The Learning Center

Overview

The Learning Center (920/211) provides instruction in developmental studies English, reading, math and critical reading (RDG 100) and offers academic support and tutoring in Learning Assistance. The Learning Center includes three departments: Developmental Studies English/Reading, Developmental Studies Mathematics, and Learning Assistance. It also offers IDS 101-Human Thought and Learning, COL 107-Computer Literacy Skills for College Success and courses in English as a Second Language. All of these components provide services that enable students to be successful in college courses and to meet their academic goals.

General Information

The purpose of developmental studies courses is to assist students in acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for their success in curriculum courses. Many students who wish to continue their education beyond the high school level are lacking the essential competencies in reading, writing and mathematics. Courses in developmental studies are designed to remove any deficiencies and help prepare students for programs of study leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees that will afford them opportunities for successful careers and lifelong learning.

Scores on entrance placement test(s) determine whether a student needs to enroll in one or more developmental studies courses before taking college credit courses. Your advisor or a college counselor can provide you with specific information about your scores and registration for courses. Please see the Course Description section of this catalog for details about the courses.

Students enrolled in ENG, MAT and RDG Developmental Studies courses and RDG 100 will find that learning takes place in a technology-enhanced environment. Each student will have an Individualized Study Plan (an ISP) or set of assignments based on the results of diagnostic testing or assessment. The ISP includes computer tutorials, guided instruction, self-paced lessons using a variety of media (including Internet resources), and small group and learning lab activities. Instructors will work with you to help you pace your individualized assignments so that you can complete your ISP as quickly as you can master the course objectives. Faculty facilitators in The Learning Center will provide assistance and opportunities to help students develop the computer literacy skills needed in most of the developmental studies courses.

Students in Developmental Studies courses will also use college-provided e-mail accounts to access course information, communicate with the instructors, and find out information about financial aid and other college services.  Grades are posted on the college’s website rather than mailed, so knowing how to use your college e-mail account and TTC Express is very important.

Some developmental courses are also offered in online format. Before you enroll in a distance-learning option, you should discuss your situation with your advisor. Not everyone has the discipline to be successful in a distance-education environment. Moreover, to enroll in an online course, students need appropriate computer hardware, access to the Internet, a good knowledge of how to use features of interactive desktops and a definite plan of when they will complete assignments. Students in online courses have to submit course work and complete tests by specified deadlines, so it is important to have a plan before you enroll in a course in which you must manage your own learning time.

Some students enrolled in developmental studies RDG 032 and RDG 100 will be assigned two advisors: a Learning Center faculty facilitator and an advisor in their chosen program of study. The academic deans have determined which programs require two advisors for students in RDG 032 and RDG 100. Those students with two advisors must meet with the developmental studies advisor until they totally exit from the reading course (RDG 032 or RDG 100). Students who have completed new student orientation will be able to view their academic advisor(s) names on the Student Profile screen in TTC Express. It is your responsibility to visit an Orientation Center on any campus and then contact and meet with the advisor to plan your academic program.

Students enrolled in developmental studies courses are also encouraged to enroll in COL 103 College Skills to discover strategies that will facilitate success in all college courses. Another option is to take IDS 101 Human Thought and Learning, a course that includes topics such as information processing, problem solving, memory and cognitive awareness. If students need keyboarding skills or a course to become familiar with using the computer for instruction or accessing tutorials, they should enroll in COL 107 Computer Literacy Skills for College Success, a three-hour course. Students who need to develop study skills may choose to enroll in a one-credit hour course, COL 104 Study Skills.

Cancellation Policy

TTC reserves the right to cancel courses due to inadequate enrollment.

Challenge Courses
Students who believe that their placement test results have misplaced them into a developmental studies course may wish to consider enrolling in a Challenge course. Challenge courses provide 15 hours of instruction during the week prior to the beginning of each academic semester. Students who pass a Challenge course may enroll in the next level of course.  When you register for a Challenge course, you are challenging the zero-prefix ENG, RDG, or MAT course only.  Enrollment is limited to students whose placement scores fall within the Challenge range.  You may not enroll in a Challenge course once you have enrolled in a zero-prefix developmental studies ENG, RDG or MAT course.

A student may enroll in a Challenge course if the placement test scores fall within a given range as shown in the table:

Challenge Ranges on the College Placement Test

Challenge Course	COMPASS	Challenge Ranges* For Placement Test Scores: To Qualify for the Challenge Course Placement Test ASSET	CPT	Developmental Studies Course Being Challenged
ENG 013	13-40 Writing	32-38 Writing	53-72 Sentence Structure	ENG 032 Dev. English
MAT 013	17-38 Pre-Algebra	32-38 Numerical Skills	35-60 Arithmetic	MAT 032 Dev. Math
RDG 013	44-60 Reading	31-35 Reading	49-67 Reading	RDG 032 Dev. Reading

*Range scores are subject to change – please see your advisor. 

Students interested in taking a Challenge course should make an appointment with their advisor to review placement test scores and to obtain advisor approval. For more information, call The Learning Center at 843.574.6378.

Creative Learning Laboratory
The Creative Learning Lab is open to all students who are currently enrolled in a developmental studies course. The Creative Learning Lab contains computer workstations and provides students with computer access to tutorials, guided instruction and assessment for course work in developmental studies. Software includes word processing, spreadsheets and graphing capability in addition to courseware modules and Internet access. Lab assistants are on hand to assist students. Please call 843.574.6669 for more details.

English as a Second Language (ESL)
The College offers English as a Second Language courses to non-native English speaking students who need assistance with speaking, listening, reading and writing in the English language to be successful in college credit courses. Students interested in ESL classes should call 843.574.6323 or 843.574.6411 for more information.

Courses in ESL provide classes and laboratories that focus on specific needs of non-native speakers of English. These needs include grammar, pronunciation, writing, vocabulary, reading skills and communication. Please see the Course Description section in this catalog for details about the ESL courses.

Learning Assistance
Learning Assistance at TTC is provided in The Learning Center (920/211). Learning Assistance helps students succeed in their course work. The center provides one-to-one tutoring, videos, computer tutorials, reference materials, worksheets, informational handouts, and small group workshops to supplement learning needs in English, mathematics, physical and biological sciences, and other subjects. Consultants in The Writing Center and tutors in The Math and Science Center are available to help students practice and master the skills learned in the classroom. Learning Assistance can also assist with calculator and computer use, including orientation to TTC Express and college e-mail accounts. Students have access to computers for writing papers and using the Internet. Appointments for individual tutoring may be scheduled through the reception desk. Students should also check for schedules of small group workshop sessions offered each semester.

Whether a student needs help with developmental English or with writing a research paper, with basic arithmetic or with calculus, with English as a Second Language or problem solving on a graphing calculator, Learning Assistance has resources available. Students should contact Learning Assistance on Main Campus at 843-574-6409, on Palmer Campus at 843-722-5516 or on Berkeley Campus at 843-899-8079 for additional information or to schedule an appointment for assistance. Tutoring and resources in Learning Assistance are provided free of charge to TTC students.

Because helping others learn is a rewarding experience, students who have been successful in math, biology, Spanish, chemistry or other courses may wish to volunteer as Peer Tutors in Learning Assistance. Pick up an application from the reception desk in Learning Assistance on each campus.