More reflections on Study Skills

Ten Days has passed, and obviously have been thinking more on this topic

I have had some conversations with colleagues at school and elsewhere and the big challenge is that study skills are different for each subject area and its the faculty that needs to come up with ideas on how to do it.

As a Teacher Librarian, I would need to collaborate with them in this area. It does give me a challenge. I don't specialise in every subject and would need to find out what the requirements are for each subject, but I would enjoy that challenge and gaining an insight into the skills needed for each subject.

I would have to work off a common set of skills needed, and then apply it to that subject.

Also I have been researching the various organisations that provide study skills seminars to students. I have felt that there are unanswered questions and whether or not the people facilitating them are educators given that study skills need to relate back to the curriculum.

I'll have to keep working on it next term, particularly as I become "on call" again as a Casual Teacher. If you know of anyone who needs a T/L to fill in, please feel free to contact me.

Skills for Study and Lifelong Learning

Another idea which has come into my mind in recent times has been study skills and the need to provide students with skills that they need for lifelong learning.

Just finding resources is a real challenge - whether it is printed material or material that has been published by schools or universities. And the bigger challenge - How does it apply to Australian settings?

There are simply so many things to consider when we teach information literacy and lifelong learning skills:

• Time Management - So many kids complain of being "too busy", when with an organised schedule, they can get the most of the time that they have for study and fun.
• The process of doing assignments and preparing for exams.
• Reading and comprehending information.
• Academic Integrity (referencing and bibliographies)
• Text Types
• Well being through school
• Library skills
• Internet search skills
• Learning to use a variety of resources and not rely merely on Google. 

I have been using my time this term to begin to waddle through this information and try to create a set of resources to help students succeed in their studies. I have been focusing on workshops etc and have tried to offer them at a school where I am filling in this term. Students have been very reluctant to take advantage of what is available to them. 

It feels like my head is going on several paths this term, but it will be interesting to see where it heads.