Welcome to the study skills evening

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.

The new GCSEs

How the school helps your child prepare for them

Web addresses for the exam boards are located on page 27. 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.

Alternatively your child has access to the W drive at school where they will find lots of relevant materials Let’s have a look….

Chances Graphs

So what makes the difference? 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 Not ability: all students on the chances graphs are the same ability

Vision Effort Systems Practice Attitude VESPA Vision Effort Systems Practice Attitude

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

How to encourage good study habits

Now over to Mr Allsop…

Studying for GCSE There is no single method that works for every student. However, every student will have a method that works for them

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

The memory game… Learning is about more than facts; Knowledge Theories Algorithms Command words Understanding Mastery

Unconsciously incompetent Unconsciously competent

How do we learn? By Making connections

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?

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.

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

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!

What are the features of a good study program? Individual Timed Targeted Achievable Relentless Supported

So where to study? Consider Distractions Stationery Noise Snacks, Drinks All other materials there, to hand …

Creating an effective study space

FEATURES OF A STUDENT LUCID PRO ACTIVE INTERESTED ORGANISED TIDY

FEATURES OF A TEENAGER GRUNTING LAZINESS BORED DISORGANISED UNTIDY

Why isn’t this conducive to effective Study?

…however, this may be

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

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

Learning strategies…

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.

Kinaesthetic [physical] learners 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

A word to the wise… THE INTERNET A great resource but…

Where to go for further support Your child’s teacher Head of house/Head of department The Exams officer The Exam board

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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