Course Descriptions: LEARNING CENTER

The Learning Center offers self-paced courses and integrates technological resources and learning assistance services in the Tutorial Center, the Computer Center, the Math, Writing and ESL Multi-Media Skills Center, the MESA program and the Learning Achievement Center. The self-paced courses, many of which utilize computer-assisted and individualized instruction, focus on the improvement of specific skills, and can be completed whenever the Center is open. For more information, please visit the Learning Center in Building 9, on the second floor, or call (650) 306-3348.

LCTR 100 EFFECTIVE TUTORING AND PRACTICUM
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture/32 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400, and MATH 110 or 111; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Explores a variety of procedures for understanding and utilizing effective peer tutoring practices. Under guided supervision, students use classroom experiences to connect theory to practice. Communication and study strategies, course specific tutoring expertise, and techniques for working with students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds are emphasized. Transfer: CSU.

LCTR 110 TEACHING/TUTORING PRACTICUM
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1-3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48-144 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): LCTR 100, or comparable training and experience. Description: This course provides supervised teaching/tutoring experience for students interested in pursuing education as a profession or in enhancing their teaching/tutoring experience. Students explore in depth teaching/tutoring strategies, including mentoring, for providing instruction/supplemental instruction in individual/small group learning environments in the Learning Center or in a community service context. May be repeated for credit up to 3 times. Transfer: CSU.

LCTR 120 LITERACY TUTORING IN THE COMMUNITY
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 12 lecture/24 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This course explores a variety of strategies for developing and implementing literacy tutoring in the community working with adults, youths, children and families. Discussion and practice focuses on communication skills, specific tutoring techniques and strategies for working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, as well as with students who are academically “at risk.” Transfer: CSU.

LCTR 139 THE RESEARCH PAPER FROM A TO Z
Units (Letter grade) 2; Class Hours: Minimum of 96 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This Macintosh-based course guides students through the entire process of researching and writing a research paper. The course takes the student through nine stages, from an introduction to the types of research papers through final revisions, including library use and three methods of documentation. The course may be taken either as preparation for future research paper assignments, or in conjunction with a current research assignment in another class. Transfer: CSU.

LCTR 140 PROFESSIONAL WRITING
Units (Letter grade) 2; Class Hours: Minimum of 96 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This Macintosh-based course gives instruction and practice for writing in various professional capacities. Starting with the stages of the writing process and consideration of audience, the assignments proceed through the most important formats for professional writing, including instructions, proposals and formal reports. Transfer: CSU.

LCTR 151 ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCE VOCABULARY
Units (Letter grade) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This self-paced allied health science vocabulary course focuses on the mastery of more than one hundred roots and affixes from which thousands of words used in medical science terminology are derived. Instruction is aided by audiotapes which assist the student with pronunciation, and computer-assisted assignments based on the mastery learning approach. Transfer: CSU.

LCTR 698 SUPERVISED TUTORING/ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE
Units 0; Class Hours: By arrangement; Prerequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment in course in which tutorial assistance is being provided. Description: Under the supervision of the Director the Learning Center, students receive academic assistance such as tutoring or computerized supplemental instruction in areas of academic need. Students receive computerized supplemental instruction in assignments or tutoring by tutors who have demonstrated competence in specific subject, skill and/or discipline and who have successfully completed a tutor training course. Units do not apply toward AA/AS degree.

LCTR 810 STUDY SKILLS
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Basic Skills Level: Open Curriculum; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Through the use of computer programs, students learn to apply study skills including improved time management, efficient textbook reading and note taking, to develop memory and concentration techniques, and to demonstrate test taking efficiency. Units do not apply toward AA/AS degree.

LCTR 822 GRAMMAR TROUBLE SPOTS I
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Basic Skills Level: Open Curriculum; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This beginning level self-paced course helps students learn the language skills necessary to understand and recognize the most common errors in grammatical forms, meaning and use. After explanations and examples, the student works through troublesome areas with ample practice of each grammatical structure. Units do not apply toward AA/AS degree.

LCTR 823 GRAMMAR TROUBLE SPOTS II
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Basic Skills Level: Open Curriculum; Prerequisite(s): LCTR 822 or equivalent. Description: Continuation of LCTR 822. This intermediate level self-paced course helps students learn the language skills necessary to understand and recognize the most common errors in grammatical forms, meaning and use. After explanations and examples, the student works through troublesome areas with ample practice of each grammatical structure. Units do not apply toward AA/AS degree.

LCTR 824 GRAMMAR TROUBLE SPOTS III
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Basic Skills Level: Open Curriculum; Prerequisite(s): LCTR 823 or equivalent. Description: Continuation of LCTR 823. This intermediate/advanced level self-paced course helps students learn the language skills necessary to understand and recognize the most common errors in grammatical forms, meaning and use. After explanations and examples, the student works through troublesome areas with ample practice of each grammatical structure. Units do not apply toward AA/AS degree.

LCTR 825 GRAMMAR TROUBLE SPOTS IV
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Basic Skills Level: Open Curriculum; Prerequisite(s): LCTR 824 or equivalent. Description: Continuation of LCTR 824. This advanced level self-paced course helps students learn the language skills necessary to understand and recognize the most common errors in grammatical forms, meaning and use. After explanations and examples, the student works through troublesome areas with ample practice of each grammatical structure. Units do not apply toward AA/AS degree.

LCTR 832 PARAGRAPH WRITING ON THE MACINTOSH
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Basic Skills Level: Open Curriculum; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This Macintosh-based course helps students write well organized and well developed paragraphs. The course takes the student through eleven paragraph types, covering the following rhetorical modes: narration, description, persuasion, and eight expository modes. Hidden questions, or prompts, guide students in developing content and organization. Appropriate transitional devices are suggested for each kind of paragraph. Units do not apply toward AA/AS degree.

LCTR 840, 841, 842, 843 VOCABULARY IMPROVEMENT I, II, III, IV
Units (Pass/No Pass) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Basic Skills Level: Open Curriculum; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This workbook-based series of four vocabulary courses helps students build and improve vocabulary skills while teaching 150-300 basic words in each course. The courses give abundant practice and reinforcement by checkpoint tests through an intensive words-in-context approach. This is supplemented by matching words and definitions, concluding with chapter and unit exams using words in context and assessing word definitions with antonyms and synonyms. Prior to enrolling, students should take a short pre-test at the Learning Center to determine course in which to enroll. Units do not apply toward AA/AS degree.

Updated: 7/5/11