When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the groundlessness of our situation and relax into its dynamic quality, that’s called enlightenment. ~Pema Chodron
Welcome to the Summer 2016 issue of Inside Penn State Learning. It's a summer of change leading to a fall of even more change. So much is new: math and GSG coordinators, EPPIC liaison, wait-list and signage technology, lighting in Sparks, teamwork areas, Starfish, LionPath, and CANVAS. Not to mention the new newsletter format and location. Can you handle it?? |
PSL Gets Digital
As of July, students coming to 220 Boucke for tutoring experienced a new check-in system called Starfish. When students swipe their ID card, they can see, via a monitor on the receptionist’s desk (top image on left), their place in line and an estimated wait time. An additional monitor showing this information is in the waiting area in Boucke.
Starfish will be used in 7 Sparks as well, but without the waiting list monitor. In addition, a second large digital signage monitor will be in Boucke and Sparks. This monitor will display scrolling information like weather, news, and PSL services for students to read while they wait. The long-term goals for PSL digital signage are two-fold:
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Flipping the Teamwork AreasIn late August, construction will begin to renovate the Teamwork Areas in 220 Boucke. The renovations will allow greater flexibility in arranging the space. Walls between A, B, C, E, and F will be removed; area D will be moved to the back; tables will be added to the open area in the middle; and smaller tables with computers will sit along the side. Because the area will be much more open, tables and chairs can be moved to accommodate small or large groups, thus making the space more useful for Guided Study Groups. Construction is expected to wrap up by September 6, although the room may not be fully equipped until late September. Check out the September newsletter for a progress report!
Math Tutors Present at PCTMMathematics tutor and online study group leader Rachel Pileggi talks about teaching students to graph using transformations. On August 4 and August 5, 2016, several tutors from Penn State Learning represented Penn State Learning and the College of Education at the 65th annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Joanne Oh, Rachel Pileggi, and Colleen Quisenberry, each of whom are majoring in secondary education and training to become high school mathematics teachers, attended the conference and presented to peers and future colleagues. Rachel's presentation, "Exploring Parameter Effects Across Function Families," involved examining the effects of function parameters and the ways that examining simpler functions can help students to generalize effects across function families. Joanne and Colleen each shared their experiences as study group leaders for MATH 141 and for MATH 034, respectively, and connected their experiences to the teaching practices that they have been learning in their major courses. |
New Faces & NamesWe'll have several new staff members (and one new name) joining us this Fall!
1. When Math Coordinator Dr. Duane Graysay left PSL on August 12 to teach at Syracuse University in NY, we welcomed Carol Gaertner as the new Math Coordinator. Carol was a math instructor at PSU for the past four years, and she worked with several GSG leaders in that position. As an undergraduate at PSU, Carol studied architectural engineering and math, and she also tutored for PSL. In her free time, Carol enjoys traveling, gardening, and swimming. 2. As we say goodbye to Megan Stump, who will leave PSU to pursue her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership at the University of Maryland, we welcome Amber Jones as our new resident ESL specialist and instructor for APLNG 250: Tutoring Multilingual Writers. Amber has been called an “interesting mix” of performer, athlete, mother and teacher. She does tend to blend all four passions together in her pedagogical practices, and, aside from motherhood, has been practicing this teaching style for 20+ years in various forms. Her energetic teaching methods seem to work well with native and nonnative speakers who occasionally even laugh at her jokes. 3. We parted with Stormy Stark in May and will begin the 2016/2017 year with a new GSG graduate assistant with an equally evocative name: Clewiston Challenger. Clewiston (Clewi) is a PhD candidate in Penn State’s Counselor Education and Supervision program. He has worked as a K-12 school counselor Hartford and New York City and most recently as an academic advisor and career counselor at the Morgan Center. His research interest is with minority students who attend predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and their adjustment to college. 4. In addition to Clewi, we say hello to a new part-time GSG graduate assistant, Cecil Shelton. Cecil is a Ph.D. Candidate in Agriculture and Extension Education. His research interest includes student success, retention, and communities within education. While at Penn State, Cecil has taught a freshman seminar and a course on developing communities, in addition to facilitating a program for the change of campus students in the College of Agricultural Sciences. 5. Cindy Clem is now Cindy Spiegel. Don’t be confused. Be happy for her happy marriage. |
Helping Students Study SmarterPenn State Learning tutors from all subject areas are being recruited to present workshops about smart study habits to freshman seminars this fall. Inspired by Dr. Josh Wede and Dr. Jackie Bortiatynski’s “Study Smarter, Not Harder” presentation, tutors will design their own Powerpoints and videos to help students understand how to improve their study habits. Smart study habits include:
Former GSG Leader in the NewsAdam Uliana, a senior in chemical engineering and Chem 210 GSG leader for Spring and Fall 2015, was part of a recent story in the Penn State Newswire about a student research trip to Rwanda (see link below). Uliana "resigned" from his GSG role so that he could focus on his research (as described in the article) and to lead a student sustainability initiative on campus. He also spent this past spring studying in Belgium. Hooray for the continued success and adventures of the PSL team! In the picture below, Uliana is seated in the front between the two men in hats.
news.psu.edu/story/419352/2016/08/04/academics/students-and-faculty-learn-valuable-lessons-research-trip-rwanda?utm_source=newswire&utm_medium=email&utm_term=420424_HTML&utm_content=08-10-2016-14-33&utm_campaign=student%20newswire |
Summer Birthdays
Liz Hopta, Writing Tutor, June 5
Liz is a junior majoring in English and Women's Studies. After graduating in 2018, she hopes to either join the Peace Corps or attend graduate school. One fascinating fact about Liz: she biked the Great Wall of China. When asked follow-up questions like "how long did it take?" she confessed that she didn't bike the entire wall because she was 12 at the time and still a bit wobbly on the bike. That's okay, Liz. Your fact is fascinating nonetheless!
Liz is a junior majoring in English and Women's Studies. After graduating in 2018, she hopes to either join the Peace Corps or attend graduate school. One fascinating fact about Liz: she biked the Great Wall of China. When asked follow-up questions like "how long did it take?" she confessed that she didn't bike the entire wall because she was 12 at the time and still a bit wobbly on the bike. That's okay, Liz. Your fact is fascinating nonetheless!
Sarah Wolverton, Math Tutor, August 19
Sarah writes..."Hi, my name is Sarah Wolverton and I am a rising junior studying Engineering Science. I’m still unsure about what I want to do after graduation but I’m leaning towards something with nanotechnology. I was born and raised in Colorado but currently live outside of Philly in Downingtown. I spent my summer being a camp counselor and crossed skydiving off my bucket list! Sad to see that summer is over but I’m excited for the school year ahead of us." When asked if she would skydive again, Sarah replied, "most definitely."
Sarah writes..."Hi, my name is Sarah Wolverton and I am a rising junior studying Engineering Science. I’m still unsure about what I want to do after graduation but I’m leaning towards something with nanotechnology. I was born and raised in Colorado but currently live outside of Philly in Downingtown. I spent my summer being a camp counselor and crossed skydiving off my bucket list! Sad to see that summer is over but I’m excited for the school year ahead of us." When asked if she would skydive again, Sarah replied, "most definitely."
Sarah Tarczewski, Writing Tutor, June 6
Ryan Rokicki, Math Tutor, June 8
Natalia Nigay, Russian Tutor, June 30
Taylor Baum, Math Tutor, July 11
Logan Finger, Italian Tutor, July 15
Catherine Babecki, Math Tutor, July 18
David Lee, Korean Tutor, July 24
Katherine Vivas, Writing Tutor, July 27
Tyler Steiner, Math Tutor, August 31
Ryan Rokicki, Math Tutor, June 8
Natalia Nigay, Russian Tutor, June 30
Taylor Baum, Math Tutor, July 11
Logan Finger, Italian Tutor, July 15
Catherine Babecki, Math Tutor, July 18
David Lee, Korean Tutor, July 24
Katherine Vivas, Writing Tutor, July 27
Tyler Steiner, Math Tutor, August 31