ESM 150

Module 2

1. Overview of PSU
2. ESM is your home
3. Prepare to attend
4. UNST
5. Where you stand
6. Careers
7. Getting Involved
8. General advice
9. Assemble your plan
10. Get started

At PSU is seems it's always time for coffee

Consider the learning models:

Students do better in courses when they understand the underlying learning model. In ESM we generally operate on two models; one is for what makes students successful overall and the other is how we think you learn best in a class.

Research shows that there are three main determinants of overall students success.

• First is the curriculum, it has to be organized and presented to the students in a way that promotes congitive growth, success in the classes and completion of the degree. We try hard to meet these criteria.
• Second is the interactions with faculty and staff such as in-class or on-line discussions, advising, feedback on assignments, and more social conversations.
• Third is to part of a peer group that is ambitious and supportive.

In order to meet these conditions, you will need to be involved in the courses and team projects. Your effort is a very important part of this model for success. You will need to make time on campus and for team meetings in-order to take full advantage of these opportunities.

The faculty are structuring their classes and labs around the "cognitive apprenticeship" theory. Briefly, in this approach the instructor provides guideance as you engage with authentic problems and provides feedback along the way. Not every course is taught in this manner, but many of our courses and labs will have this structure.