Skills for Learning - Essay Example

?Skills for Learning The Skills Audit – Task 1. Generating ideas I am able to generate ideas and conceive existing ones in a new way. However, I amnot very competent in this area, and so I need to improve on it. 2. Information Searching techniques I can use library resources with ease. I am able to find useful and relevant information from books, the internet and journals. However, I do not have a search strategy to conduct my searches. 3. Reading and note-making strategies I am able to decide those parts of a book or a journal that I am supposed to read, although I do not have a system that I can use for recording the parts where I find information. I also able to decide the best reading strategy, that is, whether I need to scan, skim or read in-depth. I am able to make effective notes when I am reading, but I find it harder to do the same when listening. 4. Theoretical and reflective writing skills In many cases, I can analyze assignments to determine what I am expected to do. I know and understand the difference between a report and an essay. I have no problem punctuating and using grammar and spelling without making mistakes. Usually, I do not have difficulty expressing my ideas in the written form. 5. Spoken Communication Sometimes I feel confident participating in class and group discussions. I often ask questions about topics that I need clarification in. 6. Planning for Personal Development Many times, I am able to organize my time so as to meet deadlines. However, this does not happen all the time. I am not so good at setting targets, and when I do, I find it hard to reflect on my progress towards the goals. 7. Information Technology Skills I able to use basic programs to create retrieve and store files. I am also able to use word processing packages to produce my documents; however, I need to improve on my speeds and proficiency. I am not able to use spreadsheets to manipulate data. The Action Plan – Task 2 Academic Skills for Learning that I need to improve The following are the five areas in which I need to improve: 1. Theoretical and reflective writing skills: I need to be able to analyze all my assignments so as to understand exactly what I am supposed to do. 2. Reading and note-making strategies: I need to be able to take effective and comprehensive notes while reading or listening. 3. Generating ideas: I need to improve my idea generation skills and be able to conceive the existing ones in new ways. 4. Information Technology Skills: I need to improve on my word processing skills and typing speeds 5. Planning for Personal Development: I need to improve on how I manage my time Targets 1. To be able to effectively analyze all my assignments by the end of two weeks. 2. To be able to take comprehensive and neat notes by the end of the module. 3. To be able to formulate my own ideas from what I read by the end of one month. 4. To be proficient in all information technology techniques that I need to know by the end of the module. 5. To be able to plan and use my study time and non-study time efficiently. Strategies to help me improve: 1. I will practice on a lot of assignments which I will have someone else evaluate to see how best I can analyze and understand what is expected of me. 2. I will practice reading and note taking skills following the recommendations in textbooks and class notes. 3. I will go through different essays and reports and try to formulate my own ideas from what I read, and then seek feedback from my study skills tutor 4. I will practice using different word processing skills and seek help on the areas where I face difficulty. 5. I will create a personal schedule which I will use to allocate time for studying. Resources I will need to help me: Different assignment packages from the departmental library Study skills guides, textbooks and tutorial packages Academic journals containing essays and reports in the college library Access to the computer lab and use of my own PC Different examples of personal schedules from module textbooks Essay – Task 3 Study Skills Techniques Study skills are the academic approaches are used for the purposes of learning (McMillan and Weyers, 2009). Different types of study skills are considered to be essential for academic success, and they are also important for application throughout an individual’s life. There are many types of study skills which are taught at the high school and college level (Burns and Sinfield, 2008). Although study skills and strategies work differently for different people, the basics remain similar. Effective study skills are not only supposed to help the learner memorize some pieces of information, they are also supposed to help him critically think about and understand the concept. This essay is an analysis of relevant study skills’ basics and how they help learners succeed in their academics. One of the most important elements of study skills is goal determination (O’Hara, 2005). For everything that one does, he or she must have goals. In this context, a goal can be described as the ultimate aim for studying. Good study skills must be accompanied by SMART goals (Wong, 2011). This is to say that the goals must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound. This means that the goals should be brief and clear. When making a goal, one should avoid vagueness which would make it hard to attain that goal. The goal should also be measurable in that its progress can be evaluated. An attainable goal is one that is achievable within the context that it is made. Realistic goals have to be relevant, which means that they have to reflect the purpose for which they have been made. Finally, time bound goals are those that are achievable within a specified time frame. Time management is another important element of effective study skills (Cottrell, 2008). Everyone has their own way of managing their time. Some learners have difficulty allocating time for studying because they do not plan for it. This is where a personal schedule comes in handy. A schedule helps the learner allocate enough time for studying and doing other things (Wong, 2011). With a well thought out schedule, one is able to study well ahead of time instead of waiting for the last minute in order to try to understand a certain concept. A study schedule is only good as long as it is properly managed and followed to the letter. If a learner is committed to the schedule that he creates for himself, he will not have to postpone important things for later. One important time management principle is to identify what is the best time to study. Some people study well at night while others are able to concentrate more in the morning. The use of distributed learning is also important for proper time management. Stress management is also another important aspect of studying (Connelly and Forsyth, 2010). It is a well known fact that an individual cannot do much constructive work if he is bothered by an issue. Learners need to identify those things that may cause them to get stressed and address them before they interfere with their studies. One of the best ways that have been identified as stress relievers is exercising. When it comes to actual studying, there are many different strategies that one can follow. One of the recommended reading strategies is known as SQ3R. The SQ3R principle is widely used in many learning institutions and it requites one to: survey, question, read, recite and review written material as a way of sharpening study skills (Fairburn and Winch, 2006). Following the SQ3R principle allows one not only to develop good study skills, but also develop stress management techniques. Preparation for exams is one area of study that many students never get right (Burns and Sinfield, 2008). Some students normally wait till the also minute, the night before the exam, to start studying. This kind of studying is not helpful at all. Preparing for exams should be a progressive activity (Van Blerkom, 2006). This means that the learner should review his reading materials on a regular basis, rather than on the last day. Studying regularly allows one to process information more clearly and this enhances comprehension. Being an active rather than a passive learner also enables one to effectively prepare for exams. This means that in order to understand what one is reading, there is need to engage the critical mind in the reading process. Asking important but relevant questions is an important part of active learning. This enables one to have a clarification of whatever it is that he could not understand. While studying it is important to get the main idea (Cottrell, 2008). This means that without comprehension, it is very hard for one to make any progress in his reading. The study environment has to be right for one to understand what he is reading. It is also important to identify the best reading method for a certain topic. For example, one can scan, skim, or read through a text in an in depth manner. Scanning and skimming through a text are important if the reader already has some concept of what he is reading about (Fairburn and Winch, 2006). It is also a good way of reminding oneself of something that was read before. In depth reading on the other hand is required for full understanding of a concept. Avoiding stressful conditions is advisable while reading. When reading or preparing for exams, it is better to do it early enough in order to reduce last minute confusion and panic. In summary, having the best study skills is the best way to ensure that one succeeds academically and to a greater extent, in other aspects of life as well. ~948 words~ Reflective Account – Task 4 I have made considerable progress since I started this module. At the beginning it was quite hard for me to plan my time and manage my studies. However, after I identified some of the areas in which I needed to make an improvement, it was easier to plan my studies. I was able to identify my main weaknesses through a study skills audit that I conducted on myself. From the audit, I was able to realize that I needed to improve in areas such as: Theoretical and reflective writing, planning for personal development, idea generation, information technology, as well as reading and note-making. To improve in these areas of weakness, I had to set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound goals. I also came up with different strategies to help me achieve my targets. For one, I practiced on a lot of assignments were evaluated by my tutors. This practice enabled to analyze and understand different types of assignments. I also did a lot of practicing in reading and note taking using the recommendations made in textbooks and class notes. Another strategy I used was to go through as many completed essays and reports, something that helped me develop my idea formulation skills. I have also been using different word processing skills to improve my information technology skills. I created a personal schedule which I follow for all my studies. I used different kinds of resources to achieve many of my targets. For example, I made use of the college library for textbooks and other reading materials that I needed to improve my study skills. I also made use of module notes that the tutor gave us in class. I frequented the computer lab as I practiced to improve my word processing and other information technology skills. I also asked for assistance from my tutor and other study skills tutors as I worked towards improving my theoretical and reflective writing skills. To create my own personal schedule, I used the examples used in textbooks and learning materials provided by the module tutor. It was then that I was able to come with my own which perfectly suit my needs. I can say that I have important steps in improving many of the weakness areas I had during the beginning of the module. I now feel quit confident in attempting the different academic assignments that I get. I am able to fully analyze and understand them. I can use the resources at my disposal to find information and my time management is much better. However, there are some areas that I will still need to work on. These include: teamwork, oral communication and numeracy skills. I need to improve my teamwork skills so that I can do a better job when given group assignments. I need to work on my oral communication skills so that I am able to make articulate points when presenting something in class. I also need to improve my numeracy skills to be better to be able to interpret numerical data and apply it in my assignments. I believe that improving in this area will greatly help me become more efficient in analyzing and understanding concepts. These skills will help me in future when looking for jobs that need communication, numeracy and information technology skills. ~549 words~ References Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. (2008) Essential Study Skills: The Complete Guide to Success at University. London: Sage Connelly, J. and Forsyth, P. (2010) The Study Skills Guide: Essential Strategies for Smart Students. London: Kogan Page Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook (3rd ed.) Hampshire: Palgrave McMillan Fairburn, G. J. and Winch, C. (1996) Reading, Writing and Reasoning (2nd ed.) Buckingham: Open University Press McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2009) The Smarter Study Skills Companion (2nd ed.) Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd. O’Hara, S. (2005) Improving Your Study Skills: Study Smart, Study Less. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Van Blerkom, D.L. (2006) College Study Skills: Becoming a Strategic Learner. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Wong, L. (2011) Essential Study Skills. New York, NY: Cengage Learning Read More