Dr. Robert Pratt, a Cook County Higher Education board member, has collaborated with Higher Ed staff to publish The Academic Warrior – Becoming a Purposeful Learner. On May 10, Pratt will be the first speaker at the 2011 Guest Lecture Series, sharing some of his tips on how to study effectively.
On May 10 at 7:00 p.m., Cook County Higher Education will kick off its 2011 Guest Lecture yseries with a bang: Dr. Robert Pratt of Grand Marais will be ntalking about his new book, The Academic Warrior: Becoming a Purposeful Learner. This has been a long, educational, and ultimately exciting process for all Cook County Higher Education (CCHE). Two years ago, Executive Director Paula Sundet kWolf and Program Coordinator Kirstin van den Berg started working on a booklet with Dr. Pratt, a CCHE board member, tto complement his study skills dworkshops. Sundet said, “Before we knew it, he had enough material that we started talking ‘book.’
Today we are looking at the finished product with a feeling of pride and accomplishment.” d t “We chose to publish The Academic Warrior because hmany students, especially adult students, have limited to nonexistent study skills. Many students never actually learn how to study,” said Sundet.
“How many of you remember how difficult it was to understand your biology textbook?
The Academic Warrior: Becoming a Purposeful Learner offers tools and tips that help all students learn how to study effectively, take notes, make better use of their time, and learn how to study for tests.
“As Bob states in the text,
‘You are smarter than you think,’” said Sundet.
For the past several years, Pratt has taught a study skills workshop at CCHE. The book will complement future workshops, and according to Sundet, it will also be invaluable for all students. “It will also be a useful tool to tell our story: CCHE has a 94% completion rate, compared to the 75% national average, and we attribute much of our success to programs like Bob’s workshop,” she added.
As a small non-profit, taking on the challenge of publishing a book was not an easy step. Higher Education staff members are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with many volunteers and professionals throughout the process of refining the book. Looner Graphics did the graphic design ,with artwork by Kelly Dupre. Kaye Tavernier, Kirstin van den Berg and Paula Sundet Wolf were contributing authors and Clara Waddell and Ashley Ross contributed the student tips.
CCHE will be marketing the book locally and will soon have it available for sale on its webpage at www.boreal.org/highered. In the long term, CCHE hopes to market it to regional colleges to see if they would welcome the text as part of their college readiness programs.
Dr. Pratt (Ph.D., University of Connecticut) was born and raised in Grand Marais. He was director of services for the Pretrial Diversion Project in Hartford, Connecticut and coordinator of the graduate program in counselor education at California State University, San Bernardino, California. He is professor of counseling emeritus at Minnesota State University Moorhead and has been involved in education for over 45 years.
The guest lectures are held at Cook County Higher Education’s North Shore Campus, located at 300 West 3rd Street. The events are free and open to the public, although donations are welcome. Copies of Pratt’s book will be available to purchase ($18.95 plus tax). This event is sponsored by the Grand Marais State Bank and the Lake Superior Trading Post. Refreshments are donated by Birchbark Books and Gifts, Beth’s Fudge and Gifts, and Johnson’s Foods.
Call 218-387-3411 to register for this event.
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