Centers for Independent Learning
College of DuPage

(630) 942-2131
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> Skills Development

Locations
- Bloomingdale
- Glen Ellyn
- Naperville
- Westmont

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Skills Development Courses

Skills Development courses are for anyone interested in improving or upgrading their skills for college-level work. Courses in basic reading, English, math and study skills are available in a variety of learning formats at the Glen Ellyn Center for Independent Learning (CIL) and the Learning Commons at Bloomingdale, Naperville and Westmont.

Students directly out of high school with a strong desire to succeed in college often take study skills or other developmental courses to ensure a good introduction to college-level demands. In addition to serving these students, the Skills Development program attracts prospective students who have a desire to attend college, but have not been in a formal learning environment since high school. Also, DuPage residents who are anticipating job changes or job advancements might need work on writing skills, math or critical reading skills to enhance their abilities.

The Skills Development program offers the following courses through the CILs.
The Study Skills Seminar is a two-day seminar designed to help students improve their study strategies. Students learn about time management and concentration techniques, taking and using notes, understanding personal learning styles, test-taking techniques, and increasing reading and study efficiency. An assignment between the two seminar days allows students to apply what they are learning to actual content-area work. The seminar is offered three times a year – in fall, spring and summer. Contact the Center for Independent Learning in Glen Ellyn at (630) 942-2186 for more information.

Individualized, Appointment-Based Courses
Skills courses are offered in an individualized appointment-based course format through the Glen Ellyn Center for Independent Learning (CIL) and the Learning Commons at Bloomingdale, Naperville and Westmont. Students meet with an instructor once a week and follow a syllabus to guide instruction. The instructor acts as a facilitator of instruction, and the student does study work at home or in one of the CILs using a wide variety of print material, computer-delivered programs or audio/video presentations. One-credit, two-credit, three-credit and four-credit courses are available:
English 0481, Approaches to College Reading I, 4 credits
English 0482, Approaches to College Reading II, 4 credits
English 0491, Approaches to College Writing I, 4 credits
English 0492, Approaches to College Writing II, 4 credits
Communications 0414, Spelling I: Regular Patterns, 1 credit
Communications 0415, Spelling II: Irregular Patterns and Words Often Confused, 1 credit
Communications 0431, Effective Sentences, 1 credit
Reading 0418, Basic Reading I, 2 credits
Reading 0419, Basic Reading II, 2 credits
Reading 0461, Vocabulary: Context and Word Structure, 1 credit
Reading 0471, Study Skills, 1 credit

Courses are listed in the myAccess under English, Communications and Reading.
Contact the centers for other skills courses not listed in the myAccess

Study Skills Seminar
The Study Skills Seminar is a two-day seminar designed to help students improve their study strategies. Students learn about time management and concentration techniques, taking and using notes, understanding personal learning styles, test-taking techniques, and increasing reading and study efficiency. The seminar is offered three times a year – in fall, spring and summer. Contact the Center for Independent Learning in Glen Ellyn at (630) 942-3945 for more information.

Study Skills Classroom Course
For those who would rather learn study techniques in a classroom setting, the Skills Development program offers a classroom course every term. The course focuses on developing a variety of study techniques utilizing the student’s current textbook material. Course days and times are listed in myAccess under READING. This course is listed as Reading 0471 as a 1-credit course.

Reading Requirement Courses
Students required to take a reading course to fulfill the college’s Reading Competency Requirement may do so by taking English 0481 or 0482 in an individualized learning format. These courses are delivered in the appointment-based format where a student meets weekly with an instructor and is guided through the syllabus.

Students with Learning Disabilities
Students can take basic reading, English, math and/or study skills with an instructor who is specifically trained to help students with learning disabilities. Emphasis is placed on helping students acquire the study strategies that are necessary to survive in their college-level courses.

For more information, call (630) 942-3945.