The Advanced Learning Workshop (ALW) Burt Dicht, Director IEEE University Programs

Advanced Learning Workshop (ALW) Purpose: The ALW is intended as a "self- contained" kit to enable IEEE student branches to organize and conduct programs and workshops around student learning and academic success With content focused on specific student learning needs, the ALW is designed to assist students in: −Becoming more efficient and effective learners −Addressing academic challenges −Positioning them for successful academic and professional careers

How Does the ALW Work? This kit is designed to set you on the path to success by providing a “step-by-step” guide for organizing and conducting a workshop The kit is presented in “stand-alone” sections that will enable you to develop the key planning steps, allocate tasks, develop your timeline, and to conduct your workshop Supplemental materials include the content modules and Word and Excel documents to be used in both planning and conducting the workshop

What is Unique About the ALW? The module topics came directly from academic needs identified in a student survey The module content was developed with input from students, faculty, industry practitioners and the IEEE professional staff And the most important aspect... They are designed to be delivered by students! We just hosted an ALW Session at our university !

The Benefits of Using the ALW Your Unit: New program ideas to offer students Furthers your unit’s objective of supporting the academic betterment of fellow students Reinforces your unit as a professional resource for students Engages new students in your activities Volunteers gain experience as subject matter expert presenters

The Benefits of Using the ALW (2) For Students: Gain access to resources that address academic challenges Become more efficient and effective learners Learn skills to help them achieve academic success

The ALW Topic Library Currently there are eight modules in the library : −T−Time Management −M−Managing Stress −D−Developing Effective Study Habits −T−The Engineer Communicator (Communication 101) −P−Preparing for Exams −D−Dealing with a Difficult Professor −E−Effective Note Taking −E−Effective Presentations * Additional modules will be added as the program expands

Using the Modules Each Module contains: −PowerPoint (With speaker script and instructions in the notes section) −A Module Worksheet (With time and slide beak-downs as well as handout lists) −A Session Evaluation Form −Session Exercises and Handouts (Specific to each module) The PowerPoint slide deck is designed to be a starting point: −Speakers can use as is, or adapt it to their own knowledge and experiences... You can use your own voice! −There are places in the deck to include links and information that is specific to the speaker’s institution

ALW Tool Kit Sample Slides

ALW Tool Kit Topic Index SectionTopicSlidesAdditional Materials -Introduction1-9 1Making the Decision Goals & Objectives The Organizing Committee17-21Organizing Committee Template 4The Timeline22-26Timeline Template 5Developing a Budget27-32Sample Expense Budget Template 6Developing the Program Speakers and Presenters Selecting the Venue Marketing and Promotion42-46Promotion Template

ALW Tool Kit Topic Index (2) SectionTopicSlidesAdditional Materials 10Registration Fundraising and Sponsorship Food and Beverage The Day of the Event Recognition Assessment Post Workshop65-68

Is There a Need? Your IEEE student branch or IEEE-HKN chapter is looking for new activities and has decided to explore offering an Advanced Learning Workshop on campus Before making a decision you should ask these questions: –Is there a need for this type of workshop? –Do students have access to other learning and academic resources on campus? –Where are the gaps? What learning resources are students looking for that are not currently available?

8912 Finalize Date, Finalize Program Topics, Recruit Additional Planning Members as Needed, Confirm Venue Confirm speakers, Obtain Bios, A/V Requirements, Handout Requirements - 1 Day Final Check on Materials, Room Set-up, A/V. Signage and Registration Post Event (+30 Days) Event Metrics and Assessment, Financial Report, Thank You’s Decision to hold event, Planning Team Identified, Target Dates Identified, Begin Program Development, Explore Venues Recruit Speakers, Develop Budget Develop Marketing Materials (website, brochures, blast s, posters, etc.), Registration system - 1 Week Confirm with speakers, assemble all necessary session and registration materials and catering confirmation Conduct Event/Activity This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. It is meant to give you a feeling of how the designs looks including text. Sample 5 Month Timeline -1 month - 2 months - 4 months - 3 months - 5 months Promotion and Marketing (repeated 1 week prior)

Sample Module

The Engineer Communicator Name Organization Date

Learning Objectives Goal: To use written and oral communications skills to further academic and professional success

“This is a common view from engineers. What are your thoughts? “As an engineer, my job is just to develop the best technical solution. So why do I need communications skills? “

Communications 101 Student communication requirements have applications in the workplace And the three typical activities required include: SchoolWorkplace ReportsProject Reports, Proposals PresentationsDesign Reviews, Customer Briefings, Status Updates PapersPeer Reviewed Papers

Public Speaking Surveys show that most people fear death less than speaking in front of other people Fear of public speaking even has a name, glossophobia; about 75% of people suffer from it

Presentations A presentation might involve doing an oral report on your written report, reporting on the status of a project or design, or even involve persuading an audience to align to your viewpoint Making an effective presentation involves two important communications skills: –Public speaking –Being able to visually present information

Presentations & Public Speaking Have thoughts in order before talking –Plan, Plan, Plan and Practice Focus on the audience –Don’t read the slides Don’t try to memorize the slides, you want to be natural If you do not know the answer – say so Don’t try to impress audience with technical terms Repeat when necessary When done with a point, stop talking Time management – know your time limit –Typically 1 slide per minute

Other Tactics to Improve Your Communications Skills Take a technical writing class Take a public speaking class Take a creative writing class Read (a variety of books and newspapers) Volunteer for IEEE-HKN or an IEEE Student Branch (Many positions require writing skills)

Summary Effective communications skills are required if you are going to succeed academically and also to prepare you for the requirements of the engineering workplace The three academic communications requirements are: Reports, Presentations and Papers Always start with the templates or formats required by the professor Plan, Practice and Refine when it comes to all of your communications Continue to explore options to develop and improve your communications skills

What Can You Do? Your Branch Can Help Develop and Launch the ALW The ALW Team is looking for Student Branches to pilot the ALW between now and 31 December 2015 Select one (1) module topic to present and file an after-activity report A webinar will be scheduled to provide assistance for all branches that register The first ten student branches that register will receive a $50 contribution

For more information visit the ALW website: ams/student_resources_advanced_learning_workshop.html or If you have questions or are interested in hosting an ALW, please send an to: Please include your name, university & contact information

Questions