Learning Toolkit
1. Why Learn?
3.Study skills on the Internet
We believe that everyone has the ability to change their lives at any age through learning.
In recent years, people who have used any of the range of Learning Centres in Lanarkshire have gone on to successfully complete university degrees, get better jobs, and start up their own businesses.
But learning isn't just about getting a better job, or increasing your earning power. Learning can help you grow as a person. It can give you more confidence, a new purpose in life, and a broader range of interests as well as a better social life and the ability to mould your own future.
Lifelong Learning has the power to transform us and it can be challenging, absorbing, and great fun. You can fit it around your personal circumstances and really achieve things you thought were impossible.
Take the challenge! What have you got to lose?
Your Learning Plan
When you enrol with your learning provider, you will be introduced to someone who can discuss your learning needs. Together you will develop a plan that will take into account all your learning requirements and be the most convenient for you.
When your learning plan has been set up, it can be reviewed whenever you like and amended to take into account any change in your circumstances, or plans.
Your contact will also explain the programmes that are available and are best suited to your learning plan. They can also put you in touch with other agencies you might need to help you achieve your goals.
Our priority is to develop your personal learning plan, whether you want to work towards a qualification, or whether there is just something that interests you that you want to learn about. So get looking, make your choice then contact your learning provider and talk to them about your ambitions
Hello and welcome. You may have decided to study Care, Beauty, Welding, Catering, Computing skills or Business Studies or something else. Or you may not have decided yet.
But while the content of all of the classes may be different, the process is the same. The following three things happen:
Input
Your tutors offer you a range of learning experiences: talks, handouts, demonstrations, practical exercises, Internet searches, group work and visits, etc. and you add to this by working on your studies independently.
Storage
You have to find a way to hold on to the skills and knowledge you have gained until you are asked to demonstrate them.
Output
You may use your new skills in everyday life as a matter of course. For more formal certificated courses, you will be asked to show what you know and what you can do in a variety of ways: written assessments, practical exercises, essays, projects and talks, etc.
While these three things are happening, you need to be able to manage yourself - work out the best way for you to study, keep to deadlines, organise your personal life alongside your studies and ask for help when you need it.
That's what this study skills area is all about:
- learning successfully
- keeping hold of what you know
- showing what you know
- managing yourself
In the meantime, you could check out some general study skills websites to give yourself a flavour of what will be covered.
Click on the links to visit the websites:
BBC Learning
The BBC's portal site to all of its learning material.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/
BBC Return to Learning
The BBC site for adult learners.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/returning/index.shtml
BBC AS Guru
BBC site designed for Advanced A level in England - but has some good material.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/asguru/studyskills/generalstudies/index.shtml
How to Study
A commercial site selling study skills CDs - but it does give a good overview of study skills with a collection of learning chunks suitable for beginners.
Ageless Learner
A site containing articles and links about how the brain works
http://agelesslearner.com/intros/brains.html
University of Otago, New Zealand
Very comprehensive site offering good advice for those on higher level courses.
http://slc.otago.ac.nz/studyskills/studyskills.asp
Support for Learning
This site gives advice about education and also money, health, careers, counselling and the community. There are hundreds of website links.
http://www.support4learning.org.uk/home/index.cfm
BBC Key Skills - Report Writing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills/comms/level3/module4/1.shtml
Not exactly a game, but an interactive exercise designed to help you write a good report.
Think about how, where and when to study.
How are your reading, writing and number skills?
Can you read, write and use numbers confidently?
If you feel you may need help have a look at the ‘Returning to Learning' Section of the site
It is easy for your reading, writing and number skills to slide if:
- You haven't been involved in any learning for a while
- You have been unemployed
- You have been working in a job where you didn't have to do any paperwork or calculations
- You been at home caring for family members
Many programmes of study include Communication and Numeracy in some form. However, if you feel you are rusty and need a bit of extra practice to brush up, you can use the websites on the following screens:
BBC Skillswise
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/
This site will take you through the basics of reading, writing and number work. There are factsheets, worksheets, games and quizzes. It is written for adults and doesn't talk down to you.
BBC Keyskills
http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills/
This material is written for use in English colleges and schools but the basics remain the same. Covers Communication (English) and Numeracy (Arithmetic).
Sometimes things go better when you work together.......
Studying in Groups
American research shows that studying with other students is more effective than studying alone.
Here are some of the advantages of having friends to study with:
You can discuss what you learned in class and fill in the gaps for each other.
- You can make sure that you understand the material thoroughly by explaining it to each other.
- You can work on plans and ideas for assessments together.
- You can help each other prepare for exams and tests.
- You can teach each other new skills and give tips, e.g. for use of software.
- You can do practical things like picking up handouts and taking notes for students who are absent.
- You can look out for students who are struggling with their course work and give them a bit of support - it's nice to be nice.
If you would like to learn more about studying in pairs or groups, visit the following websites:
Washington University at St. Louis
http://news-info.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/5642.html
Discovering Why Study Groups Are More Effective
University of Victoria, Canada
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/studygr.html
Using Study Groups to Increase Learning
University of Minnesota Duluth
http://www.d.umn.edu/student/loon/acad/strat/grpstudy1.html
Group Study - Some Guidelines
You don't have to do it all by yourself..........
Sources of help
All of the staff in your centre will want you to feel comfortable with the work you are asked to do. If you feel you are not coping, despite trying your best, you can ask for help.
for example, the following types of help are usually available:
- Support for Learning
Help with Communication, Numeracy and IT and also Study Skills (Time Management, Essay Writing, Reading Strategies, etc.) This help is usually short term.
- Additional Support for Learning
Extra help is available if you have Sensory Impairment, Physical Disability, Medical Conditions, Mental Health Issues, Specific Learning Difficulties, etc.
- Adult Literacy and Numeracy
Help with reading, writing and number work. This type of help can be long term and can continue after your course of study is finished.
And always remember - Ask in your centre about help with your studies if you need it. Staff in all MyETL partner organisations will only be too happy to help you themselves or make contact with another organisation on your behalf.