The 18th Annual Winter Institute for Learning Assistance Professionals was held in Tucson, January 05 to 10, 1997, sponsored by the University Learning Center, University of Arizona.

The institute program, focusing on "Teaching and Learning." and their relationship to learning assistance programs and services, brought together 60 participants who came from more than 51 postsecondary institutions for a weeklong learning experience designed around a unique institute philosophy that emphasized ten Winter Institute characteristics, including collegiality, common learning experiences, mentoring, readiness for and closure to institute presentations. See "What is Philosophy of the Winter Institutes?"

The ten mentors for this year's institute were David Arendale (University of Missouri), David Caverly (Southwest Texas University), Frank Christ (University of Arizona), Gwyn Enright (San Diego CC), Bradley Hughes (University of Wisconsin), Gene Kerstiens (formerly of Scottsdale CC), Martha Maxwell (Emerita, UC Berkeley), Wilbert McKeachie (University of Michigan), Rick Sheets (Paradise Valley CC), and Karen Smith (Rutgers University).

The program began on Sunday evening at the Viscount Suites Hotel with an informal cheese and wine social during which participants introduced themselves. Sylvia Mioduski and Frank Christ gave short briefings on the program and ancillary activities and then introduced the institute mentors and presenters. Following the group social, each mentor convened his/her group and held the first institute mentoring session at which participants had an opportunity to socialize and ask questions about the institute activities.

On Monday morning, participants gathered for breakfast in the Viscount Suites Garden Court at special reserved tables with their assigned mentors to develop readiness for the day's presentations which included a keynote address by noted author and faculty trainer, Dr. Wilbur McKeachie, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, with responses by three of the mentors for this institute. One participant commented that Dr. McKeachie's presentation was a "very good lead in" and that his "Very honest, down-to-earth no nonsense approach was refreshing.".

The first institute luncheon, held in the Garden Court, was designed as a networking activity to give participants from similar institutions an opportunity to exchange introductions and discuss common problems of their learning assistance programs and services. Following the luncheon, Dr. Karen Smith, Director of Learning Resources, Rutgers University, presented on Teaching/Learning Styles followed by an open question and answer period.

The first of the daily late afternoon mentor small group meetings was held to allow participants to give feedback and get closure on the day's presentations.

The first series of many SIG's (Special Interest Groups) were held Monday evening. SIG'S are suggested by participants and may be participant led. SIG's included LD, Writing Centers, and Tutor Training,

On Tuesday morning, Dr. Bradley Hughes, Director of Writing Across the Curriculum, University of Wisconsin at Madison, focused on the teaching/learning aspects of college composition. Some participant comments described Dr. Hughes presentation as "...informative, practical, useful..." with "clear and specific strategies for writing assistance for both faculty and students."

Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Peter Kresan, a University of Arizona professor of geology, described the UA program in learning assistance for geology students.. One participant commented that Dr. Kresan was "very helpful getting me to conceptualize how peers may help instruction in our science curriculum." Another named it her "favorite session --shows how to connect learning center and faculty in a way that benefits students." Another called it "a great example of faculty change and creativity."

Tuesday evening, in addition to SIG's, the institute computer lab opened for participants for web surfing, email, and document writing.
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Dinner-on-the-town, a Winter Institute tradition, saw participants traveling in small groups to Tucson restaurants.

On Wednesday morning, there was an unexpected event: snow in Tucson -- which lasted all of an hour before the Arizona sun melted it. David Arendale, president of NADE (National Association of Developmental Education) and a Director of the Supplemental Instruction instituted at University of Missouri in Kansas City, presented on SI. Among participant comments were these: "best list of resources I have yet to find" and "most informative and thought provoking in the sense of how to modify for use in my institution."

In the afternoon, as a well deserved break from the Institute presentations, participants had a choice of activities that included shopping, field trips to the University of Arizona and Pima County community colleges, and, sightseeing. One group traveled to Siera Vista for .

Dr. David Caverly, Southwest Texas University, presented on reading as a teaching/learning activity. .....

Thursday afternoon included a hands-on experience for all participants that has become a standard activity at each annual institute. This year's program emphasized surfing the Internet and creating web pages. One participant commented that "the mystic of web page creation was replaced with the feeling that we can do this at our center and college."

Friday, a showcase for learning assistance related professional associations with xxxx as institute guest

Next Steps, a unique exercise that concludes every institute was led by Frank Christ. During this session, participants reviewed their notes on the week's activities and then shared their notes with another participant. Next, in small groups, they discussed what differences these activities can make when they return to their campuses. Each group made a wall chart of their practical "back home Monday morning "to do's" with each group's leader making a presentation to the whole group. When all wall charts were posted and explained, everyone was invited to "steal from themselves" by making up his or her individual list from the group lists on display. Click here to see the master list collated from the six group lists that were drawn up at this activity. This last session ended with participants completing their evaluation
forms. Click here to review Institute evaluations.

The Winter Institute concluded with a festive luncheon at which mentors gave Certificates of Completion to members of their groups.

Excerpts from participant evaluations

1.I liked the mentor group meetings for breakfast. It helped focus the day and get to know people better. I felt that this was an intense experience, but it had been organized to keep people fresh (as much as possible).

2. The midweek break is a great feature; it allows for some rejuvenation.