1. Study Skills Workshop Session 1 – Oct. 9, 2018
Ronald D. Fedele, M.S.
Learning Specialist

2. Use a variety of strategies to best gain and master knowledge!
What are Study Skills?
Methods and approaches that reinforce knowledge.
Utilize the senses.
Modified based on the task at hand.
Personalized based on individual preferences and aptitudes.
Ongoing process.
Use a variety of strategies to best gain and master knowledge!

3. How do you Study?
For English / Social studies I…. For Math/Science I…

4. Combine Learning Strategies to Maximize Performance.
Three main categories
_____________
Use a combination of strategies that bridge the three categories  impactful!

5. Visual Learning
See/take detailed notes from handouts/whiteboard/smartboard
Use diagrams/webs/charts/lists/tables to understand ideas and concepts
Organize information with color
Visualize information for memory
Learn from videos/web pages
Enhanced by illustrations and presentations that use color
Separate visual stimuli from auditory and kinesthetic distraction
Visual chains and mnemonics

6. Auditory Learning Take detailed notes from a verbal source
Enhanced by proximity to source of information
Knowledge reinforced with discussion and debate
Talk to self to augment reception of information
Connect information to rhymes/tunes
Acquire information by reading aloud or using lip movements
Verbalize lessons to remember
“Talk through” maps/charts/diagrams
Separate auditory stimuli from visual and kinesthetic distraction
Hindered by background noise/distraction

7. Tactile Learning Participate in learning activities
Active while learning and utilize frequent (physical) breaks
Solve problems by doing – seek “hands-on”
Use hands and gestures to convey ideas
“Tinker” to discover
Perception enhanced through cooking, construction, engineering and art
Field trips/tasks that involve manipulating materials
Use real life experiences to explain concepts
Associate feeling with learning (manipulatives, flash cards)
Repeated motion enhances learning (rewriting)

8. How Can We Combine Strategies?
See / Show
Hear / Say
Do!
Where do you already combine these strategies?

9. Create a Conducive Study Environment for Effective/Efficient
Learning vs

10. Do…
Be “honest” about the process (admit that you can’t REALLY study AND text, listen to music…)
Eliminate distractions (music, smartphones, social media, etc.)
Listen to quiet obscure classical music
Establish a comfortable (but not too comfortable) quiet/organized space with proper lighting and temperature
Organize required materials - make sure they are readily available
Have a system for filing older classwork/notes/tests (color coded)
Goal: set aside the same time each day to do homework/schoolwork

11. Do… Limit screen time – not all screen time is equal
Limit blue light (use night shift)
Sleep – recommended 10-11hrs – min. 8hrs
Eat well and stay hydrated
Reduce stress and anxiety – put everything into perspective
Look for assistance when things get “tough”

12. Growing Up in 2018 Does anyone “multitask?”
How adept are you at dividing your time?
______________________________________

13. Growing Up in 2018 Now… try to “multitask!”
How well can you complete two tasks?
______________________________________

14. Don’t multitask! Your brain is NOT “wired” to do more than one task at a time!
Your brain is just “switch-tasking”  this can “re-wire” your brain and lead to many negative effects
increases stress hormones
“fun stuff” becomes more impacted than important information
will actually increase the amount of time required
It’s a Challenge – in 2018 more and more “things” compete for your attention!

15. Time Management / Organization
Monthly / Weekly / Daily planners – “active” color code etc.
“New school” & “Old school” methods
Setting alarms on smart phone
Written notes to self (not on body parts!)
Work to establish realistic time allotments for assignments
Planning ahead allows you to SLOW DOWN which avoids cramming and sloppy rushed work
Long term review is more effective and creates more impactful pathways in the brain
Break down work into manageable components
20-30 min blocks – separated by
“good breaks-” get up and move/stretch, healthy snack (avoid social media/texting)
** Every block of study time should be goal oriented not time oriented