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Learning Strategies. Elaine Hawkins Programme Director: Higher Education Introductory Studies Birkbeck, University of London. Discussion questions. What is learning? How happy are you with your current learning strategies? Do you have a strategy??.
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Learning Strategies Elaine Hawkins Programme Director: Higher Education Introductory Studies Birkbeck, University of London
Discussion questions • What is learning? • How happy are you with your current learning strategies? Do you have a strategy??
Learning strategies: skills and processes • ‘How to’ do things (skills). For example: Take notes Find reliable information/reference correctly Use a computer effectively for study and research Write an essay/ give a seminar presentation Take a timed assessment • Learning as a process Psychological and social
Elizabeth Ellsworth(2005) Places of Learning; Media, Architecture, Pedagogy: ‘I will locate the experience of the learning self as a self not in compliance but in transition and in motion towards previously unknown ways of thinking and being in the world’ (16).
Learning: a complicated process? Emotional as well as intellectual Involves our identities: resistance as well as acceptance. Social as well as psychological: external as well as internal factors play a part in learning.
Learning in Educational settings Who decides what is valuable to learn? How does learning in educational settings relate to the learning we do in our everyday lives? In your field of study, who has most control over what we ‘know’?
Learning Styles? Am I clever enough? Do different people learn differently?
Learning Styles Theorising Kolb’s Learning Cycle (Adapted from Kolb and Fry (1975) cited in Honey and Mumford 1992) Experiencing Testing Reflecting
Harry Potter on Learning (Theorising) Harry stared at the stone basin. The contents had returned to their original silvery white state, swirling and rippling beneath his gaze. ‘What is it?’ Harry asked shakily. ‘This? It is called a pensieve’, said Dumbledore. ‘I sometimes find, and I’m sure that you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed in to my mind. ‘Er,’ said Harry, who couldn’t truthfully say that he had ever felt anything of the sort. ‘At these times’ said Dumbledore, indicating the stone basin, ‘I use the pensieve. One simply siphons thoughts from one’s mind, pours them in to the basin, and examines them at one’s leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form.’ (Rowling, 2000, pp.518-19 quoted in Moon, J. (2004)A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice (Routledge, Falmer)
Making a start with your studies • Organising space and resources • Organising time: charts and diaries • Combining work and study • Collaborative learning: study groups • Independent/autonomous learning • Explore your motivation • Define your own outcomes/goals • Developing a questioning approach
Making a start with your studies • Identify resources to assist you • Keep a record of their location • Extend your reading • Practice summarising and note-taking • Practice active listening • Identify and record what you already know: transferable skills.
Learning Strategies:Resources Books: Cottrell, S.(2008)The Study Skills Handbook (3rd edition), Burns, T and Sinfield, S.(2003)Essential Study Skills: The Complete Guide to Success@university Northedge, A. (2005)The Good Study Guide (2005) Also: The Sciences Good Study Guide and Chambers and Northedge(2008) The Arts Good Study Guide (2nd edn 2008) Cottrell, S. (2011) Critical Thinking Skills Palgrave Macmillan
Learning Strategies: Birkbeck Modules • Learning Strategies module (Higher Education Introductory Studies) http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/ce/preparationforhighereducation/awards/UEAHEINT.html • Higher Education Introductory Studies modules http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/all_courses/highereducationintroductorystudies.html • Academic English modules (second language speakers): http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/all_courses/academicwritingfornon-nativeenglishspeakers.html
Learning Strategies: web resources. • http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities/support • http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/get-ahead-stay-ahead • http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/pdp/structured/index.asp • http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/index.asp • www.mindtools.com/pages/main/ • www.howtostudy.org/overview • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Personal Development Alder, H (2005) Boost Your Creative Intelligence Cottrell, S. (2010) Skillsfor Success: The Personal Development Planning Handbook (2nd Edition) Fennell, M. (2006) Overcoming Low self-esteem Constable and Robinson Ibarra, H (2004) Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career Lindeford, G (2001) Assert Yourself Michelli, D (2002) Assertiveness in a Week Neenan, M. and Dryden W (2001). Life Coaching Brunner-Routledge, Winstanley, D (2005) Personal Effectiveness.