-----------------------
Minca Davis-Brantley, PsyD
Office: Social Sciences Department 2256-6
Email: mdavisbr@mdc.edu
Web address: http://faculty.mdc.edu/mdavisbr
305-237-1876
OFFICE HOURS:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 7:55AM to 8:25AM *Dr. Davis-Brantley is available in her physical office as well as, available via Skype (Skype name: mincadb) and Google Talk Instant Messenger (IM Name: drminca1) during office hours.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Ooten, Cheryl (2003). Managing the Mean Math Blues. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Abascal, J.R., Brucato, L., Stephenson, P., & Brucato, D. (2009). Essential Elements for effectiveness: A step by step guide to personal and professional effectiveness (4th edition). Boston: Pearson Custom.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The psychological principles and techniques we will apply in this course are useful in all areas of your life: personal, professional, social, and emotional contexts. In this learning community we will specifically apply the psychological concepts, techniques, and strategies to improve your success in mathematics. We will focus on using the techniques and strategies of psychology to reduce math anxiety, foster confidence and improve outcomes.
Students in the learning community must register for all three courses to enhance flexibility of time usage, foster cohesion, and a sense of belongingness among students and forge links between the disciplines studied.
While the emphasis early in the course will be primarily on success attitudes and strategies in math, we will expand our focus to include understanding the psychological principles and applying strategies in the areas of personal awareness, interpersonal relations, communication, and work/career development. Throughout the course we will examine learning to learn, active listening, communication skills, creative thinking, problem solving, stress mastery, goal-setting, self-motivation, group effectiveness skills, and