A Brief Sketch of Study Skills in the Classroom

1. A Brief Sketch of Study Skills in the Classroom By Jess Doan, Crystal Frank, and Adam Siciliano G562 Summer II

2. What does ‘study skills’ mean? • Definition: Study – to acquire knowledge or understanding of a subject; Skills – an art, trade, or technique • Study skills – techniques used to acquire knowledge or understanding of a subject • Study skills topic includes: test taking skills, note-taking skills, reading comprehension techniques, time management skills, critical thinking skills

3. Academic Research – Study Skills • Early 1900s researchers thought study skills should be taught as early as possible • Early main focus was on reading techniques • 1950s – 1960s not a lot of research on study skills or their importance • Todays study skills must include techniques for different types of media, technology, and informational text

4. Academic Research • Major problem for students – Poor time management • Students can have higher academic achievement if they can manage their time and know how to use different study techniques • To be effective students must learn different study techniques AND practice using them (apply them) • Change student’s attitudes toward study skills and techniques to create real change in study behavior

5. Do’s and Don’ts • Note taking • Reading Textbooks • Taking tests • Additional resources

6. Taking Notes • Front of class – less distractions • Organization • Paraphrase – not enough time for everything! • Write clearly

7. Reading Textbooks • Intro, headings, subheadings • Read any summarizing paragraphs • Read captions to charts/graphs • Use dictionary for unfamiliar terms • Try to explain material out loud • Periodically stop reading and try to remember what you have just read. • What are the main ideas?

8. Test • Format/Material • No distractions when studying! (i.e. music, television) • Be alert – avoid being hungry or sleepy • Proactive – don’t wait until night before • Repitition • Ask for help if unsure of material

9. Test (cont) • Group studying: 3-5 people • Practice on one another • Discuss the “why” questions

10. Taking the Test • Read the instructions carefully • Answer easiest – hardest. Pace yourself. • If you are stuck, come back to it. • MC – eliminate the ones you know • PROOFREAD!!

11. Additional Resources

12. Additional Resources

13. Study Skills Interventions • Assessment activities • Interventions • Additional resources

14. Activities: Assessments • What’s your learning style? • Tactile • Auditory • Visual • Combination • Which study habits can you improve? • Worksheet that you can download, print, and give to students

15. What’s your learning style?

16. What’s your learning style?

17. What’s your learning style?

18. Which Study Habits Can You Improve?

19. Which Study Habits Can You Improve?

20. Which Study Habits Can You Improve?

21. Intervention:S.O.A.R Study Skills

22. S.O.A.R Study Skills • Cost: • Study Skills Workbook: $19.99 (for 4-20 books) • Multi-Media Teacher’s Guide: $499 • Some additional recommended items: • Planner, Binder, Folders, Paper, File Storage Box • Several other resources are available for purchase to tailor your school’s plan to fit student’s needs. • Some free resources for students, educators and parents can be requested online

23. S.O.A.R Study Skills • Time Requirements: • 20 lessons, 10-20 minutes each • Minimal Prep time (with Multi-Media Guide) • Evidence of effectiveness: • “Teacher’s declare SOAR 98.9% effective in improving student performance”-SOAR Website • Several Case Studies of successful implementation of program found on website • Several Awards given to SOAR

24. S.O.A.R Study Skills • “An Investigation of the SOAR Study Method” Jairam & Kiewra, Journal of Advanced Academics • Researchers found that SOAR studiers outperformed the control group by 41% on the relationship (open-ended) test, and by 4% on the fact (matrix cell) test. Reference: Jairam, D., & Kiewra, K. A. (2009). An Investigation of the SOAR Study Method. Journal Of Advanced Academics, 20(4), 602-629.

25. Other helpful (& free!) resources • Test Taking Tips: www.testtakingtips.com • Tips on test taking, note taking, study skills, reducing test anxiety and tips for parents • How to Study: www.how-to-study.com • Information on studying, note taking, tests, remembering, organization, etc

26. Student Activity • Study Skills BINGO! • Each student receives a bingo card with a blank grid (25 boxes: 5 down 5 across and the middle box is ‘Free Space’) • Under grid are the answers (words and phrase) that students put where every they want on the BINGO card • Caller picks and reads a question at random and the students find the answer on their BINGO card

27. Follow Up Survey • Please go to the following link to complete a short survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CDVXWCH

28. References • Fazal, S., Hussain, Majoka, M. I., Massod, S. (2012). The Role of Study Skills in Academic Achievement of Students: A Closer Focus on Gender. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 27(1), 37-51. • Downey, R. G., Robyak, J. E. (1978). Effectiveness of a Study Course for Students of Different Academic Achievement Personality Types. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 25(6), 544-550. • Jansen, E. P. W. A., Suhre, J. M. (2010). The Effect of Secondary School on First Year University Achievement. Educational Studies, 36(5), 569-580. • Richardson, J. S. (2010). A Histroy of Study Skills: Not Hot, But Not Forgotten. Reading Improvement. URRL: readperiodicals.com