1. T EACHING B ASIC S TUDY S KILLS : Y ES, THEY SHOULD KNOW IT, BUT THEY DON ’ T ! Mona M. Sedrak, PhD, PA-C Scott Massey, PhD, PA-C

2. S ESSION O BJECTIVES At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: Discuss the benefits of teaching basic study skills to first year PA students. Identify which study skills students most lack and the impact this deficit has on effective learning. Utilize effective teaching tools and strategies to help students improve their skills. Describe how “study Skills Seminar” can be incorporated into the curricula of Physician Assistant programs.

3. T HE PROBLEM Expectations and assumptions made by faculty Expectations and assumptions – students Under-graduate preparation Clash of expectations and reality Frustration Deceleration Attrition

4. M ILLENNIALS G ENERATION What do you know about them? Hard-workers Little patience for “busy work” Question Everything Doing is more important than knowing Oversimplify complexities of world; push- button solutions; adverse to the complexity of reality. Expect Constant Rewards and feedback Differences in undergraduate expectations and graduate

5. POLLING THE AUDIENCE Who has a formal study skills program with in the PA Program? Yes No

6. A RGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST Against Its not our job to teach basic skills There is no time to teach skills Students who lack basic skills cannot be successful Our students already know that For We accepted, they’re our problem now We need to embrace the “Learner- centered” philosophy Mentoring is an important concept Improve learning, board scores, etc…

7. R ECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO REALITY OF STUDENT DEFICITS Time management Note-taking Reading Analysis and synthesis = Critical Thinker Preparing/ studying Test-taking Stress management/ anxiety and depression

8. P OLLING THE AUDIENCE Which of the following do you feel your students have the most trouble with? Choose one only! Time management Note-taking Reading Preparing/ studying Test-taking

9. R EVIEWING B LOOM ’ S W HICH LEVEL DO MOST OF YOUR STUDENTS FUNCTIONS AT ? Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

10. T WO STRATEGICAL RESPONSE Pre-emptive intervention Orientation Structured skill-building workshops Tuesday’s with Morray Fireside chats Damage Assessment and Control Midterm Madness Mentoring process The “go-to” guy?

11. P LANNING A W ORKSHOP Carefully consider timing When is the best time in the curriculum to have the biggest impact How do you grab their attention A little espionage is fine. All is fair in love and war! Decide the goals and objectives you want to cover Allot the appropriate time span Make it mandatory Its all in the presentation: who will be the entertainer Have the appropriate resources available

12. T OPICS FOR DISCUSSION Learning Styles Inventory Study Skills Inventory Becoming an Independent Learner NCCPA Blueprint – Excel Physician Assistant Competencies Time Management How Well Do You Plan? Making a Schedule Weekly Planner Developing a Study Plan

13. T OPICS FOR D ISCUSSION Creating Effective Groups How to choose group members Rules for groups Roles in groups Critical Reading Skills Six Reading Myths 3 R’s For Academic Survival Reading Academically How to Increase Reading Speed How to Use Books Effectively

14. T OPICS FOR D ISCUSSION Note-Taking Skills Cornell Note Taking System How to use Lecture time Effectively Getting the Most Out of Lecture How to Improve Memory and Cognition Nine Ways to Aid Your Memory

15. P REPARING FOR EXAMS Questioning and Using Cognitive Structures Test Taking Strategies Multiple Choice Test Strategies Analyzing Past Tests

16. H ELPFUL W EBSITES Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire: NC State University http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html Dartmouth College – Academic Skills Videos http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/videos/index.html http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/videos/index.html Learning Strategies: Maximizing Your Academic Experience http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/index.html http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/index.html Brigham Young University: Developing Study Skills http://ccc.byu.edu/learning/index.php http://ccc.byu.edu/learning/index.php University of South-Hampton: Developing Your Academic Skills http://www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/develop.htm http://www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/develop.htm University of South-Hampton: Developing Academic Skills – Powerpoints for Faculty http://www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/sessions.htm http://www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/sessions.htm

17. W HAT DO YOU THINK ? What questions do you have about integrating a study skills program into your curriculum?

18. C ONTACT I NFORMATION Mona Sedrak, PhD, PA-C Physician Assistant Program School of Health and Medical Sciences Seton hall University Sedrakmo@shu.edu 973-271-3643 Scott Massey, PhD, PA-C Associate Dean MCPHS- School of Physician Assistant Studies Manchester-Worcester Scott.Massey@mcphs.edu 603-314-1708