Current Program

The Learning Skills program helps students develop competencies appropriate for college courses. The program, which reflects the goals contained in the college's Mission Statement, is a college-wide program that focuses on individualized, self-paced, computer-assisted instruction courses, subject-linked courses, instructional resources, and tutoring to help students in reading, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, basic math and study skills. Learning Skills works with Disabled Students Programs and Services to provide courses and to identify students with learning disabilities. Students enroll in Learning Skills courses for personal enrichment, for retraining or upgrading employment skills, to improve study skills, to satisfy GAIN/CalWORKs requirements, and to access the Internet and other computer-based resources. In recent years several factors have caused changes in the program, including the GED requirement for employment, population changes, economic conditions, college budget conditions, students' basic skill levels, changes in student interests, changes in technology and the increasing use of technology in the workplace and at home, and the college's addition of weekend classes. Student demand also recently resulted in the purchase of several computer applications that students use for general purposes, thereby redefining and expanding the traditional role of Learning Skills in students' personal and work lives.

Personnel - At this time Learning Skills employs two full-time faculty members, 3.0 FTE part-time faculty members, three full-time classified employees and 34 student employees.

Teaching Methodologies - Teaching methods used in the program include primarily lecture/lab, labs, self-paced instruction and computerized instruction. Other methods include lecture, tutoring, learning communities and some online courses.

Technology - Several one-unit lab courses and some three-unit courses have been adapted to online courses that are being offered at this time.

Equipment - Several items of equipment need to be replaced, including computer monitors, CPUs, and headsets.

Facilities - There is immediate need for electronic classrooms, basic skills labs in reading and math, and a writing lab. The Learning Skills lab was not designed for small group work and there is not enough space for producing materials created in the computer lab. Faculty office space is at a premium and there is a lack of traditional classroom space as well.

Future Program

In the future, changes in the following will cause the Learning Skills program to change: curriculum development, technology, recruitment strategies, and facilities - such as the addition of electronic classrooms that will offer flexibility of use from lecture to interactive technology. It is expected that I both the mid term (five years) and long term (ten years) enrollment in Learning Skills courses will increase at the same rate as overall college enrollment. See Program Projections.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - More emphasis on new online courses and other distance learning opportunities will require adapting to new technologies.

Technology - The growth in online courses means the use of technology will likely explode in coming years. Many students who are attracted to Learning Skills classes have not been successful in traditional classrooms and they often enjoy computer-assisted instruction.

Equipment - All electronic equipment currently in use will need to be replaced within the next five years, including 120 CPUs, monitors, headsets, speakers, scanners, printers and notebook computers. Changes in hardware and software happen rapidly and students need exposure to the latest technology to be competitive in the workplace.

Facilities - The following facilities are needed, in addition to the adjacent Writing Center: faculty office spaces, a conference room, more traditional classroom space, electronic classrooms, adaptive instructional space for DSPS students, additional intake space for advising incoming students, additional computer lab space for students to work individually or in groups, additional labs for math, reading and writing, production workspace for creating documents and projects prepared in other part of the lab, large lecture rooms for special workshops/orientations and staff development activities, testing space for DSPS students and others requiring special accommodations, small study rooms for students, and storage rooms for electronic supplies and equipment in need of repair.

Staff Development - Suggested Staff Development topics include technology training, designing online courses, computer applications, new trends in teaching methodologies, interpersonal skills, supervisory skills, handling crisis situations with students and staff, and tutor training.

Special Recommendation

All department services should be moved under one "umbrella" leadership that would combine all current labs into a unified lab at one location. The department should implement a consistent reporting mechanism across all areas so that WSCH collecting and reporting is consistent across all disciplines.