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Directed Learning Activities

What is a directed learning activity (DLA)?

A directed learning activity (DLA) is a set of exercises a student will complete to improve a specific skill. DLAs are great because they cut to the chase of the issue you want to work on; there's nothing in a DLA that is not related to what you want to improve. Once the activities are complete, you will meet with a tutor to make sure that you're on the right track. The tutor will look over your work and review any parts of the activity that could be improved. Please note that both the activities and meeting with a tutor make a DLA; it's not one or the other.

Who should complete a DLA?

Anyone! Students looking to improve specific areas of their writing should consider the Writing Center's DLAs. Also, some students may be asked by their professors to come to the Writing Center to complete specific DLAs.

How do I complete a DLA?

It's easy! Once you've decided on which DLA to work on, simply print out the information (see below) for the DLA you've chosen and begin. If you prefer, you can complete your work on the Word document. Also, if you come into the Center to complete your DLA, we can provide all the materials for you.

Once you have completed the work, you can either sign-in for DLA walk-in tutoring, located in the Writing Center Computer Lab, or make an Online Tutoring appointment. If you are going to schedule an appointment to complete your DLA, please make sure that it is in the ONLINE TUTORING schedule and NOT in the regular tutoring schedule. For help scheduling an online DLA tutoring appointment, click here!

When can I complete a DLA?

That depends on the activity you choose. Some of the activities can be done from home while others will require you to use some of the software here in the Center. If your DLA requires you to use our software, just remember to check our hours before coming in. Also, you'll want to come into the Center to see a tutor once your activity is complete.

DLAs with an asterisk (*) can be completed and tutored online. For help making an online DLA appointment, please click here!

AmLa

Adjective Clauses DLA

Comma Splices and Run-ons DLA  and Comma Splices and Run-ons Handout

*Comma Usage DLA

Conditionals DLA

Fragments DLA , Fragments Handout, and Fragments Worksheet

Participial Adjectives DLA

The Passive Voice DLA

Past Perfect & Past Perfect Progressive Tenses

Past Tenses DLA

*Prepositions DLA

Present Perfect & Present Perfect Progressive Tenses DLA

Present Tenses DLA

Reduced Adjective Clauses DLA  and Reduced Adjective Clauses Activity

Reduced Adverb Clauses

Subject-Verb Agreement DLA

*Word Forms DLA and Word Forms Exercise

English 67 and English 68

Grammar

Adjective Clauses DLA

Comma Splices and Run-ons DLA and Comma Splices and Run-ons Handout

*Comma Usage DLA

Fragments DLA, Fragments Handout, and Fragments Worksheet

The Passive Voice DLA

*Prepositions DLA

Subject-Verb Agreement DLA

Paragraph and Essay Skills

*Conclusions DLA, Conclusions Handout, "Sticks and Stones and Sports Teams Names", and "Not Too Rich or Too Thin"

Outlining the Essay DLA, "Weight Lifting 101", and Weight Lifting 101 Sample Student Outlines  

*Paragraph Development for English 67 and 68 DLA and MEAL Handout

Summary Skills for Academic Writing DLA

Thesis Statement Power Point

English 1A, 1C and Other Courses

*Analytical v. Persuasive Thesis Statements DLA*, Analytical v. Persuasive Thesis Statements Supplemental Activity, and Thesis Statements Power Point

*Conclusions DLA, Conclusions Handout, "Sticks and Stones and Sports Teams Names", and "Not Too Rich or Too Thin"

Integrating Sources DLA

*Introductions DLA and Introductory Paragraph Handout

Outlining the Essay DLA, "Weight Lifting 101", and Weight Lifting 101 Sample Student Outlines  

DLAs with an asterisk (*) can be completed and tutored online. For help making an online DLA appointment, please click here!