Walkup's Way Home Dallas On Course  Conference 2007
The 2007 On Course Dallas, Texas conference was a particularly exciting conference for me.

My student, Lindsey Beck won a national essay contest. Her essay was published in February 07 in the college success text On Course.   Lindsey and I were both invited to speak. Lindsey read her essay to an international audience of hundreds educators, business professionals and government workers.

 At a later break-out point in the conference she described how taking a First Year Student Success Course using On Course transformed her.

 I was asked to speak about “the obstacles she faced and what she did to become a Creator and overcome those obstacles.” 

Lindsey Beck holding the text, On Course, wherein her essay was published.
Skip Downing, On Course author is in the middle.
Louise Walkup, instructor is to the left.

I participated in a student success discussion (Session 5H) and gave a working on effective class beginnings and endings (Session 6E).

Below is a description of these two sessions quoted from the On Course Program Description:

Session 5H: Three Students’ Stories
Room: TBA
Presenters: Jessie Maggard, Student, and Joan Ware, Faculty, Urbana University, OH; Dominic Grasseth, Student, Lane Community College (OR); Lindsey Beck, Student, and Louise Walkup, Faculty, Three Rivers Community College, CT
Summary:  When students with strong academic potential struggle in higher education, the reasons often go much deeper than a lack of study skills or information about campus resources. In the opening session, you met three such students through the presentation of their winning entries in the On Course Essay Contest. Join these students now for an in-depth look at the challenges they faced and how they were re-empowered to get back on course. You’ll hear from the faculty members who helped these students overcome their barriers, you’ll hear from the students about what they learned from overcoming their challenges, you’ll have a chance to ask questions of both the students and their instructors, and you’ll hear suggestions from all of the panelists about what educators can do to help capable but struggling students achieve more of their potential in college…and in life.

Session 6E: Memorable Beginnings and Endings
Room:  TBA
Presenter: Louise Walkup, Faculty, Humanities, Three Rivers Community College, CT
Summary:  The first and last week of class are critical to student learning. The first week sets the tone for learning and the last week solidifies learning and prepares students for their next steps. In this session, participants will experience two of the presenter’s best practices. A first-week activity uses the On Course Self-Assessment to give students an opportunity for practicing self-examination and developing community in the classroom, while at the same time providing the instructor with information on their strengths and weaknesses. A last-week activity offers an opportunity for students to reinforce what they have learned in the course while creating a sense of completion.

 

Lindsey Beck "Writing Was My Release"

Lindsey Beck spoke bravely to  an international audience of hundreds of educators, business professionals and  government employees at the second annual On Course Conference in Dallas, Texas,  On March 2 and 3, 2007.

Lindsey read her published essay, "Writing Was My Release"  and discussed the importance of  taking responsibility for one's actions.  She emphasized the need to make the right ethical choices. We should learn where our responsibility ends and where others' responsibility starts. She said we are not responsible for others' bad choices.  We should not confuse enabling with helping. For example, we are not responsible for another's drinking and need not make ourselves 24/7 to drive inebriated individuals home.

"What really helped and prepared me to confront difficulties was journaling. I followed the journal writing prompts in the On Course text.  I described challenging circumstances and confrontations with individuals . Then I wrote imaginary conversations wherein I handled the situations using strategies I had learned in class. This equipped me with the emotional intelligence I needed. I was able to follow through with the proper course of action because I had discipline and a sense of personal responsibility.  I hope to inspire others to do the same."

Note:  Lindsey will also be featured in Feldman's text, POWER Learning in December 2007.