WRITING ABOUT YOUR CENTERTHE LEARNING ASSISTANCE REVIEW

MICHAEL FRIZELLEDITOR

As an official NCLCA publication: TLAR aims to foster

communication between learning center professionals.

Audience: College administrators, faculty, staff, and tutors.

Outreach: Those interested in postsecondary learning skills.

Cost: Free to members; $50/Year for libraries.

Michael Frizell, Editor

Scholarly articles…

You’re the experts!

TLAR covers a broad range of topics, including: Program design Program evaluation Classroom-based research Applying theory and research to

practice The schism between theory and

practice Best practices Articles that bridge the gaps

inherent in our profession

NCLCA’s Definition of a Learning Center

The National College Learning Center Association defines a learning center at institutions of higher education as interactive, academic spaces which exist to reinforce and extend student learning in physical and/or virtual environments.

NCLCA’s Definition of a Learning Center

A variety of comprehensive support services and programs are offered in these environments to enhance student academic success, retention, and completion rates by applying best practices, student learning theory, and addressing student-learning needs from multiple pedagogical perspectives.

Nclca’s Definition of a Learning Center

Staffed by professionals, paraprofessionals, faculty, and/or trained student educators, learning centers are designed to reinforce the holistic academic growth of students by fostering critical thinking, metacognitive development, and academic and personal success.

Step 1: Pair & Share

Brainstorm – • In your center…

What are you doing that’s new? What are you doing that works? What have you done to solve

problems? Have you read a good book that

you are dying to share with others?

Write down your ideas!

Think hard!

Step 2: Share with the group

Step 3: Determine Article Type Reply to previously published article/article review.

Empirical Study

Theoretical

Methodological

Book Reviews

Step 4: Preparation

TO DO: Gather

statistics Literature

review

TIMELINE: TLAR deadlines Your work

demands

TLAR Deadlines FALL ISSUE

Published in September or October (Annual Conference)

Articles completed by the middle of August

One to two months for reviews from three reviewers

Two weeks for edits (negotiable)

One to two weeks for final review of article PDF

SPRING ISSUE Published in April Articles completed by the

middle of February

Format Submission

Guidelines The title page must include the title

of the manuscript (not to exceed 12 words) and the name(s) and institutional affiliation(s) of all authors. The lead author should provide

work and home addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail.

The second page should be the manuscript’s abstract. Abstracts are limited to 100 words.

To start the reviewing process, the lead author will be required to sign a certificate of authorship and transfer of copyright agreement. If accepted for publication, a

second authorization agreement must be signed by the author or authors.

Use APA 6th Edition!

Submit to TLAR

Submission packets must include:

a cover page the original manuscript a masked manuscript for

review abstract of the manuscript,

maximum 100 words figures and tables must be

black and white, camera ready, according to APA style

The electronic packet must be e-mailed to

TLAR@MissouriState.edu

Key Points to Remember…

Original Work:Duplicates of previously published works or articles under consideration for publication elsewhere cannot be accepted. 10-15 pages (inclusive) – NEGOTIABLE

Book Reviews are much shorter…(hint hint)

APA (6th ed.) – NOT NEGOTIABLEPeer Review Decisions:

accept with minor revisions revise and resubmit with editor’s review only revise and resubmit for second full editorial

board review Reject

PEER REVIEWS

THREE PEER REVIEWERS:

Making a decision…

If all reviewers agree, editor rarely questions their decision.

If two reviewers say “publish” but one rejects, editor works to assist writer.

If one reviewer says “publish” but two reject, editor rejects manuscript but offers assistance.

Rejection occurs if writers submit manuscripts that don’t fit our mission or are rejected by all three reviewers.

Published! Who receives a copy?

Each writer receives a copy; those copies are mailed to the lead writer, who then distributes copies to co-writers.

Additional copies may be purchased in advance for $5.00 each and can be mailed anywhere:

Your boss Your boss’s boss Family and friends

NOTE: Accepted manuscripts become the property of the National College Learning Center Association and may not be reprinted without the

permission of the NCLCA.

Do you need more information on…

How to write an abstract? How understand the difference between an Intro and Background? How to effectively present data? How to interpret the results of your research? How to connect the research to the reader?

ASK! I’m happy to assist you in any way!

Need answers?

I DEMAND THEM!

Contact InformationMichael Frizell, MFA

Director of Student Learning ServicesCertified Learning Center Professional – Level

4Editor, The Learning Assistance Review,

NCLCA 

Phone: 417-836-5006

Address: Missouri State University

Meyer Library 112, 901 South National AvenueSpringfield, MO 65897

NEXT YEAR…