How can the Kortschak Center assist students academically?
Through individual academic guidance, workshops, academic support groups, and the availability of quiet study spaces, the KCLC provides support to help students make successful transitions to college. The following programs and services are available for students. Please note: the Academic Coaching Program is available for undergraduate students only.
- Tools and Resources
- On Demand Workshops
- Weekly Drop-In Hours
- Academic Coach Program
- Computer Lab
- Quiet Study Room
How can staff or faculty refer a student to the Kortschak Center for learning support?
Check our Events calendar for the most up to date drop-in hours. These do not require an RSVP and students can come in for assistance. If a student would like to make an appointment with our office, email kortschakcenter@usc.edu.
What if a student has a learning difference associated with a disability?
If a student has a documented disability and needs in-class accommodations, they must currently be registered with Office for Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) and provide an accommodation letter which outlines their accommodations. The most common disability accommodations professors work with are extra time on exams and class notes. Upon receiving an accommodation letter from the student, professors must discuss confidentially the needs of each student and how accommodations will be provided. For note-taking, it is ideal that professors post their notes; this not only assists students with disabilities but makes learning more accessible to all students.
Does the Kortschak Center visit classes for workshops/outreach?
Yes. Personnel from the Kortschak Center can visit classes to present on topics such as note-taking, study skills, time management, goal setting, and organization. Please visit the Request a Workshop
or Professor Kortschak page for more information.
How can a professor best motivate not only those students who learn differently but all students?
By creating a dynamic, interactive, warm, open, caring, flexible, and supportive classroom. Presenting material from a student’s learning perspective and not necessarily the professor’s preferred teaching style can assist greatly. Straight lectures can work part of the time but a multi-modal approach works most of the time by bringing the material alive. Accepting regular feedback from the class provides professors with insight into teaching effectiveness. All students at USC are capable. They simply need to gain motivation and insight into their learning by professors who provide options for acquiring knowledge and displaying knowledge. If you would like to discuss with one of our staff, visit our Consultation page.
What are the best ways to assess student learning and provide a more supportive and flexible classroom?
It depends on the student because we all have our best ways of acquiring and retaining information. Therefore, ideally, there should be options that allow students to really show what they know whether that be through papers, oral exams, field trips, presentations, essay exams, multiple-choice, projects, group-work, community involvement, interviews, film-making, and so forth. Some of the brightest students may be unable to display their knowledge if there is only one way of evaluation. Professor’s notes should be posted, videos captioned, review sessions offered with emphasis on checking for understanding and student engagement.