Welcome to the study skills evening

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. 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? Not ability: all students on the chances graphs are the same ability 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

11. 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. 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

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