Todays post is about how I plan on taking control of my own learning.
First I completed a task which asked me to look at what helps and what hinders my learning. I was then asked to write about I planned on using this information to make my studying practices more effective. Here is what I came up with…
| What helps my learning? | How can I utilise this? |
| Discussing with others | · Meet with peers on my course out with class
· Participate in online discussions |
| Planning | · Plan when I will complete homework tasks
· Set goals on completing reading |
| Organisation | · Organising my notes into categories eg modules |
| Revision | · Go over key terms and definitions until I remember them |
| Using a variety of materials | Use…
· Books, Websites, Articles and videos |
| Visual aids | · Use Flashcards |
| Experience | · Learn and reflect on my practice |
| What hinders my learning? | How can I address this factor? |
| Distractions | · Study in a place with minimal distractions, eg alone |
| Long periods of study | · Take regular breaks |
| Not being given examples | · Take time after lectures to put facts into real life situations |
| Social priorities | · Make time for study and social priorities |
| Fatigue | · Having a good sleeping pattern and sticking to it |
| Obstacles | · Ensuring I ask for help when I am struggling |
The final part of the task asked me to reflect on the benefits of Active Learning and Co-operative Working.
I feel it would be good to start with an small description of the kind of things active learning entails. Opposite from passive learning, active learning involves engaging with your materials and sources. This could be done by re-writing your notes after a lecture into a way that makes more sense to you. For example dividing them into categories or linking them with real life examples. By doing this you are able to think about the subject in depth with more time than you would in during a lecture and add information. This is an obvious benefit of active learning as by the end of it you are left with a larger and more in depth set of notes which will be useful in assignment writing. Another way to actively learn is to describe you topic to another person. By doing this you are consolidating your knowledge and committing it to memory in a way that is simple enough to describe to others and therefore easy enough to remember. A final example of active learning asking yourself questions as you study or re-write notes. This allows you to analyse and evaluate your notes while making conclusions or comparisons again providing you with a more in depth understanding of the topic.
Moving onto co-operative working I have chosen 4 main benefits – In a group task setting working together allows higher standards to be produced. This is because each person only has to focus on one area of the task rather than trying to complete it all. There is also benefits to working co-operatively in a discussion setting. By working together and discussing knowledge everyone in the group is able to learn new things and hear others opinions. This is particularly helpful when you are struggling with a certain area as there is usually always someone that can help. Another benefit is by passing on your knowledge to others in your group you are also consolidating your own knowledge. I believe if you are able to explain it to someone else this shows you understand it. Finally not only does working co-operatively provide a wider range of knowledge it also provides a collection of different skills.
I feel this activity has helped me understand how I can improve my study skills and has also introduced me to new methods I will begin to use.
Now to start unit 2……Wish me luck
