Transformative Learning Professionals Help Students Succeed

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2016) — At some point along the journey to graduation, every college student needs a little boost to help him or her transition from high school to college.

When a University of Kentucky student asks themselves — ‘Where can I go to get help with time management?’ or ‘There must be a better way to study this material more effectively?’ — there are dedicated people waiting with answers.

That boost, that supportive coach, is exactly what members of the Transformative Learning staff of the University of Kentucky are committed to provide, and there are several options for students to attain that assistance.

Transformative Learning is a centralized student support unit on campus, a student’s one-stop shop for on-campus academic resources, including Academic Preparation and Placement testing, the peer tutoring at The Study and Presentation U!, Academic Coaching and Power Hour weekly workshops.

“Students are welcome to self-select or use our service because of a referral,” explained Rachael Deel, assistant director of Presentation U!. “Whether they have clearly identified their need, such as note-taking strategies, or are completely unaware of what their obstacle to success is, our College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certified and trained academic coaches are prepared to collaborate with them as they identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals and build a concrete action plan to meet those goals.

“We use the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) as a tool for reflecting and identifying strengths and weaknesses. It provides a great jumping off point to see where students are at and where they want to be,” explained Deel.

“The program is designed to nurture an ongoing relationship where students are encouraged to visit with a coach as many times as needed,” she said.

The program’s goal is to provide academic preparation programming and academic support for undergraduates in all colleges to help them master the skills needed to become successful lifelong learners. Transformative Learning partners with student service programs and academic units across the university to enhance student retention and progress to degree.

“Academic coaches help supplement course content with study skills and learning strategies to help students become self-regulated learners,” Deel said. “Coaches help students identify and overcome obstacles that impede academic success. Additionally, coaches serve as a campus partner and liaison, referring students to appropriate services on campus such as academic advising, counseling, disability resources, career consultation and (more advanced) tutoring.”

“For me, one of the most crucial and significant steps of the IAC (Individualized Academic Coaching) session is to create a safe, friendly, and caring environment … through fluid conversations” said academic coach Bailey Ubellacker. “I have had many experiences where we find common ground — such as hometowns or sports — and are able to engage in warm conversation about shared interests or experiences. I then listen closely to their dreams, thoughts, concerns and other elements the student feels comfortable sharing.

“The exact objective for each session differs, keeping me on my toes and making the sessions intriguing as the student’s background, vision, educational plan and other aspects that are uniquely their own emerge. Developing these goals in collaboration with the student is one of the most rewarding and meaningful outcomes of a session,” Ubellacker said.

“As an educator, I enjoy positively reinforcing students on their strengths and engage in brainstorming ideas to grow in improvement areas,” Ubellacker added. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with learning, understanding and guiding the paths of undergraduates at UK. I always look forward to seeing them around campus, or perhaps they will choose to join me again for another IAC.”

Transformative Learning programming extends beyond placement and academic essentials for new students. The Peer Tutoring Program at The Study focuses on helping students with UK Core mathematics, sciences and business courses. Services are available for free and without an appointment at The Study on the third floor of the Complex Commons building in the Blanding-Kirwan Complex on south campus and The Study North on the first floor of Jewel Hall/Champions Court I on north campus.

Peer tutoring or coaching, provided by undergraduate students, helps fellow undergraduates, individually and in small groups. The six peer, CRLA-certified coaches don’t give lectures or provide easy answers. They are not living, breathing cheat sheets. They are, however, a precious resource for all undergraduate students who seek to improve their study skills. Peer tutors support other students until they can understand concepts and complete assignments on their own. For detailed schedules, visit here.

Students can utilize the Academic Coaching program by either dropping in during peer coaching hours or schedule an appointment with a graduate student for an Individualized Academic Coaching session. Whether one is just dropping in or coming for a scheduled appointment, they can expect to be welcomed by a desk attendant, directed to use their student ID to swipe in and then meet their coach. Students are encouraged to approach academic coaching like a personal trainer; it is an ongoing, collaborative relationship working to reach established goals.

Both peer tutors and coaches are amazingly successful, say the professionals, for one very obvious reason. It hasn’t been that long since the tutor was right there in the same classroom, with the same textbook, possibly even the same professor. They remember the concepts, which parts were tricky, and the tips and strategies they used to master the work.

The Transformative Learning Program also offers Power Hour workshops, slated weekly for students who need assistance with math, multi-modal communication and best-study practices.