Self-Paced Skills

Welcome!

Self-paced Skills courses are flexible, individualized, open-entry 1/2 unit Pass/No Pass courses in study skills, reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and basic math.

Students take a diagnostic test and conference with an instructor, then work on instructor-assigned individualized modules at a pace that is appropriate to them. Students may use books, videos, computer software, the Internet, or skills workshops to complete the 12 hours required to pass the class. Work must be done in the Skills Center during open hours. Some skills classes may be taken as "hybrid", with some of the course work on campus and some online. See Self-Paced Skills Online.

By coming to this page, you have shown that you are interested in doing everything you can to improve your skills...and there are many resources to help you do so! On this page, you will find links to an online "classroom" where registered students can work for credit and recieve instructor support, as well as links to topics you can study on your own.

Download the Orientation for Self-Paced Skills

Work Online

Students registered in De Anza skills courses may complete up to 6 of the 12 required hours through online activites.

To receive hours for the work you do, you must first complete an orientation, create a folder in the Skills Center, and complete your diagnostic test(s) (room L-47).

Please speak to an instructor for approval and orientation before beginning to work online

Options for online Skills:

You may be assigned to work in SkillsTutor, or we may create a program for you from public Internet sites.

Follow the links below to find online explanations, exercises, quizzes, tools, and resources that you can work on on your own...just jump in and explore!

• Reading
• Vocabulary
• Math
• Writing
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Study Skills

Standardized test preparation: if you are studying for a test such as the SAT, GMAT, or CBEST, see Preparing for Standardized Tests.

Orientation: If you have not yet completed an orientation in the Skills Center, you may complete the orientation online;

Diagnostic Tests: We use diagnostic tests, along with questionaire and individual conferences and the information in your skills folder, to see what your current skill level is and decide what assignments will most help you improve your skills. There is no way to "fail" a diagnostic test, so don't be nervous!  You may take a diagnostic test in-person or online. To take the test in-person, go to the Skills Center in L-47. To take a diagnostic test online, log in to the Self-Paced Skills Online Classroom and click on "tests".

Introductory Assignments: Introductory Assignments are a way to get "warmed up" to the subject you are studying in your Skills class, and to help you learn some basic skills to help you with the rest of the course. You should complete the Introductory Assignment after you have taken your diagnostic test, and before beginning your follow-up assignments. There is a separate Introductory Assignment for each Skills class; if you are enrolled in more than one class, you should do the Introductory Assignment for each class your are enrolled in.

Follow-up Assignments: Skills instructors will assign you individual follow-up assignments, based on your diagnostic test, questionaire, and individual conferences. These assignments are generally written inside your Skills folder; for online students, the assignments will be sent to you through the online classroom.

Workshops (in L-47): Complement your online work with one or more workshops. Workshops are optional, but they are fun, and you will learn a lot! Be sure to check the Skills Workshop Schedule to see which in-person workshops you can attend.

Already Enrolled

If you are enrolled in a self-paced skills class, go to room L-47 during the first week of the quarter to check in and schedule an orientation. If you would like to enroll during the quarter, go to room L-47 after the first week or classes. Students will be added as space permits, with preference going to those students referred by faculty or counselors.

Instructor

If you are a De Anza instructor and would like to refer a student to a Skills class, please download the Instructor Referral Form and e-mail it to the Skills Center.