Learning Support
Center

Learning Your Way!

CRLA
Rick's picture on backdrop of computer art
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I am the Director of PVCC's Learning Support Center. If you are a PVCC student, or have met me, you may remember me as my trademark is the hawaiian shirts I wear. The above graphic behind my picture is one of my very first computer art pictures. This one is titled "Night Sky." For more information about me and my family, click here.

I also have the pleasure of serving as President of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) this year. It is a wonderful organization grounded in providing its members with opportunities to share information, best practices, and research both locally and globally, through a wonderful annual conference, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), State/Region/Chapter meetings and events, a journal, quarterly electronic News Notes, email e-blasts, and a webpage. I just finished as President-elect and the 2007 Conference chair for the 2007 CRLA Conference in Portland, Oregon, Oct. 31-Nov. 3.

"No One of Us is as Smart as All of Us" (Anonymous), is a quote I live by. To live it means that decisions should be grounded in input and thoughtfulness from stakeholders (current and potential). The key to success is to build effective communication and synergy in solving problems and providing services.

Personal Mission: I want to continue to learn, grow, enjoy, and create; to integrate a part of me into all that I do. (excerpt from my Thoughts In Verse "As I Grow Up" in MS Word).
NOTE: If you are using a home computer that does not have MS Word, download a Free MS Word viewer from Microsoft. It will view, copy, and print MS Word, MS Works, WordPerfect, and web files.

AAA115

CRLA2007 Conference

Dissertation: The Effects of Training and Experience on Adult Peer Tutors in Community Colleges

Dreamweaver Training

PowerPoint
Training

E&OL: Employee & Organizational Learning Team

LSCHE: Learning Support Centers in Higher Education

In Memory..

2005 Self-Study

Technology Training at PVCC

TIDE: Technology Institute for Developmental Educators

 My Lists of Links

Links to some of my current and past projects:

In Memory ...

Verses and graphics of PVCC colleagues and friends who have died or become terminally ill while working at PVCC during its first twelve years of existence.


Learning Support Centers in Higher Education (LSCHE):
Sponsored by LSCHE Director, Frank Christ, through a joint effort of the University of Arizona and the Maricopa Community Colleges. This web portal of resources related to Learning Support Centers is a joint venture through Paradise Valley Community College, with Rick Sheets as its webster and the University of Arizona, with Frank Christ as editor and consultant.

PVCC Self-Study Web Page
The Self-Study began in the fall of 2002 with the appointment of Dr. Rick Vaughn, a faculty member in Mathematics, as Self-Study Coordinator. Both a web page and a Blackboard site were used as a resource of a "work in progress." The web page captures much of the processes of the PVCC steering team. The accreditation visit by the Higher Learning Commission Evaluation/Consultant Team was February 28-March 2, 2005. PVCC received the full 10-year accreditation. The web page was created by Rick Vaughn & Rick Sheets and maintained by Rick Sheets.


2007 CRLA Conference came to Portland, Oregon with a FOCUS ON LEARNING: STUDENT, STAFF, & ORGANIZATIONAL. The "Three Dimensions of Learning" are grounded in theories of constructivism, metacognition, experiential learning, student development, professional development, and organizational development.

My published LAC-related research:

  1. Christ, F.L., Sheets, R. A. and K. Smith (Eds.) Starting a Learning Assistance Center. Clearwater, FL: H & H Publishing Company, Inc., 109-116.

    A CRLA (national College Reading & Learning Association) Monograph, in which reknowned LAC colleagues are engaged in a conversation to address LAC administrator needs and situations. Also includes an extensive (116 reference) bibliography section and a chapter of thought provoking scenarios.
  2. Sheets, R. A., (1994). The effects of training and experience on adult peer tutors in community colleges. Doctoral Dissertation, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.

    It examines the history and literature and identifies the need for training tutors using research on Constructivism and Metacognition as foundations for training. The full dissertation is in the process of being placed online. It will ultimately have full links to all parts of the dissertation with downloadable documents in Word format.
  3. Rings, S., & Sheets, R. A. (1991). Student development and metacognition: Foundations for tutor training. Journal of Developmental Education. 15(1), 30-32.
    Abstract

    Discusses the need and reasons for training based on research in Student Development and Metacognition theories.

  4. Sheets, R. A., & Rings, S. (1989). Ideas in Practice: Tailor-Made Study Strategies: A Success Story. Journal of Developmental Education.12(3), 22-24
    Abstract

    Explores success in teaching content-based study strategies to unlikely students in concert with regular occupational program instruction    .

Other Maricopa links of interest:


Other links of interest:

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Rick A. Sheets' Home Page through Paradise Valley Community College
© 1997 -- This page last modified: 2007-12-29
Questions and comments to: Dr. Rick A. Sheets at rick.sheets@pvmail.maricopa.edu
http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/~sheets/