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What is a BLT?
A BLT (Business Learning Team) is a group of
freshmen and transfer business students who take the same
sections of three courses during the fall
semester and some of these students live near one another in the
residence halls.
How do I sign up for a BLT?
Participation
is optional, however if you sign up you will be expected to
participate fully in the team activities. You can
register for a learning team when you apply for housing, or
at June orientation. Some teams have a residential
component, meaning students live on the same floor in the
residence halls, while others do not have this component.
Space in teams is on a first come, first served basis.
What else do I have to do?
Other than a few group meetings, members are not required to "do" anything
outside of class with the other members of your
team unless you have a group project. However,
we ask our learning team members to do at least
a few of these things together with other
members of their team. (Your team's peer mentor
will also help organize some of these
activities)
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Walk to and from class |
Attend class |
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Share meals |
Work on projects |
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Help each other with homework |
Form study groups |
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Socialize outside of class |
Discuss issues outside of class |
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Attend campus activities |
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What classes are we talking about?
Three courses from this list will be on BLT
schedules. All BLTs will include BusAd 101 and
Psych 131 Academic Learning Skills. All
these courses fulfill graduation requirements in
the College of Business. Some of the courses may
be linked.
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Business Orientation |
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Academic Learning Skills |
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Computer Applications |
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Financial Accounting |
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Principles of Microeconomics |
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Library Instruction |
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Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Science |
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Introduction to Music Literature I |
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Introduction to Psychology |
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Introduction to Sociology |
What is a linked course and why do we have them?
Linked courses are courses from two different
disciplines that the instructors have chosen to
integrate. For example, in a composition course
you might write about a topic being discussed in
your business orientation course. Linked
courses help you make connections between
seemingly unrelated topics, increasing your
understanding of the material and its
application.
What is a residential learning team?
A residential learning team is a more formal BLT
with a direct tie to a specific residence hall
on campus. A limited number of spaces on a
particular floor are requested for members of
the BLT. The residential
learning team will have a peer mentor (former
BLT student) living on their floor, as well as
other Iowa State students and a resident assistant.
How and when will I find out who is on my team?
Members will receive a list of all your team
members (who have signed an information release
form), in your campus mailbox when you arrive in
August. This list will have in-session
addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses,
if available. You will also meet everyone at a
BLT kickoff event early in the fall semester.
What is a mentor?
There are three types of mentors: student,
faculty, and staff. All the BLTs will have at
least one mentor from each of these groups. The
student mentor is a student who was on a BLT in
a previous year. The faculty mentor is a member
of the College of Business faculty who
volunteers to serve in an advisory capacity for
learning teams. The staff mentor is a
professional advisor from the Union Pacific
Undergraduate Programs office.
http://www.bus.iastate.edu/Undergrad/BLTmentors.asp
How long does a learning team last?
Typically, BLTs are only for the fall semester.
However, many of our learning team members
choose to continue the team relationship beyond
that first semester. We offer a few teams in the
spring semester for those who wish to continue
their team experience.
What is so great about BLTs?
Our students have told us that BLTs make the
transition to Iowa State University easier. It
is an easy way to meet friends and makes walking
into class the first day a little less
intimidating. It also provides students with a
support network of students, faculty, and staff,
and makes ISU a "smaller" place.
Here are some student’s thoughts about BLTs:
"Makes things easier and more comfortable."
"There are people who care and it makes the
university smaller."
"I don’t feel so alone; I’ve made friends very
easily."
"I think the learning team is a positive
experience. It allows you to get involved with
other people and relate to them in many
classes."
If you have any questions or concerns please
contact the Business Undergraduate Programs
Office at 515-294-8300 or e-mail us at
undergrad@iastate.edu.
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