1. Welcome to the study skills evening

2. Purpose of this evening
The new GCSEs
How the school prepares your child for them
How you might encourage good study habits
And where to go for further support.

3. The new GCSEs

5. How the school helps your child prepare for them

6. Web addresses for the exam boards are located on page 27.
In your booklet [page 26] you will find a list of exam boards & relevant codes. Use these to familiarise yourself with specifications, past papers and mark schemes.
Web addresses for the exam boards are located on page 27.

7. Alternatively your child has access to the W drive at school where they will find lots of relevant materials
Let’s have a look….

8. Chances Graphs

10. So what makes the difference?
Approach and attitude to study
On the right hand side are students who;
Regularly review their work
Go above and beyond on homework
Study until they understand it: they never give up!
Are organised and meet deadlines for coursework etc.
Ask for help when they don’t understand
Not ability: all students on the chances graphs are the same ability

11. Vision Effort Systems Practice Attitude
VESPA
Vision Effort Systems Practice Attitude

12. Other things the school does
Mentoring
Lunch time catch up sessions
After school sessions
Easter Revision school in Year 11
Prep
Library after school
Dedicated, well qualified staff

13. How to encourage good study habits

14. Now over to Mr Allsop…

15. Studying for GCSE
There is no single method that works for every student. However, every student will have a method that works for them

16. Common questions asked about studying
How much?
When?
What resources?
Motivation
Not doing any at all!
Becoming overwhelmed
Animosity
Learning the right things but in the wrong ways
Not having a coordinated approach or having one that is unrealistic

17. The memory game… Learning is about more than facts; Knowledge Theories
Algorithms
Command words
Understanding
Mastery

18. Unconsciously incompetent Unconsciously competent

19. How do we learn?
By Making connections

21. Where was the dog?
How many oranges were there?
What colour were the sleeves of her dress?
How many candles in the candelabra?
What else was on the floor other than the dog?
Which room in the house is this?
Where does the artist appear in the picture?

22. Exploiting the iPod (other MP3 players are available!)
Making playlists - Pomodoro App
For those who revise listening to music
25-30 minute playlist
Start with something upbeat – a motivator
20-25 mins of ‘ignorable’ background music
Finish with a calming, relaxing choice
Breaks your study into manageable chunks
Built in reward and sense of control
Not silence, but does block out other noise and disturbance.

23. So when making your own notes, what goes on paper?
Depends on the task…
Should be exam or assessment driven…(!)
Be encouraged to make the links…
Within a subject
Beyond the subject

24. Podcasting
Revision podcasts are now a marketable commodity – check out the internet!
Even better for students to make their own!
Encourages them to engage with the material to be learned
Can ‘hear themselves saying it’ – easier to recall in exams
Or make podcasts for your students – they can download them onto their iPods for revision at any time.
use Audacity software and a cheap headset... Quite straightforward!

25. What are the features of a good study program?
Individual
Timed
Targeted
Achievable
Relentless
Supported

26. So where to study? Consider Distractions Stationery Noise
Snacks, Drinks
All other materials there, to hand …

27. Creating an effective study space

28. FEATURES OF A STUDENT
LUCID
PRO ACTIVE
INTERESTED
ORGANISED
TIDY

29. FEATURES OF A TEENAGER
GRUNTING
LAZINESS
BORED
DISORGANISED
UNTIDY

31. Why isn’t this conducive to effective Study?

32. …however, this may be

33. Some general guidance for creating a study space
Maintain focus: Use a desk lamp and music to avoid distractions
Equipment to hand: Prevents constantly getting up
Materials such as notes as Text books to hand or organised

34. Don’t FENCE me in F Focus Light and sound E Equipment Pens, paper
N Notes and text books
C Clean and tidy work space
E Energy Don’t revise when tired

36. Learning strategies…

37. Learning styles
Before beginning to revise it is important to understand how best you learn, then revision strategies can be tailored to the preferred learning style.
As a quick test you can use VAK testing – however current educational thinking has moved away from VAK – but it is a useful starting point.

38. Kinaesthetic [physical] learners
Visual learners
Writing down key facts
Using mind maps
Creating pictures and diagrams
Using timelines
Using pictures, diagrams and charts
Watching videos, films, TV programmes
Post it notes – key terms
Auditory learners
Hearing a presentation Using Mnemonics
Reading aloud to yourself May work well to music
Making a recording of key points Use computer software
Verbally summarising
Explaining it to somebody else
Talking to yourself
Kinaesthetic [physical] learners
Using highlighters to select key words, and main ideas
Making index cards
Sorting cards into an order
Making models
Mind Maps
Acting out key themes
Post it notes – key terms

39. A word to the wise…
THE INTERNET
A great resource but…

41. Where to go for further support
Your child’s teacher
Head of house/Head of department
The Exams officer
The Exam board

42. So what should you go home and do now?
Decide which side of the chances graph you want to be on; it is your genuine choice
Think about how you can create a study program which works for your
Create a study space ready for GCSE
Work together in the house to support the student’s aspiration

43. Blank page