Introduction
The arrival of the 21st century is expected to bring challenges which will have a direct impact on higher education. Technology today advances at a rate higher than at any other time in
history. It has compelled us to change our life styles and how we work.
Forecasters of the 21st century claim that in the next millennium
the work force must possess "beyond basic skills," self-management
skills, interpersonal skills, learning skills, and technological
competencies to be gainfully employed. Higher education is expected to
meet these labor force requirements.
The Learning Center (TLC) at Kauai Community College is committed to
providing learning assistance to meet the diverse needs of the student
population and help facilitate student success. It is imperative,
therefore, that TLC maintains its comprehensive role while
strengthening its ability to provide assistance to all students and
support the faculty, staff and administration. It must become an
efficient, student-centered and service-oriented operation that
supports student success.
The Learning Center's Mission for the Decade and the 21st Century
To
help empower students to become efficient, confident, and independent
learners and develop requisite skills they need to succeed in obtaining
their academic, career, and personal goals, thus enabling them to lead
self-directed and productive lives now and in the 21st century.
Goals to Achieve The Learning Center's Mission
- To provide resources and assistance to segments of the student
population who need to improve their academic skills so that they may
attain successful experiences in post secondary education, thus
empowering them to become productive members of society.
- To support the faculty, staff, and administration in the
effort to prepare students to be creative and analytical thinkers,
system thinkers, problem solvers, and creative citizens.
- To continue to work with Instruction and Student Services so
that students will increase their chances to master basic concepts and
develop attitudes and skills required for life-long learning and
gainful employment.
- To encourage and promote the use of technology for
instructional delivery and to teach students technological skills
needed by an educated citizenry.
- To recognize, cultivate, and promote an evolving
inquiry-centered learning environment, and to encourage students to be
actively involved in the learning process.
The Learning Center's Plans and Activities to Achieve Goals
To
achieve the above goals, TLC will maintain its current services and
intensify its effort to provide activities designed to help students
acquire or improve the following skills to prepare them for successful
lives and careers this decade and in the 21st century.
Beyond Basic Skills
Students
will need "beyond basic skills" if they are to pursue an academic
program or engage in gainful employment. We offer tutorial assistance
and/or individualized instruction, and workshops to assist students
improve or enhance their academic skills. TLC has organized and
developed Self Instructional Programs to support students as they work
toward gaining higher level skills. These resources may be used
independently or with the assistance of TLC staff.
Computer/technological literacy
Student
empowerment must include teaching or helping students to understand the
role and impact of technology upon our world and help them assume the
responsibility associated with living in the technologically-oriented
Information Age. TLC, therefore, feels it is imperative to teach
students to use technology as a tool for obtaining and organizing
information, and for communicating and expressing themselves
creatively. TLC offers tutorials and workshops relating to these.
Self-Management and Interpersonal Skills
The
future labor market will need employees who can apply their knowledge
and skills and are able to make appropriate descisions in varying
circumstances. Students need to achieve personal growth and gain
transferrable self-management and interpersonal skills. These may
include self-esteem, self-motivation, time management, resourcefulness,
communication, and decision and problem-solving skills. TLC will offer
workshops and resources in self-management and interpersonal skills.
Learning Skills
Students
need to become life-long learners. Life-long learning involves
acquiring the skill to interpret, analyze and use or apply a variety of
data. TLC will continue to promote the learning-how-to-learn process
and teach specific learning skills through individualized instruction,
small group and in-class workshops.
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