tutors are not teachers; tutors work with students, as a complement to students’ own efforts
Come prepared with specific questions so that tutors are able to help students target particular skills they may need to review and determine where to focus their study efforts.
Become familiar with assessment resources available online and through other ACC services

The Learning Labs also offer these resources:

Links to online assessment preparation resources for TSI and other assessment/placement tests

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http://www.austincc.edu/facstaff/guide-to-services/information-by-discipline

LeLa Information for Student Success Instructors

To help students who are entering college for the first time, returning after an extended absence, having difficulty with their studies, or wanting to get the most out of their efforts, the Learning Labs:

Provide study skills workshops (Scheduling requires two-weeks of advance notice.)
Provide help with accessing and navigating in relevant software/online tutorials
Consult with faculty about students with special concerns; provide feedback on students’ progress
Visit class, to provide a workshop on specific reading skills or study skills

To enhance Learning Lab support, EDUC 1300/Student Success faculty are encouraged to:

Provide us with a syllabus and a schedule of assignments
Refer students to the Learning Labs with specific requests; award extra credit to at-risk students who utilize lab resources
Collaborate with us to improve student access and success
Ask students to bring a copy of the directions for any assignment for which they want help, so that tutors will know the faculty’s expectations/requirements
Let students know they should ask questions and communicate their concerns to tutors
Remind students that tutors do not “correct” assignments; instead, tutors work with students so that students can do their own work on assignments

The Learning Labs can help EDUC 1300/Student Success students to:

Understand assignments
Learn strategies for note taking, test taking, and studying
Learn how to create study groups and review sessions
Become familiar with software tutorials
Navigate Internet resources and use word processing

EDUC 1300/Student Success students who visit the Learning Labs need to:

Know that Learning Labs are available at every campus and are open when ACC classes are in session
Invest extra time to acquire the skills they need to be successful with their studies
Understand that Learning Lab tutors are not teachers; tutors work with students, as a complement to students’ own efforts
Come prepared with specific questions so that tutors are able to help focus students’ efforts.