Welcome to the Hot Topic Workshop site. Our mission is to connect students with resources that help them reach their educational, life, and career goals. Workshops are offered throughout the semester covering topics such as time management, test anxiety, and personal development issues. The workshops present information that facilitates learning and student performance. In addition, workshops are offered on topics and concepts presented in the SDV classes for the purpose of review and discussion.
Click here to pre-register or call (540) 857-7583 at least 24 hours prior to the sessions you plan to attend.
All sessions are at 1:00 p.m. in Webber Hall, Room 307 unless otherwise indicated with a *.
The Spring 2013 brochure and schedule is now available. Click here to download in PDF Format.
Jan 9 |
How to Use Blackboard in Your Courses - Tips and Tricks! Blackboard is a Web-based course-management system designed to allow students and faculty to participate in online classes or use online materials and activities to complement face–to-face teaching. This workshop will present information about how to use Blackboard to access course features, such as course syllabus, customizing your entry page, downloading course documents, participating in discussion boards, using the new assignment submitting feature and taking online quizzes. |
Jan 16 |
Learning Styles This session will introduce the idea of learning styles, which are your preferred ways of taking in and learning new material. Once you identify your learning style, you can determine how closely it matches the traditional teaching modalities used in higher education. You may need to develop your weaker learning styles and adopt strategies for working in class, studying, and taking exams that maximize your strengths. |
Jan 23 |
How to Use Blackboard in Your Courses - Tips and Tricks! Blackboard is a Web-based course-management system designed to allow students and faculty to participate in online classes or use online materials and activities to complement face–to-face teaching. This workshop will present information about how to use Blackboard to access course features, such as course syllabus, customizing your entry page, downloading course documents, participating in discussion boards, using the new assignment submitting feature and taking online quizzes. |
Feb 6 |
Children, Notes & Books This session will discuss studying with and around children, textbook studying techniques and note-taking skills, including math and science subjects. |
Feb 13 |
Organizing Your Study System (with Style) This session will provide helpful tips for efficient, effective study time. It will include finding your motivation for studying, organizing your course materials, using your learning style, and setting up an appropriate workplace, setting and following a study schedule and getting more out of your textbooks. A handout on tips for studying with and around children will be provided. |
Feb 20 |
Dealing with Stress Stress is a part of our daily lives and it affects us all. How do we deal with the pressures? How do we cope with "good" stress and "bad" stress? Come to this Hot Topic as we discuss the "Top Ten Stress Beaters." |
Feb 27 |
Using the Virginia Wizard for Career Planning* This is a web-based program that uses tools aimed at helping users explore careers and the applicable education needed. Focus will be on aiding students in career exploration by setting up a personal account, accessing site features, taking career assessments, and reviewing career possibilities based on Wizard assessment results. This is a great way to "kick start" your career search while learning more about specific occupations. |
March 13 |
Career Premiere 2013 - Are You Ready? This session will help you prepare for the upcoming career fair on Wednesday, March 28. Career readiness discussion topics will include: resume writing, dressing for success, meeting and greeting employers, selling yourself, interviews, and follow-up protocol. You don't want to miss this session. |
March 20 |
Money Management and Your Financial Aid Get tips and information on how to control your spending, save, as well as manage your financial aid. Join us even if you do not receive financial aid. |
April 3 |
Paraphrasing, Not Plagiarizing Paraphrasing skillfully is important in writing research papers. This workshop will provide hands-on activities in paraphrasing. |
April 10 |
Internships According to responses from employers to the Job Outlook 2010 survey, not only do they prefer candidates with experience but they also prefer candidates with relevant work experience. Internships and co-ops were cited as the preferred source of that experience. Finding an internship takes time and preparation. Discover tips to landing an internship that is right for you and open the door to career success. |
April 17 |
Just Testing This session centers mostly on skill techniques for multiple choice tests, but will also cover general testing skills for any kind of test. Test distractions, test anxiety, math test skills and essay test skills will be included if students have questions on those test subjects. |
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