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Learning Success Guide: Strategies for Thinking, Learning, and Writing

Everyone learns differently. Use this site to explore new ways to learn. Try everything you can. Keep what works; change what doesn't.

Introduction: Learning Success Center

Introduction: Strategies for Learning Success 

At the MWCC Learning Success Center, we envision a physical and digital space where you, the student, are empowered to become an agent in your own learning. All of these services we mention are free if you are a current MWCC student!

  In the MWCC Learning Success Center, you will

  • discover new styles and strategies for learning,
  • apply new learning styles and strategies to content, and
  • reflect on how those discoveries and applications expand your ability to learn more.

WCOnline will help you connect with our MWCC Staff; ThinkingStorm is an online third-party system for when we aren't available to help.

WCOnline (http://mwcc.mywconline.com and accessible through iConnect) is our MWCC Learning Success staff scheduling system. Please go there and register, then set an appointment with any of our consultants in Gardner, Leominster, or online. Be sure to use the "Display Options" menus at the top of the schedule so you can select a staff member in the best subject area that best fits your need. Slots are a half-hour long, but you are welcome to walk-in early and stay late--even if you don't have an appointment. We will assist you as opportunity arises, even outside of your timeslot, when possible. To learn more about WCOnline, click on the link; for more specific instructions on registration and scheduling appointments, visit the "WCOnline" tab above.

Do you need assistance when we are not available? Use ThinkingStorm. This is a third-party service where you can get assistance with homework. It's available to you in the "Course Tools" menu of your course Blackboard page. For more information, visit the "24/7 Learning Option: ThinkingStorm" tab above.

Which option is best for you?

Our Learning Consultants are trained to focus on you as a learner using Growth Mindset and Universal Design for Learning. We want to know who you are and what your experiences are in a more hands on way to be more effective in support of your needs. We not only help with courses, but we can help you grow learning skills and strategies, and we've probably seen your assignments before, since we work with MWCC faculty members. If you want a more personal approach to learning that fits your needs, reach us through WCOnline.

When you are looking for help beyond our scheduled availability, need quick feedback, and/or don't have time to focus on growing your skills and strategies, ThinkingStorm may be a faster, less personal option. A word of caution: we have no input or control over how ThinkingStorm tutors operate or their pedagogical approach. Because they are a third-party company, they are not going to be versed in your specific assignments or familiar with your faculty.

College success begins with learning how to be a learner and maximizing your learning strategies to make the best use of your time. Strong learners

  • organize their resources and knowledge through calendars, active reading, and note-taking activities;
  • exercise a range of learning styles (visual, auditory, reading, and kinesthetic) and use them in conjunction with each other to learn different types of content;
  • employ an adaptable approach to learning, exchanging old strategies that don't work for new ones, changing strategies to increase their effectiveness; and above all
  • believe that anything can be learned if they have strategies and approaches that work.

 You can learn to be a successful learner, and the tools and resources here will help you on that path!

 

Learning is an ongoing process ... and so is this site.

We have a lot of information here already, but we know there's always more to find, share, and learn. If you think of something we should try and find, create, and share, or if you would like to contribute your own materials, please contact the Learning Success Center at lsc@mwcc.mass.edu, or stop by the Center. We're located in LaChance Library.

Consultation Details

We offer face-to-face consultations in math, writing, and select other subjects in LaChance Library (Gardner Campus) and L201 (Leominster Campus). We also have Zoom options.

  • Sessions may be 1:1, group, or round robin (consultant move among students) based on discipline or traffic.
  • Pre-schedule your session by email at lsc@mwcc.mass.edu, or call 978-630-9333. Leave a detailed message with your name, student ID, consultant or discipline, and days and times you are available based on the Google Calendar below

Please provide at least 48 hours prior notification. Not all subjects are available at all times.

If you need assistance at a time when we are unable to offer service, please use ThinkingStorm, available through any course BlackBoard site. Video Instructions for access are provided on the next tab.

 

Current Schedule

To view the schedule, please go to WCOnline (http://mwcc.mywconline.com and accessible through iConnect). Slots are a half-hour long, but you are welcome to walk-in early and stay late--even if you don't have an appointment. We will assist you as opportunity arises, even outside of your timeslot, when possible.

 

 

Register in WCOnline: Our Scheduling and Reporting System

WCOnline (http://mwcc.mywconline.com and accessible through iConnect) is our scheduling system. Please go there or scan the QR code below and register, then set an appointment with any of our consultants in Gardner, Leominster, or online. Slots are a half-hour long, but you are welcome to walk-in early and stay late--even if you don't have an appointment. We will assist you as opportunity arises, even outside of your timeslot, when possible.

If you need assistance at a time when we are unable to offer service, please use ThinkingStorm, available through the "Tools" option on any course BlackBoard site. Video instructions for access are provided on the next tab.

WCOnline QR Code:

WCOnline Tutorials (Video, Audio, Transcript Formats)

Accessing WCOnline
Registering in WCOnline
Setting Appointments in WCOnline
Entering CRFS in WCOnline (Staff Only)
Setting Blackouts in WCOnline (Staff Only)
Additional WCOnline Features (Staff Only)
MWCC WCOnline User Guide

Accessing WC Online Video

When You Want to Talk about Learning After Hours ...

ThinkingStorm is an alternative to MWCC Learning consultations. If the Learning Success Center does not have a consultant for the subject matter needed, or if you want to talk about learning after hours, ThinkingStorm is your go-to! It is accessible through all course BlackBoard pages under "Course Tools". Below are videos with more detailed instructions on accessing ThinkingStorm and setting up a live virtual appointment! 

How to reserve an appointment: 

Drop-In Appointments:

Whiteboard Tutorial:

   

Writing Center Overview:

 

Grit, Growth Mindset, and Universal Design for Learning

Three major concepts and theories drive the work we do: Grit, Growth Mindset, and Universal Design for Learning. We can apply these principles in nearly any learning interaction to help most students develop strategies for learning and content knowledge.

Here are two TED Talks that discuss Growth Mindset. In the first video (6:12), Angela Duckworth explains the concept of Grit as a feature of success that is perhaps more important than IQ or income, tying it to the one potentially good way of developing grit--Growth Mindset. Second, Carol Dweck explains Growth Mindset in a 9:37 video.

Now that you understand the approach we think everyone should take, here's a bit about Universal Design for Learning. These videos, each at approximately 2:30, give you a basic overview.

For your learning consultation, our staff will want to know how you learn best--what approaches, styles, and activities you like to use or do--so that we can tailor our time together to best suit you.

LSC Slides

Slides you will see at the LSC when coming to visit!

Become a Learning Consultant!

It may seem like semantics, but there’s a big difference between how people think of tutors as opposed to consultants.

Perceptions of "Tutor" vs. "Learning Consultant"
Perceptions of "Tutor" Reality of "Consultant"
People may think tutors are experts, much like their course instructors. Consultants help you learn how to learn, but they do not have the final word on any activity or assignment—they are not your course instructor.
People may think tutors are "in charge" of learning. Consultants are not in charge of your learning—you are
People may resist working with a tutor because it feels like they have a deficiency, like something is wrong.  Consultants are like sounding boards, not like mechanics or doctors. They provide feedback on ideas, prompt you to push and question further, and help you learn more about how to learn, but there is nothing about you that is broken or in need of fixing when it comes to learning. There is learning, and applying what you learn.
None of the above statements are true, but culturally, it’s what people often expect. For that reason, we use the term Consultant or Learning Consultant.  

Everyone learns different materials at different speeds. We all have different tools and strategies and can always learn more. We all need other learners to help us understand what we are doing and how we can grow, whether we are satisfied or dissatisfied with our work.

Mount Wachusett Community College Learning Success Center is looking for students who want to become Learning Consultants. Apply below:

  • Paraprofessional Learning Consultant: Applicants who have not yet completed a bachelor's degree should apply here. Note that a 3.0 minimum GPA and completion of 12 college credits is required. Apply here.

Contact the Learning Success Center to discuss this opportunity further.

Helpful information:

  • Paraprofessional Learning Consultant are “open pool” positions, which means you can apply at any time and when a new consultant is needed, we will review the pool and interview qualified applicants.
  • Consultants start at about 4-6 hours/week for the first semester of employment, but then may go up to 10-15 hours a week.
  • Consultants are often employed in other areas of the college as well.
  • Current MWCC students are permitted to use this form to obtain faculty references.

Get Involved

A great way to build your own learning community beyond the LSC is to engage the larger MWCC campus community.

  • Get involved in a club or activity and get to know folks with similar interests and hobbies. Check out the Student Life website.
  • Add Service Learning to your resume and meet others with similar commitments via the Brewer Center.

 

You're Not Alone

Sometimes life gets in the way and you just need to talk with someone who can help.

  • Contact Counseling Services.
  • Call the 24/7 Support Line at 833-434-1217 or visit bewellthemount.com
  • Call the National Emergency Mental Health Line: 988
  • Call Campus Police: On campus call 1111; Off campus call 978-630-9111

Please CONTACT US if you have questions.