College Readiness: Building A Bridge to Success

College Readiness: Building A Bridge to College Success for First Gen Students!

The problem: Only 1 in 4 First Generation College students earn their degree. Research consistently demonstrates a clear advantage of continuing-education students in comparison to their first-generation counterparts. This advantage is present during college/university and continues after graduation impacting first-generation students’ income and wealth. For example, first-generation students are less likely to be taught to learn effectively and afforded external sources of support.
Sources: Pew Research Center, 2019 & 2021; NCES, 2011

Learning is a scientific process, and for students to learn optimally they must be taught. This is true regardless of cognitive abilities and disposition towards learning. Failure to do so leaves students relying on ineffective techniques such as highlighting and re-reading, with limited success. Such strategies are rooted in the misconception about learning.
robert-bjork
Robert Bjork
COGx Academic Partner & Professor of Psychology, UCLA; Bjork Learning & Forgetting Lab

Our Solution

How can we expedite the opportunity for first-generation students to master the science of learning? By providing accessible, application-ready programming to colleges and universities for first-generation students and ensuring fidelity of implementation with ample training for the educators who will lead and facilitate such programs. 

This COGx program is designed to equip students with essential skills for thriving in college. Drawing from the science of learning, it focuses on teaching effective learning techniques and strategies tailored to individual needs. This 12-14 hour program, comprises of 7 modules along with carefully curated synchronous and asynchronous components.  Through practical workshops, students learn to enhance their retention, executive function, metacognition, comprehension, and critical thinking, ensuring they enter college with confidence and competences.

What Students Learn

Building Habits for Learning Success

Understand the science behind habits and productive habit formation. Dispel common misunderstandings about how habits are created and maintained. Explore the concept of desirable difficulties and practice methods to persevere through difficult tasks. Learn how to make meaningful changes in your routine that last.

Unlearning & Relearning

Learning is something you will do for life. There is a proper way to learn efficiently and effectively. Learn about the common misconceptions of learning and some basic necessities for learning to occur. Discover how to manage challenging emotions and uncover your mindset related to learning. Develop the habits of mind and routines to achieve what is possible for you.

Mastering Memory (Encoding & Retrieval)

Do you often re-read, highlight, underline and/or forget what you study? Have you ever crammed before a test? Studies show that the most commonly used strategies to study are the most ineffective ones for learning. Furthermore, compelling research reveals that encoding techniques and retrieval strategies improve learning dramatically. Master evidence-based techniques to learn and retain what you learn.

Self Regulation & Executive Function

You are expected to pay attention in class, organize the materials and content, and ultimately use it in and out of the classroom. Yet, rarely are we taught to do this effectively or consciously. Executive function skills, such as time management and organizing, have been found to predict success in school and beyond. Learn about the monitoring and managing skills needed before, during and after learning activities occur.

Metacognition: Monitor & Control

One of the most powerful actions you can take to improve your learning outcomes is to learn metacognitive awareness skills. In fact, research shows that students who have strong metacognition are up to one year ahead of their peers. Discover how to think metacognitively and reflect on your learning. Learn how to determine if the methods you’re using are effective and when to try a different approach.

How Students Learn

Facilitators use the following instructional design to  guide students through the program.

Priming Activities

Priming activities prepare students' brains for learning and make it easier to understand the material later on.

Collaboration

Interaction with other students on discussion boards and during live classes.

Storytelling

Students learn from their peers' educational trajectories and share their own prior experiences at school.

Video Micro-Lessons

Students watch video micro-lessons make the information tangible and relevant.

About

Our program, Becoming a Sophisticated Learner, provides students with a User’s Guide to learning and the brain. We teach students how the brain processes information and what behaviors promote optimal learning. Graduates of this program will have an arsenal of science-based tools that enable them to monitor their learning and master what they are taught. The program consists of 6 modules of active and collaborative learning. It is complemented with live classes that support students through guided practice. There are several versions of the program for students in middle school preparing for high school as well as those preparing for success in college.

How Students Learn

Program Leaders answer questions and lead the live classes. Interaction with other students on discussion boards and during live classes.
Students learn from other people’s stories and share their own experiences.
Priming activities act like movie trailers. They prime (or prepare) students' brains for learning and make it easier to understand the material later on.
Students watch video micro-lessons make the information come alive.
Application guides are study guides. Students can print them out or store them on their computer for easy reference.
Students engage their creative side while writing and making videos.
When we study, we try to get information into our brain. Ironically, an effective way to do this is to pull information out of our brain is effective.
Students make meaning of what they're learning and understand themselves as a learner through reflection.
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Creative Expression

Students are engaged through creativity and invited to respond in a variety of modes including writing and video.

Retrieval Practice

Students engage in frequent retrieval practice including elaboration, spacing, self- testing, and interleaving.

Application Guides

Application guides are study guides. Students can print them out or store them on their computer for easy reference.

Reflection

Students make meaning of what they're learning and understand themselves as a learner through reflection.

Authentic Assessment

Students demonstrate their learning to authentic audiences of their peers and b eyond.

COGx Student Testimonial

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