Study skills for university students, especially first years.

1. Study Skills Orna Farrell orna.farrell@dbs.ie

2. Outline Learning theories Learning styles...VAK Successful learning Study Strategies Personal effectiveness Time management

3. Learning: Behaviourists Behaviourist Learning through stimulus, response & reward Pavlov (1927) Skinner (1965) Conditioning Input.......output

4. Learning: Cognitive Perception, memory & concept formation Demonstrate understanding by applying knowledge to solving a problem Kolb(1984) Experiential learning

5. What is your learning style? Visual: use of seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart Auditory:involves the transfer of information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises Kinaesthetic:involves physical experience -touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences

6. Successful learning Write down, something you think you are good at........... Write down a few words about how you became good at this.................

7. Successful learning Did you write? Practice Trial and error Repetition Having a go Experimenting Most people “learn by doing"

8. Study strategies Identify what is really neededStudy assignment titles carefully. Work out exactly what is required for assignments. This saves time in re-writing assignments later. Time spent in preparation is well spent. Work strategicallySet yourself clear goals and work towards these.

9. Study strategies Make the material meaningfulLooking for 'the meaning' or how things work, rather than focusing on remembering information. Work with the material, looking at how it fits together and applies to different circumstances. If you develop your understanding of the subject, it will help you to take in future material more easily. This makes reading easier. It also improves your memory for the subject.

10. Study strategies Look for linksBe active in searching out links between different aspects of the programme. Look also for links between what you are learning and the wider world. This helps to develop understanding and memory.

11. Study strategies Work with othersWork with other students so that you share ideas and gain mutual support. You may be able to share some research tasks and clarify your lecture notes. Studying with others makes study more interesting, as you gain a different set of perspectives.

12. Study strategies Set yourself SMART-F targets strategic: they assist you to achieve your goals measurable: you can tell when you have completed them achievable: you are likely to succeed in meeting them realistic: they fit the circumstances time-bound: you have a set time to meet flexible: you can adapt them if the circumstances change

13. Why take notes? To note down facts To contrast similarities and differences To summarise main points To help pay attention To review and revise To record thoughts & brainstorm

14. Types of note taking Prose/linear Many students use this format basically written paragraphs While this type can provide a summary the disadvantages are that it encourages verbatim copying doesn't allow for organisational strategy use

15. Types of note taking Mind mapping/spider diagrams The notes start in the middle of a page and 'explode' out towards the edge of the page. The advantage is that it is very visual, allows for structure and displays relationships. They are very useful for review and recall, brainstorming and revision purposes. Another advantage is that a lot of information can be condensed Disadvantages include they are hard to produce, especially from lectures and they require practice

16. Why mind map? Using words, numbers and sentences only uses one side of your brain: the left Your right brain responds to colours, shapes and sound Mind mapping uses both left and right brain skills Interview with Tony Buzan

17. Types of note taking Cornell Method This method involves drawing a line down the page, about 1/3 from left side of page. The right side is used to record notes. The left side is reserved for key words and main points. These can be done after the lecture, when trying to condense the information. The advantage of this method is that it forces the note taker to select main points;

18. Taking Notes from readings The SQRNR Reading Method Survey the text Question: make questions about the text Read & underline key words Make notes Revise

19. What now? Study plan Study group Start reading for your assignments Learning journal Set SMART Targets

20. Further reading http://www.spicynodes.org/a/7263f7634cbe7f820fa717500f117a71 Buzan, T. (2002) How to mind map. London: Thorsons. http://www.buzanworld.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlabrWv25qQ