The Academic Achievement Center

More from Study Hacks on Achievement

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:52:00 +0000

Here is a link to another interesting article on the Study Hacks blog:

Study Hacks: "If Your're Busy Your're Doing Something Wrong"

Once again, the important point is this: it is not the amount of effort, but rather well-directed effort that determines success. Effort is the essential first step, but no amount of time spent on a task can overcome bad study strategies.

A point I would question is the implied value of "marathon" practice. The article states that 3.5 hours of practice a day, divided into two sessions, is enough for the elite achievers. While this may work for musicians (the subject of the article), I think this ignores the value of distributed practice-- studying several times a day, every day, but in short, directed sessions.

And again in this context I define studying as practicing the recall of information. This is a different activity from extracting new information through reading a textbook, attending class, or completing homework assignments, which does require significant blocks of time.

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How to Get the Most Out of Studying Video Series

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:04:00 +0000

A colleague sent me a link to a series of videos created by a cognitive psychologist at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

These videos are excellent because they focus on the mental activities necessary to learn something. Most students equate studying with "looking at something." This means mindlessly re-reading the textbook or their classroom notes over and over.

Studying really means engaging with and manipulating the content mentally so that new connections are made within the brain. While there are various ways to do this, the tried and true way is the "grunt" work of self-testing.

Cover up the notes and textbook pages and ask yourself a question about the topic. Then try to answer it verbally. Check your answer against your notes. Did you get it? No? Then do it again. And again... And again... And again... until you have perfect recall of the information.

Then do it all over again with another question. It's tedious. It's hard work. That's studying.

But it can also be rewarding. With mastery comes achievement and with achievement comes a buoyant feeling. "I did it!" "I really know this stuff!"

While all of the episodes are valuable, the most significant are Episodes 2, 3, and 4.

How to Get the Most Out of Studying

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Enrollment Information for AAC Classes

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:25:00 +0000

If you are interested in enrolling in an AAC class for the Spring 2012 semester, please follow this hyperlink for detailed information:

General Information for Prospective Students

If you are interested in our AAC 130 Medical Terminology class, please follow this link to some important information:

About AAC 130 Medical Terminology

If you have additional questions after reading or listening to this information, please contact Jeff Merritt via email: jmerritt@jccc.edu

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Late Start AAC Classes

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:28:00 +0000

Students enrolled in AAC 100-701 Study Skills or AAC 120-701 Individualized Study must visit the AAC this week for an orientation session. For details check your JCCC student email account.

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Study Tip #5: Perform an "autopsy" of graded tests to determine the source of each error. Use this to better prepare for the next test.

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:20:00 +0000

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Study Tip #4: Plan frequent review sessions. Have you reviewed everything you've covered in your classes since August 22?

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:10:00 +0000

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The case method of avoiding procrastination: Find someone successful to emulate. http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/07/30/from-to-do-to-will-do-using-the-case-method-to-defeat-procrastination/

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:15:00 +0000

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The best students aren't the most busy; they are the most focused. http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/07/25/i-dont-know-another-science-student-less-stressed-than-me-a-case-for-simplicity/

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:52:00 +0000

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jmerritt@jccc.edu sent you a link to content of interest

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:50:00 +0000

jmerritt@jccc.edu sent you a link to the following content:

The Procrastinating Caveman: What Human Evolution Teaches Us About Why We Put Off Work and How to Stop
http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/07/10/the-procrastinating-caveman-what-human-...

The sender also included this note:

An interesting perspective on procrastination

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New AAC Students: Check Your JCCC Email for Class Information

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:56:00 +0000

All JCCC students have student email accounts, but you need to activate your account by logging into MyJCCC. On the left-hand menu you should find a link "Activate your Google Account"

Your stumail account will be the primary way the college communicates with you.

Classes start next Monday June 6. You should now have an email from The Academic Achievement Center explaining how to get started in your class.

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Medical Terminology Update Summer 2011

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:09:00 +0000

Updated information about AAC 130 Medical Terminology for the Summer and Fall 2011 semesters

Medical_Terminology_Update_Summer_2011.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Medical_Terminology_Update_Summer_2011.pdf Download this file

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General Information for Prospective Students Summer 2011

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:07:00 +0000

Updated general information about the AAC for the Summer and Fall 2011 semesters

General_Information_for_Prospective_Students_Summer_2011.mp3 Listen on Posterous

General_Information_for_Prospective_Students_Summer_2011.pdf Download this file

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Last Day to Withdraw from an AAC Class is April 15

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Only five (5) weeks remain in the AAC semester. The last day to withdraw is next Friday April 15.

AAC students should have received a progress note from an AAC instructor in their folders as well as an email in their JCCC stumail accounts.

If you have any questions about your status in your course, please contact an AAC instructor or Jeff Merritt, the AAC Facilitator.

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Spring Break Hours

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:58:00 +0000

The AAC will be closed Monday March 14 - Saturday March 19 for Spring Break. (The AAC is always closed on Sundays).

The AAC will be open Saturday March 12 as usual from 9:00 - 1:00.

The AAC will then be closed until Monday March 21 when classes resume at the end of Spring Break.

This marks the halfway point of the semester, so all AAC students should complete 50% of their test and hour requirements by Saturday March 12.

AAC 130 students should complete Chapter 7 by Saturday March 12.

AAC 102 students should complete their Mid-Term exams by Saturday March 12.

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Spring 2011 Study Skills Series Begins Monday

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:16:00 +0000

The AAC / Reading Faculty will once again be presenting a series of study skills workshops this semester in COM 319. The first installment, "Basics for Success" will be on Monday January 31 at 1:00 pm.

Here is the complete schedule:

"Basics for Success'
Monday January 31
1:00 - 2:00 pm

"Nifty Note-Taking and Timely Textbook Strategies"
Wednesday February 16
12:00 - 1:00 pm

"What's Your Style? Learning Styles Revealed!"
Thursday March 3
12:00 - 1:00 pm

"Tactics for Tests"
Thursday March 24
12:30 - 1:30 pm

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Nifty Notetaking and Timely Textbook Strategies

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:51:00 +0000

In case you couldn't attend yesterdays workshop, here is a podcast of Nifty Notetaking and Timely Textbook Strategies" along with PDF files of the handouts. Follow along with the handouts as you listen.

Download now or listen on posterous

Nifty_Notetaking_and_Timely_Textbook_Strategies.m4a (22465 KB)

Download now or preview on posterous

nifty_notetaking_handouts.pdf (204 KB)

Download now or preview on posterous

Notetaking.PDF (119 KB)

Download now or preview on posterous

ReadingProcess.PDF (33 KB)

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How to Obtain Instructor Permission to Enroll in AAC 121-700

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:16:00 +0000

The AAC is offering a late-start section of AAC 121 Individualized Study (2 credits) that will officially begin on September 13.

Enrollment requires instructor permission. To obtain instructor permission, please stop by the AAC in LIB 227 for a short meeting with Jeff Merritt, The Facilitator. He is available during the hours listed below:

8:00 am - 4:00 pm Mon - Wed.

2:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday

8:00 am - 2:00 pm Friday

You are encouraged to listen to the general information podcast for details about how AAC classes work. Follow the link in the menu on the left-hand side of this page.

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Medical Terminology Update Fall 2010

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:24:00 +0000

This podcast episode contains updated information about AAC 130 Medical Terminology for students enrolling in the Fall 2010 semester.

Download now or listen on posterous

Medical_Terminology_Update_Fall_2010.mp3 (7477 KB)

Download now or preview on posterous

Medical_Terminology_Update_Fall_2010.pdf (69 KB)

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Medical Terminology Update Summer 2010

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Fri, 28 May 2010 15:51:00 +0000

Textbooks

I have received many questions about the textbook.  As of the Fall 2009 semester, we have been using the 6th edition of Medical Terminology for the Health Professions by Ehrlich.  Copies of the 5th edition available at a substantially cheaper price; however, you should resist the temptation to purchase the older edition.

Our tests are based on the 6th edition and there are some subtle changes that may cause you to miss a few points on tests if you use the 5th edition.  The  6th edition includes new terms that are not in the 5th edition.  In some cases the definitions of terms have been clarified or changed, and finally, there are terms in the 5th edition that are not in the 6th edition.

You are welcome to purchase a used 6th edition text.  It probably will be missing its CD-ROM, but we have the software installed on the AAC computers for your use.  To save money, you may also consider subscribing to the e-textbook   http://www.coursesmart.com/9781418072520 You will have the use of the textbook for 180 days.  It is available in web-only and downloadable versions.

Orientations

In the past, we have scheduled group orientations for medical terminology.  Due to the high volume of students, some of these groups have become larger than we can accommodate.  This semester we are going to try individual orientations on a first come, first-served basis.  During busy periods, you may need to wait before starting your orientation or come back at a later time.

You may drop in for an orientation between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm Monday-Thursday.

Download now or listen on posterous

about_AAC_130.mp3 (6327 KB)

Download now or preview on posterous

About_AAC_130_Medical_Terminology.pdf (42 KB)

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One Week Left to Earn Study Hours

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:36:00 +0000

Students only have 1 week left to acquire study hours for the spring
2010 semester. The deadline is Monday May 10 at 8:00 p.m.

Remember the number of study hours will be the first determining
factor in your grade, regardless of your test average. You need 20 hours for a C, 25 hours for a B, and 30 hours for an A per credit hour.

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Images from the Heartland CRLA Conference

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:25:00 +0000

The conference was hosted by Northeastern State University
in Tahlequah, OK

Our hosts: Monique Idoux (left) and Kendra Haggard (right)
Kendra is the Director of Writing Enhancement and the President-elect of HCRLA.
They organized an excellent conference.

Peer Learning Assistants from The University of Oklahoma
gave a panel presentation on UC Action Action Centers
and Action Tutoring.

AAC Faculty are Heading to the Heartland CRLA Conference

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:13:00 +0000

Tomorrow and Friday, April 8-9 you may see some different faces in the
AAC. Some of the faculty members will be attending the Spring
Conference of the Heartland Chapter of the College Reading and
Learning Association (CRLA). Our faculty are very active in the
association. Six of the Seven full-time faculty members will be
giving presentations, and Linda Creason is the current Chapter
President while Jeff Merritt is the Chapter Secretary.

We hope to bring back some great new ideas for teaching and learning.

Jeff Merritt
AAC Facilitator

The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you.

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Remaining Chapter 10 Medical Terminology podcasts are now available

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:25:00 +0000

The following additional episodes are now available:

Chapter 10 Part 05 Mental Health

Chapter 10 Part 06 Procedures

No further episodes are available at this time. If possible, some "quick and dirty" episodes may be posted, but time will not permit the production of any additional "polished" episodes with titles or video.

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More Medical Terminology Podcasts Now Available

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:52:00 +0000

The following Medical Terminology Podcast episodes are now available on iTunesU:

Chapter 10 Part 01 Word Parts

Chapter 10 Part 02 Anatomy

Chapter 10 Part 03 CNS Pathologies

Chapter 10 Part 04 PNS Pathologies

Parts 5 and 6 will be available soon.

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Spring Break Hours

jmerritt@jccc.net (Jeff Merritt) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:09:00 +0000

The AAC will be open this Saturday, March 13. We will then close for Spring Break until Monday March 22.

Have a good Spring Break!

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