Reading and Study Skills Laboratory
One More Evide
ce - Otterbein Does Care If a young man or woman is accepted as a student at Otterbein, what are the chances that he or she will succeed? What if, in spite of high potential , the freshman fails to adjust to the academic life of the campus and is in danger of dismissal? Is the college responsible? What can an institution do to help the young person realize his potential for success in college or- in some cases-steer him into some other type of career training? Otterbein College has an educational development laboratory in which students having academic difficulties or deficiencies in learning skills are assisted in an intensive and general reading and study skills programs. Miss Margaret Lloyd, '65, a reading specialist who became director of the Reading and Study Skills Laboratory, has built upon the program started by Dr. Benjamin Center in 1965. The close working relationships established between Miss Lloyd, the student and the professors make this program unique when compared with those of other institutions. An interesting mix of students can be found in the laboratory during any given term. Some students need to develop basic reading and study skills if they are to perform at an adequate level to be successful in college, while others are good students who realize that they can improve their performance and their enjoyment of college by increasing their reading rate, improving their writing skills or correcting single weaknesses they have identified. The college does have a responsibility to help stu- · dents realize their potential, according to Miss Lloyd and the faculty of Otterbein. The reading and study skills program is one of the tools with which the college works to help each student meet the academic and personal challenges which he faces throughout lite. Since failure in college can be related to multiple causes, the program attempts to individualize its structure with academic assistance and personal and vocational guidance, so that each student has the opportunity to "see" himself more clearly and to adjust his priorities to gain future success. Diagnostic academic and aptitude testing helps him to set realistic goals for himself. Readjustment might be considered in his selection of a major, in the number of terms needed to graduate, or with respect to the occupation he has chosen . Students are selected for the intensive program on the basis of diagnostic tests, past records, and motivation to succeed in college . The battery of tests is offered to students not eligible for regular admission to Otterbein, as well as to those not making satisfactory progress after admission. Following the testing , the student may be recommended for the intensive program, the general program, individualized assistance, or a tutor in a specific subject. The intensive reading and study skills program is offered without academic credit, in conjunction with one regular academic course. The skills learned during the daily three-hour intensive program are then applied to the completion of the academic course. The elective general skills program consists of three hours of instruction per week , without academic credit, with every effort being made to guide the transfer of skills to actual usage in the college situation. Miss Lloyd keeps close contact with faculty members in regard to the needs and progress of each student.
Miss Lloyd with students in Study Skills Laboratory
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