Shockers Learning Out Loud Podcast

Teaches in the political science department: Political Science

Teaches in the College of Applied Studies: Applied Studies

“If people can fall in love online and never meet in real life, they can go to class online and learn.”

#1: “It’s important to walk into an online class believing this is a learning environment, that a discussion board is an environment where we can genuinely interact with other people.”

#2: “Get in there and read what you’re supposed to do, and if it asks you to do some reading or content, do that first, answer the question the way it asks you to, and then actually read what other people say and work to engage with them.”

Use AI – to start a conversation as a method to get an idea how to respond to a discussion. Chat GPT link: Chat GPT Google Bard AI: Google Bard

“You can have some Anonymity as you can make your profile picture be whatever you want it to be. For example you can have pictures of a dog, a cat, your children or whatever you want as your picture.”

“There is a kind of anonymity that being in groups a person can have that this environment doesn’t have.”

“Ultimately the best courses are the courses that create a community of learning. Participating in that community will give you the best outcome.”

Many online courses are actually going to have a place that says, “Start Here.” You should start there, or a place that says, “Introductions.”

It’s typical for instructors to want to be communicated with either through email or the course messages tool in Blackboard.

Every instructor is different when it comes to due dates and discussion board posts. Some instructors take assignments late. Some do not.

Have a dedicated learning space, where it gets you in the thought of “this is the place where I study” and let your family/friends know where it is and what it looks like.

“I think the most important thing I can say about online learning is that it’s just learning.”

55-year-old pre-social work student Support for mental health here at Wise Clinic

“I’m appreciative of this (OAL) Office. I don’t even know where I’d be if I didn’t walk through these doors.”

Admissions

I was walking across campus, and I was like, I can’t believe it. I did it. I’m here. I actually did it.

I just had all these questions. I had no financial aid set up, I had nothing.

“I had a discussion board in one of my classes on Blackboard and I went to the discussions, and I could not figure out how to reply or start anything. I walked in and Russell goes, ‘Do you see where it says create thread? You just push that button and you’re on your way.”

And you know what? This is a perfect example of poverty brain or maybe not feeling adequate or imposter syndrome. I should not be creating anything. The word create threw me off. They don’t want me to create a thread. I’m just here to answer somebody else. And it was just such a shift in my thinking and at that point it went from, I’m not an observer, I’m a participant. I’m at the table.” Osher Scholarships

Robin’s advice to other adult learners at WSU:

“Find your way into this office. You know that the people are here to support you in anyway.”

“Just be gentle with yourself. And know that the fact that you walked in the doors, you did it. Right there, you won.”

Work with Suzanne and have a success conversation

“Be kind, trust the process and be grateful.” 

Come back soon! We'll get the notes to this episode up shortly.

Notes for January podcast guest:

• Rachel Valentine Career Coach, and graduate student
• Lanie Hibbs  Program Specialist, All learning experiences such as workshops and organize and coordinate events.

The Shocker Career Accelerator helps with: Time management, Career exploration, major exploration, TAP, resume building, and mock interviews.

Adult learners have accumulated many life skills, so Shocker Career Accelerator can help recognize their strengths and what they can bring to the table.

Mock interviews are fun! Adult learners know what they are doing!

Use the STAR Acronym – assess the Situation, talk about the Task, talk about the Action, talk about the Result.

“Our ideal student is not in our office just one time, it’s not a transaction, it’s a visit and conversation and more.”

“We want to focus on building relationships.”

We have a career ready journey. It’s a continuous journey. Use it as a tool. Live out potential. Three phases. Modified for everyone. Schedule a Virtual Coaching Session

Three phases in the career ready journey.

1. Need to know – know yourself and your strengths.

2. Need to experience (seek out internships)

3. Need to act – apply for jobs.

What’s out: unpaid internships. What’s in: paid internships!

Learning Out Loud moment: Taking a summer class and learning how to learn. Lanie Hibbs

Figuring out how I learn, everyone has their strengths – Rachel Valentine

How to reach the Shocker Career Accelerator: in John Bardo Center Rm. 162, will be moving to the Marcus Welcome Center.

Social Media: Find us by searching for Shocker Career Accelerator

Phone: 316-978-3600

 

Suzanne Bentley - Online and Adult Learning (OAL) Specialist

Suzanne – Tuned into the specific challenges the adult learner and/or the online learner has. Come at the challenges with a strengths-based approach.

WSU is a strengths based campus.

Sometimes humans tend to think about what we’re not good at. We all need to be reminded of who we are and the strengths we have. We want to hear ideas from you for workshops.

Advice: Do not compare yourself to anyone! “Your situation is your situation.”

Suzanne is enrolled in a life coaching program to help with our adult learners. Any adult learner wanting to help Suzanne, help others can reach out to her Suzanne.bentley@wichita.edu

What else do our students need from us? We’d love to hear from you!! Call

Suzanne has found mentors in many people she has met. She wants to meet you, too!

Learning Out Loud Moment: Learning from our students. 

Phone: 316-978-8325

Email: oal@wichita.edu

Advice from our Adult Learners:

 

You belong. You are a student and belong in places just as much as any other student. As an adult learner at age 46 I felt like I didn't belong on campus. I have come to realize that I do belong and am working just as hard for my goals and age does not matter.

Take advantage of all of the resources available to you such as the Supplemental Instruction (SI) Sessions, academic advisors and instructor office hours.

Stay positive! It can be overwhelming trying to be an adult and go back to school, but remember you can do it! Help prove to society (especially our children or even grandchildren) just because we are an adults our dreams are still achievable! Yes we may have to work a little harder, but we too can still achieve our dreams!

Take your time even if you feel like you're already behind going back to school later in life. Enjoy learning and dont make it more stressful than it has to be. Every little bit matters, so even if you can't take all the classes, or a full load, do what you can and don't give up.

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. (More in Q4)

Don't forget you are you. And you have to take care of yourself and sometimes others. Take moments for your own personal mental health.

Never stop learning!

An advice to you, avoid beating yourself for not grasping knowledge easily. Find what works for you, and stick to it. Also, be open to a younger students method of learning. I learned very interesting ways to recall material, just by taking the advice of a recent High School graduate. Most importantly, meet people, shake their hand, and recall their name. I can’t say this enough, I frequently run into the same people I’ve met on campus outside of campus! Build your niche, because you only have this once chance to make a connection with your education and a person.

Do not give up. It can feel so overwhelming but remember you’re goal and remember that this is only temporary.

Find other adult learners, we are going through college differently from the "normal" students. Seek advice.

Find inspiration in traditional college students. As an adult learner, I have friends who are traditional students (18-22). Though our life experiences are vastly different, there are a lot of things I learn from them, including the need to constantly be learning. College isn't the same as when I started at WSU in 2000. Engaging with current students helps me in learning new skills and staying sharp in areas of growth. Learn from those younger as well as those older.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions as an adult learner. I don’t have a statistical analysis to back this up, but I would say from my own personal experience that the best way to fully learn material is by speaking up in lecture. It can be scary to do so, because of feelings of imposter syndrome that we all get from time to time. But I have found that in most cases only one of two things happen: either someone has a similar question so asking also benefits them in addition to you or your classmate would understand it already knows the answer and it further solidifies their belief on the topic. However, someone else understanding it prior to your question doesn’t imply a classmate thinks anything negative about you. Everyone is in the lecture to learn, and if you want to feel like you’re getting the most out of your time and money, ask questions! It can only help.

Start where you are, not where you think you should be. Methods to learn fluctuate over time and are as fluid as time itself. Use what works for you and keep growing every day. You will get this. You belong just like everyone else.

Remember that you are not the only adult learner at WSU! Everyone has their own career paths and timelines. Find someone supportive of your journey to help your through!

Remember everyone learns in different ways and at different speeds. Try not to compare yourself to students who may be fresh out of high school. Do your best, use your resources and remember it is okay to ask for help whenever you need it. They just want to see you succeed!

Don't overload your schedule, keep your mental health in check!

There are advisors and tutors trained to help adult students. They can help you schedule your education around families and work commitments.

Make a schedule and stick to it. A good support system is also a must!

Make it a point to introduce yourself to your instructors as well as your success coach, the ladies in the office of adult learning, and anyone else that you might need during your time at WSU. It will make it a lot easier to ask for help when you need it, and dont ever be afraid to ask for help when you need it!!!!

Dedicate a set time to complete assignments and readings. Having a schedule helps- setting out time perhaps in the evenings is very helpful. I put my headphones on a plug away on my school work in the evenings. As an adult learner and being out of school for 20 years I was very nervous to go back to school. It is sort of like riding a bike, it's still there- just had to get back into the groove again. Note taking really help as well. I am enjoying school and learning new things! It is very rewarding not only for myself, but I am showing my children that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. 

Questions and Answers

Q: What is an adult learner?

A: A student who is 24 years old or older, earning a bachelor’s degree,

Q: What is an online learner?

A: A student enrolled in an online program – many times, these students are also adult learners.

Q: What is a first generation (first gen) student?

A:  A first-generation (FGEN) college student is a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree. At Wichita State University, they are F1RST GEN SHOCKERS.

Q: What is a learning platform?

A: A webspace or portal for educational content and resources that offers a student everything they need in one place: lectures, resources, opportunities to meet and chat with other students, and more. Definition taken from mycomputercareer.com

Q: What is Blackboard?

A: Blackboard is one of the learning platforms used in higher education, and the one WSU utilizes for their students.

Q: What is a bluebook?

A: A blue-covered booklet used for writing examinations. Definition taken from MerriamWebster.com.

Q: What is a credit hour?

A: A way of measuring how much credit a student receives for attending a course which corresponds to the hours per week spent in that course. For example, if a student enrolls in a class that meets for one hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, that course would be worth three credit hours.

Q: What is a cohort?

A: Students who are educated at the same period of time—a grade level or class of students (for example, the graduating class of 2004) would be the most common example of a student cohort. Definition taken from: Cohort Definition (edglossary.org)

Terminology

BA – Bachelor’s of Arts degree. Also known as a four year degree and an undergraduate degree.

MA- Master’s of Arts degree. Also known as a graduate degree.

Graduate student – a student who has finished their undergraduate degree, enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program.

Adult learner guest: David Smith, 42 Biology Major, Minoring in Chemistry, self-appointed Adult Learning Ambassador

Quotes from David Smith:

“I wanted my own college experience. I was never going to get the traditional four year experience so, I wanted to find ways that I could pack as much college experience into my time as I could.”

“I’m not traditional in what I want to do. I’m not getting a degree in biology or pursuing a degree in biology to get a job using that degree in biology. I love biology and I love learning and so if I can get a job where I can use it, great! If I don’t, I got the degree I wanted.”

“When you’re happy, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing.”

“The reason I knew about the Office of Online and Adult Learning first of all, was because of Orientation. And coming in as a non-traditional student, especially after so many years and never really being familiarized with WSU, it was beneficial. One of those I sat in was the Office of Online and Adult Learning and I got to listen to Pam do her spiel on the office and all that it offers and to me, it was attractive because it was a place that I could come where it wasn’t the Rhatigan.”

“People will gravitate to you because you’re an adult learner, because you’re different, because you’re not their normal cohort.”

“There’s a lot more plusses to being an adult learner than I would say, there is being a negative, especially on campus with all the services they offer for anybody who attends.”

“If it’s a thought in your head to come to school, to come back to college, to get a degree, do it.”

Terminology Orientation

Office of Online and Adult Learning

TRIO DSS Disability Support Services

SI: Supplemental Instruction – a program developed to assist students with learning material in traditionally difficult classes. It is a series of weekly review sessions for students taking certain courses. SI sessions are led by a student who has previously succeeded in the course and focus on collaborative and active learning.

Shocker Learning Center

Office hours: Hours set by a professor, outside of classroom hours for students to talk to a professor about the class.

Syllabus: A syllabus provides you with information specific to a course, and it also provides information about important university policies. This document should be viewed as a course overview; it is not a contract and is subject to change as the semester evolves. It often includes the schedule of assignments, exams, projects, etc. you are expected to complete over the course of the semester as well as outcomes of the course and the grading scale. Definition source

A 52 year old business major, marketing with a focus on real estate. A minor in sports management.

“This office is a big support system for a lot of us adult learners. It’s nice to know you have somewhere to go.”

“Our School has brilliant people in it.”

“My travel comes up quite a bit in most classes. Because in every class you know the first week you have to introduce yourself and it’s what I’ve done in the last 20 years is travel. I’ve experienced it, I’ve lived it. It makes it a little more relatable, so when you hear someone, who has actually lived it and can explain int more than just what’s in the book, it makes it more 3D, so the concept comes across a little bit better. It’s not just a fantasy you’re reading in the book. It’s real life.”

“I think the biggest challenge for me, so far is that everyone just assumes I’m an instructor. Or, that I work here.” I don’t find that many disadvantages to it, that’s probably like the only thing that bugged me.”

“I don’t think I’ve found that many disadvantages to [being an adult learner]” “I haven’t run into any real disadvantages.”

“A lot of people think that maybe you come in and you’re not going go to feel like you belong. And it’s not like that at all!”

“Everyone comes in and they’re super focused. So nobody is really worried that I’m 52 and I’m a grandma.”

So they think it’s going to be so awkward, and they’re not going to be able to focus on anything else. That’s all anyone’s going to think is that you’re the oldest person in the class and it doesn’t matter. The professors don’t care and your classmates, sure enough aren’t paying attention, it doesn’t matter and it’s great and I love it!” Joe Stone Lounge

“I waited 30 years to come back to school! There is no way I’m not going to do well!”

“I think once I came to Orientation it became real.” Orientation

“The Admissions Office is very persistent. They are very good at what they do! And they wouldn’t let up. It was text message and email, so I couldn’t forget about it, because the email was always in front of me. And then finally they were just like, ‘set a date for the orientation and if you don’t like it, it’s not the end of the world’ and that was it. Once I walked into the orientation, it became really real. And I looked around and I was like, oh, I can do this.” Office of Admissions

“I think the excitement came when I sat down with my advisor...You have to use all your resources. And that’s one really important resource to use. The advisors are there for a reason. I go twice [a semester].

She calms me down first of all, and says don’t worry about it, it doesn’t have to be now, just think about it, but it has to be done eventually, but it doesn’t have to be now. So she sees me more than once a semester and she’s very helpful and she’s an amazing resource!” Advising

“That life experience is worth it’s own degree.”

“I think you need first of all, to do it for yourself, and not do it for your family. Not because your dad wants you to do it or your mom wants you to be a doctor or dentist, or lawyer. You have to do it for yourself, knowing that having the degree you’ll have a better life.” First Generation College Students

It’s work. It’s an investment. Coming back to school is absolutely an investment. Whether you’re investing money, or you’re investing time, it’s still an investment. You just have to know it’s going to take a little sacrifice, but it’s not forever.”

“It’s 16 weeks at a time.”

I was so used to being the boss, because I was, for a long time. I don’t have anyone to delegate to.”

Learning Out Loud moment: “I have to do this. Sometimes it’s a bumpy road, but it always gets done.”

TRIO – Doesn’t stand for anything, it got its name because originally there were three programs. They are federally funded and serve students all the way from middle school to college. TRIO has been at WSU for over 50 years. Ten programs at WSU. McNair. Accepting applications now through the end of March 2023 for fall. There is a research component to the program. They accept 28 students. Not a scholarship program but can get a $2,800.00 stipend at the end.

IRB – Institutional Review Board – Focuses on ethics. Ensures your research won’t harm others.

“We want them to understand the process of research.” – Ashley Cervantes

“I think almost all of my students change my perspective in some way.”

“I have certainly learned from my students.”

“My returning adult students bring a lot of different perspective. I’ve learned a lot from my returning adult students, seeing their lives, their expertise.”

“Once I got into graduate studies, it was different. My study skills worked through high school, my study skills worked through college, my undergraduate program. Once I got to graduate school, you know I really had to set aside time, so much time to read.”

“Your natural ability can only take you so far.”

“I see myself in some of my students.”

“You have all these paths you can take. That is almost paralyzing.”

“Something I try to do as McNair Director and with working with students, is affirm that you belong here. You have capacity, you have talent, you can take this opportunity to make something of it. And also, you don’t have to take a path just because it is open and in front of you. You have the choice; you can steer at this point and you can choose what you want to do.”

“I see a lot of returning adults come into the program. A lot of returning adult students are coming back and they’re like, I’m here now, I might as well keep going. And they come back with that clarity of a goal and they’re like, okay, I can achieve more. We can help you get there.”

Go to the website, or reach out to Ashley Cervantes at 316-978-3139

Episode 6: Chad Steinkamp, Director of Transfer and Adult Recruitment, Office of Admissions

Title: Busting Application & Admission Myths

Myth #1: I might be the oldest person in the class.

Fact#1: “You may be the oldest, but you may be the coolest.”

“No matter what your life looks like, you can do it. It’s very possible.”

Myth #2: The only student that Admissions is attracted to is a high achieving student.

Fact: #2: We do have some guidelines, but basically, we want to include all students.

“It’s really simple for adult students to get in.”

Myth #3: You have to have a really high ACT or SAT score.

Fact #3: You don’t need to worry about that. It doesn’t matter.

“The big thing we’re going to look at is, did you graduate high school, or did you get that GED?”

Myth #4: I did really poorly when I went to college the first time, now I’m not going to get accepted.

Fact #4: We have an exceptions process, we know sometimes that happens, and we have ways around it. There’s just one extra step, and that’s tell us your story.

“Basically, you’re just writing down your story, what happened, why you think it happened and why you think you’d make a good student now.”

Myth #5: Loading up on the max course level is the best option.

Fact#5: A lot of times, adult learners start with just one class.

“We get a lot of students who aren’t ready to dive in full time.”

Myth #6: Work obligations, family responsibilities, etc., won’t be worth it to put on my application.

Fact #6: The only time we look at that is when we go through the exceptions process.

“Work obligations, family responsibilities are very important for scholarships, and perhaps other essays you may have to write in school.”

Myth #7: Receiving a rejection letter, is far more likely than getting in.

Fact: #7: That is false. We have a very high admission rate.

We want you to be students here at Wichita State.

Myth #8: I need a letter of recommendation to get in.

Fact: #8: There is no letter of recommendation required.

“There may be a letter needed for scholarship applications. And maybe another program on campus, but for general Admissions, no letter needed.”

Myth #9: College is too expensive.

Fact #9: There are many options to help pay for college, such as Financial Aid, scholarships, and other opportunities.

“There are so many options to help with the cost. Try not to let that be the main factor of why you don’t attend.”

Myth #10: Internships won’t pay anything and being an adult learner, it’s not for me.”

Fact #10: Most internships these days are paid, and it gives you a great opportunity to network.

“Internships have come along way. Not only do you get paid, but it gives you a chance to get out there, market yourself, and build connections in the profession you want to get into.”

“You got help. You can’t do it alone. Let us help you. We will help you be successful!”