1 Learning Skills Generic Skills Integration Project

2 Transition u Dependence v.s. Independence u Directive v.s. Non-directive u Structured v.s. Unstructured u Surface v.s. Deep learning Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin

3 Expectations u Commitment u Dedication u Complete assignments u Attend lectures & tutorials Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin

4 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Model of Strategic Learning u Skill u Will u Self-regulation

5 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Reflection Students must reflect on their own learning, on the relevance of what they are learning and on the nature of the subject.

6 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Reflection u Process of learning –Know oneself as a learner –Know about tasks –Know about context u Content of learning

7 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Self-Regulation u Planning u Monitoring u Evaluating u Reinforcing

8 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Examples u Planning –Identifying purpose of academic task and selecting appropriate strategy u Monitoring & Evaluating –Asking self questions –Checking with peers

9 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Planning Strategies u Goal setting u Good time management u Overcoming procrastination

10 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin SMART Goal Setting u S = Specific u M = Measurable u A = Action u R = Realistic u T = Time-based

11 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Time Management Strategies u Prioritise u Specificity u Small bite-size pieces u Use all available time u Structure the environment u Establish a routine u Scheduling

12 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Scheduling Tips u Time tables u To do lists u Prioritising system u Monitor, evaluate, reward u Relaxation time

13 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Overcoming Procrastination u Take Action u Salami Technique u Five Minutes u Related Tasks u Worst first u Make Commitments

14 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Approaches to Learning u Surface Approach –Intention to reproduce, memorise –Rote, passive u Deep Approach –Intention to understand, interact –Active processing, meaningful

15 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Examples of Active, Deep Processing Strategies u Discussion u Visualisation u Teaching someone/thing else u Diagrams u Making associations u Asking Questions

16 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Types of Cognitive Learning Strategies u Rehearsal u Elaboration u Organisational

17 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Rehearsal Strategies u Mnemonic devices u Reading material over again u Writing material over again u Repeating terms aloud u Flashcards u Underlining or highlighting

18 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Elaboration Strategies u Linking u Frameworks u Paraphrasing u Summarising u Analogies u Asking questions u Teaching material u Applying knowledge

19 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Organisational Strategies u Outlining u Diagramming u Classifying u Categorizing u Identify relationships u Separate main ideas from details u Layout of material

20 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Learning Context u Environmental factors u Departmental expectations & requirements u Assessment method u Relevance of material for own use u Other variables

21 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Summary  Strategic learners practice reflection and self-regulation  Strategic learners use effective learning strategies  Strategic learners are aware of the learning context

22 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Purposes for Reading u Enjoyment u Overview or gist of subject u Gathering information, to search u Summarising main points u Expertise or understanding u Critique or evaluation

23 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Being Selective  Ask lecturers/tutors what is most relevant  Be alert for hints and cues  Ask fellow students  Ask students in the year ahead  Share reading  Preview or skim before reading in- depth

24 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Reading Strategies u Reflection u Speed reading u Ask questions u Making notes u Self Regulation u Skimming or scanning (preview) u SQ3R

25 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Scanning u Useful for planning or previewing u Glance at table of contents, headings, index u Read introduction and summary or conclusion u Spend only 5-10 minutes

26 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin SQ3R u Survey u Question u Read u Recall u Review

27 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Purposes for Notetaking u Noting facts u Contrast similarities and differences u Summarise main points u Help pay attention u Review or revision u Record thoughts or brainstorm

28 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Types of Notes u Prose or summary u Outline or skeleton u Mind maps u Cornell or Two Column

29 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Note Making Strategies u Deep Processing Strategies –Summarising info –Seeking relationships –Asking & answering questions –Key words u Rehearsal strategies –Underlining & highlighting

30 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Notes from Lectures u Active Listening u Brief and Clear  Key words  Abbreviations  Examples, illustrations u Organisation u Review

31 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin The Writing Process u Getting Started –Understanding the task & the question –Creating an outline or mind map –Planning u Gathering Information u Writing Drafts u Feedback

32 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Getting Started u Understanding task demands u Understanding the question/topic u Creating a mind map or skeletal outline

33 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Sample Marking Criteria u Introduction u Quality of argument u Use of evidence u Presentation u Conclusions

34 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Planning Assignments Determine task demands Understand the question Brainstorm/reflect Determine information needed Create outline structure Gather information Start writing first draft Revising and editing References Proofreading SUBMIT!

35 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Writing Drafts u Structure u Answer question –First draft - get ideas down –Second draft - develop & support argument u Revise and edit u Credit sources - references

36 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Structure of Essays Introduction  Overview of essay; how question will be answered Main Body  Answer question; develop argument Conclusion  Summary

37 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Paragraphs What?  A main idea and an elaboration How?  Topic sentence  Supporting sentences - explanation, evidence, examples  Linking sentences

38 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Critical Thinking ? Identify and evaluate author’s reasoning / argument ? Evidence to support ?How valid & reliable ?Biased ? Assumptions made ? Valid conclusions

39 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin References Why? u Credit sources of information & ideas u Reader can locate for further information if required

40 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin References When? u Direct quotes u Paraphrases u Statistics/Studies u Theories u Interpretations u Facts (Cottrell, p. 123)

41 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Will u Emotions and Attitude u Impact our cognitions and behaviours

42 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Improving Motivation u Focus on Effort u Alter Expectations u Positive Self-Talk u Rewards u Goal Setting u Positive language u Visualisation

43 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Concentration u Sources of Distractions  Internal  External u Control Distractions

44 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Controlling External Distractions u Structure study environment u Establish a routine u Negotiate u Physical

45 Gensip – Learning Skills Trinity College Dublin Controlling Internal Distractions u List of concerns u Worry time u Mind wandering or daydreaming u Building up time u Mental rehearsal u More active in study process