Volume 1 Issue 1 January / February 2010

LSC-O

News
Serving students of Lamar State College-Orange and the LU system

Welcome to our first issue!

ere pleased to present the first issue of an epublication designed to keep LSC-O students up-todate on the services available in the Learning Center. Our bimonthly newsletter will highlight hardware, software, and other educational resources as well as contain information about staff, student-tutors, and subjects for which we offer tutoring. In addition, we plan to include articles that address students academic and career goals, along with advice for making the most of a college education. Since the Learning Center exits to support student achievement and facilitate participation in the LSC-O learning community, we invite readers to provide feedback on the value of our newsletter content and contribute ideas to explore in future issues. Darlene Mazzagate & Raj We look forward to hearing what readers Hasan study equations for think! See contact information on page 4.
chemical reactions.

Above, from left: Jasmine Payne & Angela Miles proof a paper; Gerald Langham & Darrelle Colinot do calculus.

Inside this issue:

Meet our staff 2 2 3 3 3-4 4

Recognizing the diverse needs and learning styles of all students, the LSC-O Learning Center promotes academic success and continuing intellectual growth through subject-specific tutoring, technology resources, and study skills support.

Our Mission . . .

Software highlight Meet our studenttutors Learning the SMARTTM way MLA and APA changes Habit for success

LSC-O Learning Center Ron E. Lewis Library 410 Front Street Orange, TX 77036 409-882-3373

LSC-O Learning Center News January / February 2010

Meet our staff

ony Barrientos has worked in the Learning Center since 1995 and was named Director in 2002. He holds an A.S. in computer science from Lamar State CollegeOrange and a B.A.A.S. in management information systems from Lamar University.

Staff spotlight

lizabeth Pressler joined our staff as Lab Manager in 2008. A Texas certified educator with B.A.s in English and Sociology, she is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in educational technology through Lamar Universitys Academic Partnerships program. arbara Sarver started working in the Learning Center as a student before becoming our Lab Tech in 2003. She holds an A.A.S. in office technology from Lamar State College-Orange. Shes also a talented algebra tutor.

erald Langham rejoined the Learning Center staff last fall as our math specialist. A long-time resident of the Golden Triangle, Theres nothing Mr. more satisfying Langham holds than passing along the knowl- bachelors edge and experi- degrees in electrical engineering and mathematics from Lamar University. ence Ive accuAfter retiring from DuPont in 2005, he mulated to help tutored in the Learning Center from others reach 2006 to 2007. Hes happy to be back their goals. working with our students.

Software highlight

wo test-prep tools are available in the Learning Center to help students in the Upward Mobility Nursing and Accelerated Certification for Educators programs prepare for professional exams.
The NCLEX RN Review 4000 covers all topics and question fordesktop icon mats on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Students may take practice tests, which offer feedback with rationales and supporting references for all answers, and build custom tests to focus on areas of weakness. C e r t i f y Teacher Softwares TestSim series i n c l u d e s desktop icon TExEs practice exams, flashcards, descriptions of competencies, and references for further study. Programs for the PPR EC12, PPR 8-12, PPR 4-8, Gen. EC-4, Science 8-12, ELAR 8-12, and Tech Apps EC-12 exams are currently available.

oseanne Jungen earned an A.A.S. from Lamar St a t e Col l e ge Orange. With the ACE program since 2003, she also tutors math part-time.

LSC-O Learning Center Ron E. Lewis Library 410 Front Street Orange, TX 77036 409-882-3373

LSC-O Learning Center News January LSC-O Learning Center News January / February 2010

Meet our team of student-tutors

ary Pilcher is a wiz with computers who can also help with algebra, precalculus, and chemistry. Enrolled in courses at LSC-O and Lamar University, Gary is pursuing a B.A. in computer science with an emphasis on programming.

icole Felix helps with and algebra; shes also great with all the Microsoft Office programs. Nicole plans to earn a bachelors degree in a math or science field once she completes her A.S. in natural science.

Student spotlight

asmine Payne specializes in assisting students with biology, anatomy & physiology, and English. After completing her A.S. in natural science, Jasmine will major in medical technology at Lamar University.

rystal Carnley enjoys helping students with all phases of the writing process, from brain-storming ideas to proofing the final product. Crystal is pursuing an A.A.S. in medical radiologic technology.

left his home in Bangladesh three years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a chemical engineer. Once he comWorking in the pletes his core Learning Cencourses, he'll ter improves attend the Unimy English, versity of and teaching Houston. others sharpMeanwhile, he ens my knowlenjoys tutoring edge of math chemistry and and science. math.

aj Hasan

Learning the SMARTTM way

ut of commission for a year since our last post-hurricane remodel, the SMARTTM board is up and running again! For those who are unfamiliar with this versatile learning tool, a SMARTTM board is a Shanice Lewis and Jasmine Payne explore an touch sensitive whiteinteractive periodic table of the elements on the SMART board. board connected to a computer and a projector. Users can view presentations or web content and write on the board with an electronic pen (or just a finger); these digital annotations may be saved or printed out. The new SMARTTM Notebook 10 software contains hundreds of interactive learning aids. Learning Center staff are developing additional interactive lessons to serve our students.
TM

MLA and APA changes

ublication of the new MLA (7th ed., 2009) and APA (6th ed. 2010) handbooks brings several changes to the documentation and citation formats of each style. Students who have become accustomed to the bibliography feature in Microsoft Word 2007 will need to edit citations created in this program to comply with the new guidelines. Likewise, many online citation generators (such as Son of Citation Machine) have not yet been updated, so students should use these tools with more than the usual caution. (Continued on page 4)

LSC-O Learning Center Ron E. Lewis Library 410 Front Street Orange, TX 77036 409-882-3373

LSC-O Learning Center News January / February 2010

(Changes, continued from page 3) The most notable changes involve documentation of electronic sources. Both MLA and APA introduce methods to simplify citations for websites, online journals, and databases. Follow this link to the Rice Library at the University of Southern Indiana to view a summary of changes: http:www.usi.edu/library/ APA-MLA-spotlight.asp Learning Center staff also recommend that students consult the citation guides available on the Ron. E. Lewis Library web page.

The library staff, and Ms. Pressler in the Learning Center, will be happy to assist students with MLA and APA questions.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed. (2009) click link

May we help?
To sign in for the first time, bring your student ID from one of the three Lamar campuses; thereafter, you may log-in with your name. Walkins are welcome, but if youd like to inquire about our services or make an appointment with a particular tutor, please call or email us.

Contact us
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (2010) click link

(409)882-3087 Phone (409) 882-7552 Fax

Staff email: Tony.Barrientos@lsco.edu Elizabeth.Pressler@lsco.edu

Habit for success

Barbara.Sarver@lsco.edu Roseanne.Jungen@lsco.edu Gerald Langham@lsco.edu

s you embark on a new semester, what can you do to get the most benefit from your college experience?

Taking notes, reading, and completing all assignments are all important, but one strategy students may overlook is simply being a more active participant in the classroom. Asking questions, introducing different perspectives, and suggesting related topics to explore can generate engaging discussions and maximize learning for everyone. So dont be shyraise your hand to ask for clarification or share a great idea. Its one of the best ways to help your instructor help you learn.

Contact the editor

If you would like to subscribe or have corrections, comments, or suggestions for future issues, contact LC Newsletter editor Elizabeth Pressler via email, or call (409) 882-3087.

Lazrus, Mel. (n.d.). [Cartoon]. Retrieved from http://faculty.spokanefalls.edu/InetShare/AutoWebs/ jimp/Cartoons/arethere.gif

LSC-O Learning Center Ron E. Lewis Library 410 Front Street Orange, TX 77036 409-882-3373