Course Description – UNIV 211

Upper Springboard is a graded, one credit-hour course designed for students who want to advance their personal and academic development in a dynamic and interactive setting. Students build a new level of self-assurance by doing what they already know in the areas of presentation, writing, group interaction and analytical thinking. It further enables students to assess their proficiency, on a deeper level, and strategically plan for growth academically and personally.

There are no Coaches in Upper Springboard, and instead students use each other for a source of feedback and support. This dynamic creates an open and engaging environment for students to participate actively in weekly activities and excel in areas for development.

This class is recommended for first and second-year students and is only offered in the Spring Semester.

Course Format

Upper Springboard is an opportunity to gain insight and learn how to use your individual strengths as part of a team or small group. To further improve your effectiveness as a group member, each week you will meet as a class to participate in activities designed to target and relate specific learning outcomes to group dynamics and behaviors (see sample activities below). These activities range from video taped impromptu presentations and leaderless roundtable discussions to minor writing assignments and community building activities. Following the activities, you and your fellow team members will meet to discuss, assess and apply the days' events to discover more opportunities for personal development.

Sample Activities

10 Steps to Becoming an Expert:
Students are assigned to teach an activity to the entire class, taking into account the three learning styles discussed in class (Visual, Audio and Kinesthetic). For this activity you are to assume that the class has no prior knowledge of how to do what you are teaching. Your goal is to have the class complete the action you are teaching in 5 minutes by using 10 steps for explanation. You must make sure that your presentation incorporates all types of learners and their preferences.