Keynote Talk

Academic Coaching — Small Steps for Big Result

Keynote Presenter

Charlotte O’Connor; Owner, Charlotte O’Connor Academic Coaching, LLC

Keynote Overview:
When forced to work remotely during the Covid era, gaps in student academic skills became apparent. Learners in the University of Michigan Medical School – who are among the best and brightest — were no less impacted. They experienced difficulties with time management, study skills, and independent completion of the challenging work required for success. Nearly universal among these heretofore top achievers was an admitted lack of metacognition and limited knowledge of learning strategies and techniques.
The academic coaching model identifies gaps in academic skills, allows for increased metacognition, and provides guided support to build confidence and increase academic performance. The academic coach can be described best as a process tutor – one who through direct instruction teaches metacognition and specific learning strategies for success.
Academic coaching provides one-on-one, individually tailored support for all learners; it is not just for those who struggle. Coaching provides learners the ability to self-assess skills gaps, understand metacognition, and apply a variety of research-based strategies to support their strengths. The coach becomes a trusted participant in the learning process who, with the learner, creates a learning plan, tracks progress toward success, and supports the elimination of behaviors that inhibit progress.

This session will introduce you to the academic coaching model, which increases student success. In addition, you will learn about resources to support best practices in the field of academic coaching.