Alexis DeCicca

Learn​er Portfolio

Alexis DeCicca
Reading 116
Mrs. Hayes
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Alexis DeCicca

Reading and Study Skills My Educational Journey

It all started when I was little. I struggled with school because I have a learning
disability. It was hard for me to read and write but it got better as time went on. I had speech to
help me get better with my reading and writing skills. I improved a lot. I had to work twice as
hard as other students but I managed really well. My teachers wanted to hold me back almost
every year of Elementary school. I proved them wrong. They were all proud of what I
accomplished. After I succeeded Elementary school it was time for middle school.
I also had extra help in sixth grade. I was in a reading lab and had resource room. I
accomplished good grades in my reading lab and didn’t need to take it the next year. I was
gradually improving my reading skills by a grade each year. I understood more words and my
comprehension level was improving. When I got to high school I had a lot of homework and it
was tough. I spent many hours a night working on it. It all paid off though. Even when my
reading level wasn’t at a high school level my teachers thought I was doing really well. I studied
with my resource teacher. They didn’t even realize my reading level was at an eighth grade
level. I have come a long way and I will continue to work hard. High school has prepared me
for college. I am a better reader now that I read more books in class and outside of class. All of
my teachers thought I would do really well in college because I’m a hard worker; and make sure
my work is the best it can be. College is a new beginning.
I knew that TC3 was the right choice for me because there is so many resources
available; tutors, synergy, and study groups. My goal is to transfer to a four year school and then
eventually get a job that I love. In order to be successful at my job, I have to have good reading
and writing skills. My reading and writing skills will help me throughout my life.
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Alexis DeCicca

Visual Kinesthetic Auditory

15 11 9
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Alexis DeCicca
Reading and Study Skills 116

I had to do a sensory modality inventory for my reading 116 class. I answered several
questions to see if I’m a visual, kinesthetic, or auditory learner. I got the highest result in visual
learning. I agree with my results.
I know that I’m a visual learner because I need to visualize something in order to keep it
in my mind. It helps when an instructor writes notes on the board because then I can look at it
another time. This also helps me with studying. I remember something better if the instructor
discusses a topic but also writes it on the board. In English class I like to see vocab on the board
because it helps me to learn the vocab better. By studying for math, the only way to know how
to do the problem is to work it out on paper. I like actually doing a problem and not just talking
about a problem. Then I will know how to do the problem the next time. I know numerous
amount of new things about me.
Even though my highest result was visual, I also like hearing information while seeing it
too. I know now that I learn best when someone is explaining something to me but I’m also
visualizing it too. I like to write flash cards occasionally when I have a vocab test for English.
It helps me to be more organized. I need to write down directions or else I won’t remember
them. Especially directions to do homework or find a place. I am a visual leaner because I need
to see and write it down the information to have the best outcome.
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Reading and Study Skills

9-23-13

Time Management

I spread out my time between going to class, eating, doing chores, and relaxing with
family and friends. I try to use my time productively. I spend most of the time doing
homework/studying during the week. I am a hard worker and when assignments are due I want
to get them done on time. I go to class each day and pay attention in class. I usually meet my
twin sister for lunch after class so I can hang out with her. I’m busy with homework most of the
time during the week because I have different assignment due. During the weekend I have more
time to relax.

My next time management that I do is leisure time. My mom and brother are really close
to me so I try to talk to them during the week. One of my roommates is my twin sister. I hang
out with my sister a lot. We do everything together. My least thing that I spend my time with is
chores. I spend about an hour and a half for doing laundry and putting out the trash. Working
hard in school will make me a successful student. I will achieve good grades and move up to the
next class. I would want to change my time management to have more time to relax and exercise
more.

I am glad that I spend much of my time on school work but I would want to relax more. I
also think I should get outside more and take a walk. Not only just for class but to enjoy the
fresh air. I also want to spend more time on talking to my family and friends. I think overall that
I spend my time wisely.
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Reading and Study Skills

Multiple Intelligences
I have taken an inventory in my reading and study skills class that discusses what
intelligence type I fall into. There were seven categories that I chose from; linguistic,
logical-mathematical, musical, bodily kinesthetic, spatial-visual, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.
My results concluded that I understand the most about myself; which is intrapersonal and my
second highest was logical mathematical. I got a total of five for linguistic, thirty seven for
logical-mathematical, twenty six for musical, twenty for bodily-kinesthetic, twenty one for
spatial-visual, and eighteen for interpersonal. I agree with my results.
My results are accurate because I am self-aware and I am involved in changing my
personal thoughts. I think a lot and try to understand things clearly before I act on something. I
know what I want most of the time. I can also relate to others and the world around me. I have
motivation to complete my personal goals. Strengths and weaknesses are important to me so I
can keep moving forward. Confidence and self-responsibility are key abilities to accomplish
anything.
Overall I think that I have an intrapersonal intelligence. I know a lot about myself but I
also relate to others. I like to think about my actions and help others. I’m good at solving
problems and detecting problems. I wouldn’t change anything about me; I’m happy how I have
become.
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Hemispheric Dominance Chart

Reading and Study Skills

Global Learner​: Linear Learner​:

2 2
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Reading and Study Skills

Hemispheric Dominance

When I did the survey my results were two b’s and two a’s. My overall interpretation
was having possibly no dominance; flexible in learning style. Some examples of the questions
that I picked are in the following sentences. I like dealing with others in a structured manner. I
also believe in having hunches and following them. When I buy something new I usually read
the directions and carefully follow them. I agree with the results.
I am a linear learner and a global learner. I’m a linear learner because I prefer
information that provides specific details, words, numbers, and logical arguments. I also tend to
do well in math and social science. I have trouble interpreting a short paragraph, class
discussions, and creative writing. However, I also have results from being a global learner. I
like to see information in the form of pictures and diagrams. I also like to write poetry and to
draw. I learn from both point of views.
I think I will adapt well in a global or linear class. If they are doing something I don’t
like then I can just add notes so I can visualize it myself. Even though I’m not the best in class
discussions, I can improve the more I do. By not having specific details I can look it up on my
own. I can also ask my professor questions when I need it. Tutors are always there to help me
too. Overall I think I am mostly a linear learner because I like to see what’s in front of me.
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Reading and Study Skills

Social Inventory
1) When shopping, running errands, or working I usually try to go with friends.

2) When something is very important to me, I seek the advice of others.

3) For a grade in chemistry class I would prefer to work with a lab partner.

4) When working with groups in class, I would rather work with group for whole task.

5) I prefer instructors who include discussion and group activities as part as the class.

6) When listening to a speaker, I respond more to the person ideas.

7) When facing with difficult personal problems, I discuss them with others.

8) For a summer job, I would prefer working alone.

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Social Learning Preferences Chart

Social Learning (A)​ ​Individual Learning (B)

6 2
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Reading and Study Skills

Social Learning Preferences

I had to take a social learning inventory in class that resulted in either working with
others or preferring to work alone. My results concluded that I work better with others. My total
for working with others were six and working alone was two. Because I know how I am, I agree
with my results.
They’re many reasons why I like to be social with others. When I’m doing group
assignments in English class, I can get many different feedbacks. In math class, it helps to see
what everyone’s answer because there could only be one answer. I like working with groups in
class on an assignment but outside of class I would rather work alone on a power point because I
can concentrate more. Knowing my preferences on social learning can help become a better
student at Tc3.
My grade will improve because I know when to work with a group or be alone. I know
when to ask others for help when I need it the most. When I want to work alone, I can put my
own thoughts and time into my assignment. It’s important to know when to ask for help or try to
understand something for yourself first. I like to work with others but sometimes I need to think
for myself.
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My Top Five Strength Quest Results Are:

Achiever
Harmony
Empathy
Relator
Belief
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Reading and Study Skills

Strengths Quest
Achiever
Your Achiever theme helps explain your drive. Achiever describes a constant need for achievement. You feel as if
every day starts at zero. By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about
yourself. And by “every day” you mean every single day — workdays, weekends, vacations. No matter how much
you may feel you deserve a day of rest, if the day passes without some form of achievement, no matter how small,
you will feel dissatisfied. You have an internal fire burning inside you. It pushes you to do more, to achieve more.
After each accomplishment is reached, the fire dwindles for a moment, but very soon it rekindles itself, forcing you
toward the next accomplishment. Your relentless need for achievement might not be logical. It might not even be
focused. But it will always be with you. As an Achiever you must learn to live with this whisper of discontent. It
does have its benefits. It brings you the energy you need to work long hours without burning out. It is the jolt you
can always count on to get you started on new tasks, new challenges. It is the power supply that causes you to set the
pace and define the levels of productivity for your work group. It is the theme that keeps you moving.
Harmony
You look for areas of agreement. In your view there is little to be gained from conflict and friction, so you seek to
hold them to a minimum. When you know that the people around you hold differing views, you try to find the
common ground. You try to steer them away from confrontation and toward harmony. In fact, harmony is one of
your guiding values. You can’t quite believe how much time is wasted by people trying to impose their views on
others. Wouldn’t we all be more productive if we kept our opinions in check and instead looked for consensus and
support? You believe we would, and you live by that belief. When others are sounding off about their goals, their
claims, and their fervently held opinions, you hold your peace. When others strike out in a direction, you will
willingly, in the service of harmony, modify your own objectives to merge with theirs (as long as their basic values
do not clash with yours). When others start to argue about their pet theory or concept, you steer clear of the debate,
preferring to talk about practical, down-to-earth matters on which you can all agree. In your view we are all in the
same boat, and we need this boat to get where we are going. It is a good boat. There is no need to rock it just to
show that you can.
Empathy
You can sense the emotions of those around you. You can feel what they are feeling as though their feelings are
your own. Intuitively, you are able to see the world through their eyes and share their perspective. You do not
necessarily agree with each person’s perspective. You do not necessarily feel pity for each person’s predicament —
this would be sympathy, not Empathy. You do not necessarily condone the choices each person makes, but you do
understand. This instinctive ability to understand is powerful. You hear the unvoiced questions. You anticipate the
need. Where others grapple for words, you seem to find the right words and the right tone. You help people find the
right phrases to express their feelings — to themselves as well as to others. You help them give voice to their
emotional life. For all these reasons other people are drawn to you.
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Relator
Relator describes your attitude toward your relationships. In simple terms, the Relator theme pulls you
toward people you already know. You do not necessarily shy away from meeting new people — in fact,
you may have other themes that cause you to enjoy the thrill of turning strangers into friends — but you
do derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around your close friends. You are comfortable
with intimacy. Once the initial connection has been made, you deliberately encourage a deepening of the
relationship. You want to understand their feelings, their goals, their fears, and their dreams; and you
want them to understand yours. You know that this kind of closeness implies a certain amount of risk —
you might be taken advantage of — but you are willing to accept that risk. For you a relationship has
value only if it is genuine. And the only way to know that is to entrust yourself to the other person. The
more you share with each other, the more you risk together. The more you risk together, the more each of
you proves your caring is genuine. These are your steps toward real friendship, and you take them
willingly.
Belief
If you possess a strong Belief theme, you have certain core values that are enduring. These values vary
from one person to another, but ordinarily your Belief theme causes you to be family-oriented, altruistic,
even spiritual, and to value responsibility and high ethics — both in yourself and others. These core
values affect your behavior in many ways. They give your life meaning and satisfaction; in your view,
success is more than money and prestige. They provide you with direction, guiding you through the
temptations and distractions of life toward a consistent set of priorities. This consistency is the foundation
for all your relationships. Your friends call you dependable. “I know where you stand,” they say. Your
Belief makes you easy to trust. It also demands that you find work that meshes with your values. Your
work must be meaningful; it must matter to you. And guided by your Belief theme it will matter only if it
gives you a chance to live out your values.
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Reading and Study Skills

Strengths Quest
I had to take a strengths quest in my reading and study skills class that helped me
understand more what strengths I have as an individual. This inventory showed me more about
how I see others and myself. I learned that my top five strengths are achiever, harmony,
empathy, relator, and belief. I agree with my results.
I am an ​achiever​ because I like to get something accomplished during the day. Even if I
am really busy, I want to get something finished so I can go on with my day. I have motivation
to go on to the next task because I want to be able to have time during the day to do other things.
I like to succeed ​harmony ​between each other. I don’t like conflicts, I want everyone to be
happy and at peace. I am also a person who shows ​empathy​ towards one another. I can feel
someone else’s pain through their eyes. I care for others but I do not necessarily agree with
everyone. I can understand what people go through though. I can also ​relate​ to people;
especially people I already know. I want to know more about them and have them interest in me
too. I want to meet new people and learn more about them. The most important thing is ​belief​.
I believe in having close relationships with my family and responsibilities. Belief provides
direction of what I want to do in life. I can use this knowledge throughout my life.
At TC3, I can use my knowledge as an achiever to know that I like to get assignments
done on time. I want to get things done as soon as possible so I can enjoy the rest of my day. As
someone who likes harmony, I wouldn’t like discussion classes. I would want everyone on one
side. As a believer, I care about my family and responsibilities as a daughter, granddaughter,
niece, cousin, and student. It’s important to show empathy towards others because it shows that
you care. People are interested in others who relate to them.
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Reading and Study Skills Study Methods Summery

As a result from my inventories, I realized that the most effective study method was
visual learning in sensory modalities and time management. I learned that I’m a visual learner
from sensory modalities learning styles inventory questions. The most effective visual learning
style was question number three, and six. I know that I need the instructor to write down notes
so I can study it later. I also like to see new information in a picture so I can vividly remember
the information. Another important topic was the time management inventory. I leaned that I
spend most of my time on school work, bedsides sleeping. On the three day time log, I learned I
spend on average about three hours a day on school work; classes, homework and studying. I
want to spend more time on relaxing and spreading out my time. I tend to have personal time
too; spending time with family and friends on occasion. It depends on the day but according to
my three day time log, I spend one to two hours a day with family and one to three hours a day
with friends. These methods are the most effective because it is how I learn as an individual and
spend my time productively. From the multiple inventories that I took I learned about myself.
I learned more about myself on how I interact with others and when I need to do
something on my own; by completing the social learning preferences inventory and multiple
intelligences. The three most important questions in the social inventory that relates to me as a
social learner, is question one, two, and three. I like to talk to others when something is serious
in my life because I want someone there to make me feel better. I don’t want to be in a situation
alone when I’m upset. When working on a chemistry project I would like to work with a group
so I can have help when I need it. As for being alone, the only two questions I picked was six
and eight. I had a chance to really think about how I interact with others and learned that I liked
to listen to a speaker, I respond more to the person ideas. I learned more about myself in the
Howard Gardner’s MI Model, by having the most in intrapersonal, which was fifty one and the
second highest was logical-mathematical. On the multiple intelligences description page it
describes myself as the capability to understand oneself and to understand others as well.
Logical-mathematical is someone who can detect patterns and understand the causes and effects
of the outcome result. This information can help me in several ways.
Social learning will help me all throughout my life. I need to know what situations I
would like to work in a group and when I want to be alone. Especially in college and jobs, social
outcomes are important to know. When working in different classes like science or math, I
might want to work in a group in science class but work alone in math because I don’t need help.
Other times I might want to work with others because I want to talk to them while I work.
Multiple intelligences will help me too by understanding myself, others, and knowing how to use
math skills. It’s good to have math skills because I will have to use it for the rest of my life;
banking, mortgages, buying a car, taxes, and simply buying groceries. I have many goals for the
future.
After studying at TC3, I want to go to a four year school. I’m not sure what I want to do
for right now but I am interested in psychology. I have learned many learning habits that will
help me in the future. I am well organized and want to accomplish things on time according to
the inventory time management three day log. This will help me at a job setting because I will
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try to get things done so I can do my best at my job. I learned more about myself and how it will
affect my future from the inventories I took in reading and study skills.