1. Becoming an Independent Learner
This workshop will...
Explore what is required to become an independent learner
Look at the basic principles of how to achieve success
Help students develop assignment and exam checklists
Louise Livesey
Academic Skills Adviser
14/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

2. Academic Skills Advice
Today’s Plan
How does it feel to be here?
What is an independent learner?
What do I have to do to be an independent learner?
How to achieve
Assignment and exam checklists
All in one click
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Academic Skills Advice

3. 1.How does it feel to be here?
Activity 1: How do you feel about being
a University student?
Take a breath and think about this for a moment
Write on the Post-it note whether positive or negative
Place it on the wall/board
1 minute to write down
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Academic Skills Advice

4. 1.How does it feel to be here?
Most students will feel scared and overwhelmed at some point – it is to be expected and normal!
It’s common to feel
doubtful and worried
This is how you may feel now – but this is how you will feel during your course
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Academic Skills Advice

5. 1.How does it feel to be here?
Learning at University is just another skill; it gets easier with practice
Experience is usually more important
than intelligence!
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Academic Skills Advice

6. 2.What is an independent learner?
Manages own study
Choses and interprets books to read
Decides what to put in and structure of assignments
Manages their time
Self-motivated, disciplined and focused
Is organised
Chooses extra-curricular activities appropriately
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Academic Skills Advice

7. 2.What is an independent learner?
Activity 2: Solutions to challenges
Challenges
Solutions
More control over your study time
Use a diary, timetables and/or year planner to develop a routine
Check the modules descriptor literature
More control over your spare time
Choose activities to enhance your overall appeal or gain new skills
Put spare time and independent study time into your timetable
More choice about when and where to study
As above
Decide when and where you study at your best and work into your timetable
More choice about how you study
Try taking notes from a screen or hard copies/taking notes in different ways (linear, mind-maps, etc.)/ recording and listening to tapes of your notes/ walking around whilst you study
Develop SMART targets and action plans for your goals
More responsibility for your own successes
Think about what is stopping you study (phone, friends, favourite tv shows) and do something about it
Consider if you need a new skill or improve on one (note-taking, speed-reading) and sign up for help
Read feedback and correct future work
Read all module and course handbooks and documentation carefully
Click for table
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Academic Skills Advice

8. 3.What do I have to do to be an independent learner?
Motivate yourself
Stick to your timetable
Take notes in lectures and from sources
Think critically by questioning everything
Use the library and relevant IT programmes
Concentrate
Remember and understand
Research
Write
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Academic Skills Advice

9. Academic Skills Advice
3.What do I have to do to be an independent learner?
You are not alone!
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Academic Skills Advice

10. Surface or Deep Learning?
4.How to achieve
Surface or Deep Learning?
What is the difference between students
who get top grades and rest?
Answer: They read more!
What is the best way to remember stuff?
Answer: Write it out – make notes!
(Marton and Säljö, 1976)
Ference & Roger
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Academic Skills Advice

11. Academic Skills Advice
4.How to achieve
“People see the extraordinary feats of others but not the unwavering commitment and countless hours of perseverant effort that produced them”
(Bandura,1997: 119)
People who do more work,
achieve more!
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Academic Skills Advice

12. Academic Skills Advice
5.Assignment and exam checklists
Activity 3: Your first assignment checklist
Action
Check handbook; read brief/criteria; look at Blackboard
Go to library; search for texts from reading list; find other texts
Read basic texts followed by harder ones; search for recent articles online
Make rough notes; sort into categories; decide on relevant categories; decide on key points; sort key points
Make a plan/structure: list of categories/areas and key points + the evidence
Write first draft;; amend; repeat until happy; proofread final draft
Check handbook for hand-in requirements; hand in.
Get feedback; read feedback; reflect; file feedback; plan what you will do differently to improve
Click for whole table
14/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

13. Academic Skills Advice
5.Assignment and exam checklists
‘Exams (are) opportunities to show what you know rather than… tests to show what you do not know.’
(Moran, 2000: 139)
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Academic Skills Advice

14. Academic Skills Advice
Summary
It’s common to feel doubtful and worried
Experience and hard work is usually more important than ‘intelligence’!
Know where you can go for information and assistance
Create assignment and exam checklist to stay organised and motivated!
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Academic Skills Advice

15. Academic Skills Advice
References
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: Freeman.
Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.
Marton F. and Säljö R. (1976) On qualitative differences in learning – Outcome and Process. British Journal of Educational Psychology. 46, pp [online] Available at:
[Accessed ]
Moran, A. (2000) Managing Your Own Learning at University. Dublin: University College Dublin Press.
All visuals: worry/smile/old/runner/finish line/question Clip Art
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Academic Skills Advice

16. Academic Skills Advice Service
Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (closing at 4pm Fridays).
Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser.
Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage.
Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment.
How do I get in touch? Telephone:
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Academic Skills Advice

17. Academic Skills Advice
Any questions?
Produced by Louise Livesey May 2014
14/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice