Author: Tara Diehl
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 153
Book Description
As an official publication of the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA), The Learning Assistance Review (TLAR) seeks to foster communication among higher education learning center professionals. Its audience includes learning center administrators, teaching staff, and professional or student worker tutors, consultants, mentors, and faculty members and administrators who are interested in improving the learning skills of post-secondary students. NCLCA defines a learning center at institutions of higher education as interactive, academic spaces that exist to reinforce and extend student learning in physical and/or virtual environments. A variety of comprehensive support services and programs are offered in these environments to enhance student academic success, retention, and completion rates by apply best practices, student learning theories, and addressing student-learning needs from multiple pedagogical perspectives. Staffed by professionals, paraprofessionals, faculty, and/or trained student educators, learning centers are designed to reinforce the holistic academic growth of students by fostering critical thinking, metacognitive development, and academic personal success.TLAR aims to publish scholarly articles and reviews that address issues of interest to a broad range of academic professionals. Primary consideration will be given to articles about program design and evaluation, classroom-based research, the application of theory and research to practice, innovative teaching strategies, student assessment, and other topics that bridge the gaps within our diverse and growing profession.The journal is published twice a year. All submissions are subject to a masked, double-blind review process. Administrators use their published work to continue the growth and development of the learning commons space on campus, while faculty may use their publications toward promotion and tenure at institutions where student success initiatives are rewarded as part of the process.
The Learning Assistance Review
Author: Tara Diehl
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 153
Book Description
As an official publication of the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA), The Learning Assistance Review (TLAR) seeks to foster communication among higher education learning center professionals. Its audience includes learning center administrators, teaching staff, and professional or student worker tutors, consultants, mentors, and faculty members and administrators who are interested in improving the learning skills of post-secondary students. NCLCA defines a learning center at institutions of higher education as interactive, academic spaces that exist to reinforce and extend student learning in physical and/or virtual environments. A variety of comprehensive support services and programs are offered in these environments to enhance student academic success, retention, and completion rates by apply best practices, student learning theories, and addressing student-learning needs from multiple pedagogical perspectives. Staffed by professionals, paraprofessionals, faculty, and/or trained student educators, learning centers are designed to reinforce the holistic academic growth of students by fostering critical thinking, metacognitive development, and academic personal success.TLAR aims to publish scholarly articles and reviews that address issues of interest to a broad range of academic professionals. Primary consideration will be given to articles about program design and evaluation, classroom-based research, the application of theory and research to practice, innovative teaching strategies, student assessment, and other topics that bridge the gaps within our diverse and growing profession.The journal is published twice a year. All submissions are subject to a masked, double-blind review process. Administrators use their published work to continue the growth and development of the learning commons space on campus, while faculty may use their publications toward promotion and tenure at institutions where student success initiatives are rewarded as part of the process.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 153
Book Description
As an official publication of the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA), The Learning Assistance Review (TLAR) seeks to foster communication among higher education learning center professionals. Its audience includes learning center administrators, teaching staff, and professional or student worker tutors, consultants, mentors, and faculty members and administrators who are interested in improving the learning skills of post-secondary students. NCLCA defines a learning center at institutions of higher education as interactive, academic spaces that exist to reinforce and extend student learning in physical and/or virtual environments. A variety of comprehensive support services and programs are offered in these environments to enhance student academic success, retention, and completion rates by apply best practices, student learning theories, and addressing student-learning needs from multiple pedagogical perspectives. Staffed by professionals, paraprofessionals, faculty, and/or trained student educators, learning centers are designed to reinforce the holistic academic growth of students by fostering critical thinking, metacognitive development, and academic personal success.TLAR aims to publish scholarly articles and reviews that address issues of interest to a broad range of academic professionals. Primary consideration will be given to articles about program design and evaluation, classroom-based research, the application of theory and research to practice, innovative teaching strategies, student assessment, and other topics that bridge the gaps within our diverse and growing profession.The journal is published twice a year. All submissions are subject to a masked, double-blind review process. Administrators use their published work to continue the growth and development of the learning commons space on campus, while faculty may use their publications toward promotion and tenure at institutions where student success initiatives are rewarded as part of the process.
Starting a Learning Assistance Center
Author: Frank L. Christ
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 138
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 138
Book Description
Learning Through Serving
Author: Christine M. Cress
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000980618
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 382
Book Description
This substantially expanded new edition of this widely-used and acclaimed text maintains the objectives and tenets of the first. It is designed to help students understand and reflect on their community service experiences both as individuals and as citizens of communities in need of their compassionate expertise. It is designed to assist faculty in facilitating student development of compassionate expertise through the context of service in applying disciplinary knowledge to community issues and challenges. In sum, the book is about how to make academic sense of civic service in preparing for roles as future citizen leaders. Each chapter has been developed to be read and reviewed, in sequence, over the term of a service-learning course. Students in a semester course might read just one chapter each week, while those in a quarter-term course might need to read one to two chapters per week. The chapters are intentionally short, averaging 8 to 14 pages, so they do not interfere with other course content reading. This edition presents four new chapters on Mentoring, Leadership, Becoming a Change Agent, and Short-Term Immersive and Global Service-Learning experiences. The authors have also revised the original chapters to more fully address issues of social justice, privilege/power, diversity, intercultural communication, and technology; have added more disciplinary examples; incorporated additional academic content for understanding service-learning issues (e.g., attribution theory); and cover issues related to students with disabilities, and international students. This text is a student-friendly, self-directed guide to service-learning that: Develops the skills needed to succeed Clearly links service-learning to the learning goals of the course Combines self-study and peer-study workbook formats with activities that can be incorporated in class, to give teachers maximum flexibility in structuring their service-learning courses Promotes independent and collaborative learning Equally suitable for courses of a few weeks’ or a few months’ duration Shows students how to assess progress and communicate end-results Written for students participating in service learning as a class, but also suitable for students working individually on a project. Instructor's Manual This Instructor Manual discusses the following six key areas for aligning your course with use of Learning through Serving, whether you teach a senior-level high school class, freshman studies course, or a college capstone class: 1. Course and syllabus design 2. Community-partner collaboration 3. Creating class community 4. Strategic teaching techniques 5. Developing intercultural competence 6. Impact assessment
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000980618
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 382
Book Description
This substantially expanded new edition of this widely-used and acclaimed text maintains the objectives and tenets of the first. It is designed to help students understand and reflect on their community service experiences both as individuals and as citizens of communities in need of their compassionate expertise. It is designed to assist faculty in facilitating student development of compassionate expertise through the context of service in applying disciplinary knowledge to community issues and challenges. In sum, the book is about how to make academic sense of civic service in preparing for roles as future citizen leaders. Each chapter has been developed to be read and reviewed, in sequence, over the term of a service-learning course. Students in a semester course might read just one chapter each week, while those in a quarter-term course might need to read one to two chapters per week. The chapters are intentionally short, averaging 8 to 14 pages, so they do not interfere with other course content reading. This edition presents four new chapters on Mentoring, Leadership, Becoming a Change Agent, and Short-Term Immersive and Global Service-Learning experiences. The authors have also revised the original chapters to more fully address issues of social justice, privilege/power, diversity, intercultural communication, and technology; have added more disciplinary examples; incorporated additional academic content for understanding service-learning issues (e.g., attribution theory); and cover issues related to students with disabilities, and international students. This text is a student-friendly, self-directed guide to service-learning that: Develops the skills needed to succeed Clearly links service-learning to the learning goals of the course Combines self-study and peer-study workbook formats with activities that can be incorporated in class, to give teachers maximum flexibility in structuring their service-learning courses Promotes independent and collaborative learning Equally suitable for courses of a few weeks’ or a few months’ duration Shows students how to assess progress and communicate end-results Written for students participating in service learning as a class, but also suitable for students working individually on a project. Instructor's Manual This Instructor Manual discusses the following six key areas for aligning your course with use of Learning through Serving, whether you teach a senior-level high school class, freshman studies course, or a college capstone class: 1. Course and syllabus design 2. Community-partner collaboration 3. Creating class community 4. Strategic teaching techniques 5. Developing intercultural competence 6. Impact assessment
Cases on Higher Education Spaces: Innovation, Collaboration, and Technology
Author: Carpenter, Russell G.
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1466627042
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 460
Book Description
Higher education spaces are undergoing radical transformations in an attempt to respond to the needs of 21st-century learners and a renewed interest in collaboration that spans beyond the walls of departments, colleges, and libraries. Cases on Higher Education Spaces: Innovation, Collaboration, and Technology highlights key innovations and collaborative ventures in space design from across campuses and institutions. Including writing and communication centers, studios, libraries, digital media labs, learning commons, and academic learning spaces, this collection is ideally suited for university and professional administrators.
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1466627042
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 460
Book Description
Higher education spaces are undergoing radical transformations in an attempt to respond to the needs of 21st-century learners and a renewed interest in collaboration that spans beyond the walls of departments, colleges, and libraries. Cases on Higher Education Spaces: Innovation, Collaboration, and Technology highlights key innovations and collaborative ventures in space design from across campuses and institutions. Including writing and communication centers, studios, libraries, digital media labs, learning commons, and academic learning spaces, this collection is ideally suited for university and professional administrators.
The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Learning Center Administration
Author: Daniel R. Sanford
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1538154633
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 195
Book Description
The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Learning Center Administration is a comprehensive guide to everything that both new and experienced learning center professionals need to know in order to deliver impactful, effective services for the campuses they serve, articulate the value of the programs they oversee, and provide peer tutors with the conditions for success. The companion to the popular Rowman & Littlefield Guide for Peer Tutors, The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Learning Center Administration provides a thorough and readable overview of both theoretical considerations (the historical context of learning centers in higher education, an articulation of the principles that underlie peer tutoring programs, and a cataloging of the various extant forms of peer-led learning) and organizational concerns (building a suite of programming, hiring and training student employees, program assessment, campus outreach, marketing, reporting) in the administration of peer tutoring programs in higher education. The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Learning Center Administration presents a structured approach that is firmly grounded in empirical findings from across the literature of teaching, learning, and student success, and it articulates a set of best practices that can be used as a guide in evaluation and assessment for learning centers.
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1538154633
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 195
Book Description
The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Learning Center Administration is a comprehensive guide to everything that both new and experienced learning center professionals need to know in order to deliver impactful, effective services for the campuses they serve, articulate the value of the programs they oversee, and provide peer tutors with the conditions for success. The companion to the popular Rowman & Littlefield Guide for Peer Tutors, The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Learning Center Administration provides a thorough and readable overview of both theoretical considerations (the historical context of learning centers in higher education, an articulation of the principles that underlie peer tutoring programs, and a cataloging of the various extant forms of peer-led learning) and organizational concerns (building a suite of programming, hiring and training student employees, program assessment, campus outreach, marketing, reporting) in the administration of peer tutoring programs in higher education. The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Learning Center Administration presents a structured approach that is firmly grounded in empirical findings from across the literature of teaching, learning, and student success, and it articulates a set of best practices that can be used as a guide in evaluation and assessment for learning centers.
Partners for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
Author: Sharon L. Silverman
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595350674
Category : Active learning
Languages : en
Pages : 102
Book Description
Partners for Innovation in Teaching and Learning: A Shared Responsibility highlights the work of six creative and innovative teachers who developed learner-centered environments in their classrooms. Educational consultants, Sharon Silverman and Martha Casazza, worked with these teachers from the College of Professional Studies at New Jersey City University where they developed a forum on excellence in teaching and learning. The results are showcased with a focus on connecting theory and research to educational practice. The theme of shared responsibility for learning is presented throughout. Some examples include: Developing teacher-student partnerships to create a course syllabus Using questions as a way to promote active participation Building community in the online classroom Using emotions and thoughts as a basis for learning Creating a new approach that reflects problem-based learning, learning communities and collaborative learning The ideas presented are unique and engaging. They stimulate others to take risks and embrace innovation. Challenges and successes are shared to show that implementing new teaching ideas can be both daunting and very rewarding.
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595350674
Category : Active learning
Languages : en
Pages : 102
Book Description
Partners for Innovation in Teaching and Learning: A Shared Responsibility highlights the work of six creative and innovative teachers who developed learner-centered environments in their classrooms. Educational consultants, Sharon Silverman and Martha Casazza, worked with these teachers from the College of Professional Studies at New Jersey City University where they developed a forum on excellence in teaching and learning. The results are showcased with a focus on connecting theory and research to educational practice. The theme of shared responsibility for learning is presented throughout. Some examples include: Developing teacher-student partnerships to create a course syllabus Using questions as a way to promote active participation Building community in the online classroom Using emotions and thoughts as a basis for learning Creating a new approach that reflects problem-based learning, learning communities and collaborative learning The ideas presented are unique and engaging. They stimulate others to take risks and embrace innovation. Challenges and successes are shared to show that implementing new teaching ideas can be both daunting and very rewarding.
Handbook of Research on Barriers for Teaching 21st-Century Competencies and the Impact of Digitalization
Author: Dhir, Harpreet Kaur
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1799869695
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 468
Book Description
The need to develop 21st-century competencies has received global recognition, but instructional methods have not been reformed to include the teaching of these skills. Multiple frameworks include creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration as the foundational competencies. Complexities of planning curriculum and delivering instruction to develop the foundational competencies requires professional training. However, despite training, instructional practice can be impacted by barriers caused by personal views of teachers, economic constraints, access to resources, social challenges, pandemic, overwhelming pace of global shifts, and other influences. With digitalization entering the field of education, it is unclear if technology has helped in removing or eliminating the barriers or has, itself, become another obstruction in integrating the competencies. Gaining an educator's perspective is essential to understanding the barriers as well as solutions to mitigate the impediments through innovative instructional methods being practiced across the globe via digital or non-digital platforms. The need for original contributions from educators exists in this area of barriers to 21st-century education and the role of digitalization. The Handbook of Research on Barriers for Teaching 21st-Century Competencies and the Impact of Digitalization discusses teaching the 21st-century competencies, namely critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. This book presents both the problems or gaps causing barriers and brings forth practical solutions, digital and non-digital, to meet the educational shifts. The chapters will determine the specific barriers that exist, whether political, social, economic, or technological, to integrating competencies and the methods or strategies that can eliminate these barriers through compatible instructional approaches. Additionally, the chapters provide knowledge on the impacts of digitalization in general on teaching and learning and how digital innovations are either beneficial to removing impediments for students or rather causing obstructions in integrating the four competencies. This book is ideally intended for educators and administrators working directly with students, educational researchers, educational software developers, policymakers, teachers, practitioners, and students interested in how 21st-century competencies can be taught while facing the impacts of digitalization on education.
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1799869695
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 468
Book Description
The need to develop 21st-century competencies has received global recognition, but instructional methods have not been reformed to include the teaching of these skills. Multiple frameworks include creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration as the foundational competencies. Complexities of planning curriculum and delivering instruction to develop the foundational competencies requires professional training. However, despite training, instructional practice can be impacted by barriers caused by personal views of teachers, economic constraints, access to resources, social challenges, pandemic, overwhelming pace of global shifts, and other influences. With digitalization entering the field of education, it is unclear if technology has helped in removing or eliminating the barriers or has, itself, become another obstruction in integrating the competencies. Gaining an educator's perspective is essential to understanding the barriers as well as solutions to mitigate the impediments through innovative instructional methods being practiced across the globe via digital or non-digital platforms. The need for original contributions from educators exists in this area of barriers to 21st-century education and the role of digitalization. The Handbook of Research on Barriers for Teaching 21st-Century Competencies and the Impact of Digitalization discusses teaching the 21st-century competencies, namely critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. This book presents both the problems or gaps causing barriers and brings forth practical solutions, digital and non-digital, to meet the educational shifts. The chapters will determine the specific barriers that exist, whether political, social, economic, or technological, to integrating competencies and the methods or strategies that can eliminate these barriers through compatible instructional approaches. Additionally, the chapters provide knowledge on the impacts of digitalization in general on teaching and learning and how digital innovations are either beneficial to removing impediments for students or rather causing obstructions in integrating the four competencies. This book is ideally intended for educators and administrators working directly with students, educational researchers, educational software developers, policymakers, teachers, practitioners, and students interested in how 21st-century competencies can be taught while facing the impacts of digitalization on education.
Evidence-Based Education in the Classroom
Author: Jennifer Friberg
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1040137628
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 506
Book Description
Evidence-Based Education in the Classroom: Examples From Clinical Disciplines shows educators how to use evidence to inform teaching practices and improve educational outcomes for students in clinically based fields of study. Editors and speech-language pathologists Drs. Jennifer C. Friberg, Colleen F. Visconti, and Sarah M. Ginsberg collaborated with a team of more than 65 expert contributors to share examples of how they have used evidence to inform their course design and delivery. Each chapter is set up as a case study that includes: A description of the teaching/learning context focused on in the chapter A brief review of original data or extant literature being applied A description of how evidence was applied in the teaching/learning context Additional ideas for how evidence could be applied in other teaching/learning contexts across clinical disciplines Additional resources related to the pedagogy described in the case study (e.g., journal articles, books, blogs, websites) Educators in the fields of speech-language pathology, audiology, nursing, social work, sports medicine, medicine, dietetics, dental assisting, physician assisting, radiology technology, psychology, and kinesiology—already familiar with evidence-based practice—will find this resource helpful in implementing evidence-informed approaches to their teaching. While the content in clinical programs is quite different, there are many similarities in how to teach students across such programs. Evidence-Based Education in the Classroom: Examples From Clinical Disciplines highlights these similarities and represents a masterclass in how to practice evidence-based education.
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1040137628
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 506
Book Description
Evidence-Based Education in the Classroom: Examples From Clinical Disciplines shows educators how to use evidence to inform teaching practices and improve educational outcomes for students in clinically based fields of study. Editors and speech-language pathologists Drs. Jennifer C. Friberg, Colleen F. Visconti, and Sarah M. Ginsberg collaborated with a team of more than 65 expert contributors to share examples of how they have used evidence to inform their course design and delivery. Each chapter is set up as a case study that includes: A description of the teaching/learning context focused on in the chapter A brief review of original data or extant literature being applied A description of how evidence was applied in the teaching/learning context Additional ideas for how evidence could be applied in other teaching/learning contexts across clinical disciplines Additional resources related to the pedagogy described in the case study (e.g., journal articles, books, blogs, websites) Educators in the fields of speech-language pathology, audiology, nursing, social work, sports medicine, medicine, dietetics, dental assisting, physician assisting, radiology technology, psychology, and kinesiology—already familiar with evidence-based practice—will find this resource helpful in implementing evidence-informed approaches to their teaching. While the content in clinical programs is quite different, there are many similarities in how to teach students across such programs. Evidence-Based Education in the Classroom: Examples From Clinical Disciplines highlights these similarities and represents a masterclass in how to practice evidence-based education.
Career Counseling Across the Lifespan
Author: Grafton T. Eliason
Publisher: IAP
ISBN: 1623965497
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 923
Book Description
Career Counseling Across the Lifespan: Community, School, and Higher Education is the latest volume in the Issues in Career Development Book Series, edited by Grafton Eliason, John Patrick, and Jeff Samide, from California University of Pennsylvania. The purpose of Career Development Across the Lifespan is to provide a broad and in-depth look at the field of career development as it applies to individuals involved in all areas of community counseling, school counseling, and higher education. The book will examine some of the field's major theories, themes, approaches, and assumptions using the writings of a variety of regional and international experts. Specific emphasis is spent examining issues reflective of today's challenges in developing and maintaining a workforce that is diverse, flexible, and efficient. Readers will be provided with an action based framework built on the best available research information. This text book is truly the culmination of 8 years work, compiling comprehensive studies from three previous volumes and updating key concepts in career counseling with the most contemporary theories and innovations. We examine three primary domains of career counseling throughout all of the developmental stages of the lifespan: community, schools K-12, and higher education. We include a specific focus on career history and theories, to prepare students for both the counseling environment and for national exams leading to certification and licensure, such as the (NCE) National Counseling Exam. We also include cutting edge research on contemporary topics, including such areas as: military careers, life after the military, athletics, individuals with disabilities or special needs, career counseling in our current socio-economic environment, and current technologies such as virtual counseling. In addition, we have added case studies and key terms as study guides at the end of each chapter. We are fortunate to include many recognized experts in the field of career counseling. Career Counseling Across the Lifespan: Community, School, and Higher Education is a comprehensive text, written to address the broad needs of career counselors, educators, and students today.
Publisher: IAP
ISBN: 1623965497
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 923
Book Description
Career Counseling Across the Lifespan: Community, School, and Higher Education is the latest volume in the Issues in Career Development Book Series, edited by Grafton Eliason, John Patrick, and Jeff Samide, from California University of Pennsylvania. The purpose of Career Development Across the Lifespan is to provide a broad and in-depth look at the field of career development as it applies to individuals involved in all areas of community counseling, school counseling, and higher education. The book will examine some of the field's major theories, themes, approaches, and assumptions using the writings of a variety of regional and international experts. Specific emphasis is spent examining issues reflective of today's challenges in developing and maintaining a workforce that is diverse, flexible, and efficient. Readers will be provided with an action based framework built on the best available research information. This text book is truly the culmination of 8 years work, compiling comprehensive studies from three previous volumes and updating key concepts in career counseling with the most contemporary theories and innovations. We examine three primary domains of career counseling throughout all of the developmental stages of the lifespan: community, schools K-12, and higher education. We include a specific focus on career history and theories, to prepare students for both the counseling environment and for national exams leading to certification and licensure, such as the (NCE) National Counseling Exam. We also include cutting edge research on contemporary topics, including such areas as: military careers, life after the military, athletics, individuals with disabilities or special needs, career counseling in our current socio-economic environment, and current technologies such as virtual counseling. In addition, we have added case studies and key terms as study guides at the end of each chapter. We are fortunate to include many recognized experts in the field of career counseling. Career Counseling Across the Lifespan: Community, School, and Higher Education is a comprehensive text, written to address the broad needs of career counselors, educators, and students today.
Improving the First Year of College
Author: Robert S. Feldman
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135600902
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
The first year of college represents an enormous milestone in students' lives. Whether attending a four-year or two-year institution of higher education, living on campus or at home, or enrolled in a highly selective school or a college with an open-admissions policy, students are challenged in unique and demanding ways during their first year. Although many students rise to the challenges they face, for some the demands are too great. Retention rates beyond the first year are disappointing: one third of first-year students seriously consider leaving college during their first term, and ultimately one half of all students who start college complete it. What are the factors that impact students during their first year? How can the academic and social experiences of first-year students be optimized? What can we do to improve retention rates to maximize the number of students who complete college? Improving the First Year of College employs a variety of perspectives from leading researchers and student-service providers to address these questions and examine the first year of college. This volume also highlights the development of learning communities and coaching, as well as how technology impacts students' first year. Perhaps most important, the book provides examples of "best practices," as determined through research by leaders in the field, to permit educators to draw on their experiences.
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135600902
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
The first year of college represents an enormous milestone in students' lives. Whether attending a four-year or two-year institution of higher education, living on campus or at home, or enrolled in a highly selective school or a college with an open-admissions policy, students are challenged in unique and demanding ways during their first year. Although many students rise to the challenges they face, for some the demands are too great. Retention rates beyond the first year are disappointing: one third of first-year students seriously consider leaving college during their first term, and ultimately one half of all students who start college complete it. What are the factors that impact students during their first year? How can the academic and social experiences of first-year students be optimized? What can we do to improve retention rates to maximize the number of students who complete college? Improving the First Year of College employs a variety of perspectives from leading researchers and student-service providers to address these questions and examine the first year of college. This volume also highlights the development of learning communities and coaching, as well as how technology impacts students' first year. Perhaps most important, the book provides examples of "best practices," as determined through research by leaders in the field, to permit educators to draw on their experiences.