Article 6:
Identifying Learner Strengths and Weaknesses: Utilizing the LASSI as Part of a Retention Strategy
by Timothy S. Pure, Ed.M.,
Rutgers-Camden Learning Center, Rutgers University

Introduction
At the Rutgers-Camden Learning Center, an integral part of the Rutgers-Camden campus, the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory is frequently utilized as part of the academic coaching program. In addition, the LASSI is also used in the Continued Probation Intervention Program, as well as in the Educational Opportunity Fund's Summer Institute. We have found the LASSI to be an excellent tool for encouraging students to discuss their learning strengths and weaknesses, as well as a vehicle for addressing areas of academic need. For the purposes of this article, we will detail our usage of the LASSI for students on continued probation as an example of the usefulness of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory.

LASSI and the Continued Probation Intervention Program
Rutgers-Camden students whose cumulative grade point average falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive semesters are placed on continued probation by the Rutgers-Camden Scholastic Standing Committee (SSC). Students on continued probation are required by the SSC to attend meetings throughout the semester with the Learning Specialist, as part of the Continued Probation Intervention Program. The Intervention Program utilizes an intrusive advising model to facilitate students returning to good academic standing.

Students meet with the Rutgers-Camden Learning Specialist on a bi-weekly basis and discuss topics such as time management, test taking skills, study skills, self-advocacy, strategic reading, and goal setting. One of the first questions posed to a student on continued probation is: "Tell me your learning strengths and weaknesses? What skills help you succeed? What areas of weakness are inhibiting your success?" Often, students are at a loss to describe the metacognitive skills that help them learn effectively. Many students report never having discussed learning strengths and weaknesses during their educational careers.

The LASSI is administered to students on continued probation during the first meeting with the Learning Specialist. The results are discussed, as a way to initiate the conversation about the student's academic strengths and weaknesses, and how these may be playing a role in the student's performance in college. Of the ten LASSI scales, students on continued probation frequently score lowest in attitude, motivation, self testing, and time management.

These four scales play a critical role in the outcomes of students. A student who scores low in self testing, for example, frequently prepares poorly for exams and misidentifies the most important items to study. We utilize these scores to begin an initial conversation about study skills, test taking strategies, goals, and the importance of maintaining a balanced schedule. In addition, this information can also be used to make appropriate referrals to other campus resources. A student who scores low on the attitude scale is often encouraged to meet with a representative from Career Services and seek a major or field in which the student would find greater motivation.

Conclusion
At the Rutgers-Camden Learning Center, we have utilized the LASSI to help students begin to identify the metacognitive processes that lay behind effective learning.  A student who can identify learning strengths and weaknesses is in a better position to be a more active learner, in charge of his or her own education. As such, "human freedom and agency are grounded in the ability to consider possibilities and chart more self-determined courses of action" (Lapan, p. 13). Our future plan for the LASSI includes using it as a post-test so as to better evaluate the changes a student undergoes during academic coaching, a plan we will trial this summer during the Educational Opportunity Fund’s 2009 Summer Institute.

Sources:
Lapan, R. (2004). Career Development Across the K-16 Years. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

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