Parents/Pupil Study Evening

1. Parents/Pupil Study Evening

2. Food for Thought… • “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough we must do.” (Goethe) • “Learning is not a spectator sport.” (D. Blocher) • “Retention is best when the learner is involved.” (E. Scannell) • “When you know something, say what you know. When you don't know something, say that you don't know. That is knowledge." (Confucius) • “What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand.” (Confucius)

3. What will be covered this evening? • The learning Process • Learning Styles • Myths • Revision Planning • The Role of Parents • Study Techniques • Conditions to Help Memory • Exam Techniques • Managing Exam Stress • Key Points • Open Forum –discussion; review resources

4. About Learning... • Active process • Learning to learn is a skill for life • The WHY and HOW • W.I.I.F.M. • Three areas of learning: • Registering • Retaining • Recalling

5. Learning Styles Using preferred learning style/s will make studying more effective and efficient (Learning Styles Questionnaire) • Visual Learner • Auditory Learner • Kinaesthetic Learner Left Brain/Right Brain Learner • Find out your dominant side Multiple Intelligences The learning process is enhanced when all of our senses are used.

6. Myths… • I don’t need to study for the English exam… Activity • I’ve no homework… • Parent - I don’t know anything about the subject so I can’t help…

7. Revision Planning - Getting Started... Study has to be planned, consider: • Where study will take place • What will be studied • When study will take place Organise Study • How will study be done Study Techniques

8. Organising Study Where? • Environment: usually discovered through trial/error. • Psychologically better to have a regular place to study. • With or without music/sound? • The best place to work is the place where you work best.

9. Organising Study What? • Prioritise/Traffic lighting • Pupils should study what they don’t know – brainstorm topics

10. Organising Study When? • Plan ahead/encourage use of a year planner. • Make a study timetable. • Check/chart progress. • Study for periods of 30 – 40 minutes with a 5-10 minute break. • Provide rewards. • Allow time (at least an hour) before study and bed time.

11. Parent Role in the Process… • Ongoing support – help to relieve the stress. • To maintain normal routine (mealtimes, etc) • Helping your child to plan, prepare and prioritise. • Be a study partner. • Newspaper/programmes: discussion. Words of the week, etc • Reinforcing the messages in this presentation.

12. Study Techniques - Reading • Detailed reading can be a problem • Requires: skimming, scanning and close reading • Use SQ3R approach: Survey Question Read Recall Review • Use K W L: KNOW (now) WANT (to know) LEARNED • Reading has to be active – not passive! Use summarising

13. Making Notes • Write key words. • Omit small words – keep no and not. • Use abbreviations – know what they mean. • If notes are not complete – encourage your son/daughter to obtain ones that are! • Use different layouts – colours, capitals, drawings, diagrams, bullet points. • Keep up to date. • Store notes carefully.

14. Study Techniques • Brainstorming • Make visual connections • Make mindmaps/posters • Revision/study cards • Bullet points • Colour coding/Highlighting • Use post-its • Use of technology – e.g. record onto mobile.

15. Study Techniques • Tackle manageable chunks. • Watch programmes/DVD’s on the subject. • Collaborative study () • Use of rhyme/rap. • Go over what you’ve studied/ practise recall when you’re out walking the dog, running, etc. • Practise answering exam questions.

16. Study Techniques Assessing progress: • Test • Recall • Brainstorm topic again • Study plan – chart progress, problems, next steps

17. Short Term Memory Exercise • 9 2 8 3 7 4 6

18. Working Memory Exercise Add 5 and 3 and 8 and 4, then divide by 2

19. Conditions to Help Memory • Activity • Intend to remember -find a reason for remembering. • Understand what is to be learned. • Link new knowledge to things already known and understood. • Using a multi-sensory approach: visual memory • Practise recalling new knowledge. • Be interested. • Use mnemonics: e.g. Every Green Bus Drives Fast (lines on a stave of music)

20. In the exam hall … Encourage your child to: • Be prepared – have all the necessary equipment • Read questions carefully • Plan answers; plan time • Check allocated marks for each question • Proof read all your answers (re read questions too!) • Don’t leave blank spaces – have a go • Don’t panic!

21. Manage the Stress… • Encourage your son/daughter to talk about their feelings. • Help them to plan & prioritise. • Remind them not to work constantly – take regular breaks. • Look after their health – eat properly. Get fresh air – walk; exercise. • Remember they don’t have to give up their social life – just not every night!!!

22. Relaxation Technique • Activity

23. Key Points • Be pro-active: active not passive • Keep positive attitude: I can do this; I will do this • Plan, organise, prioritise study • Tackle manageable chunks • Use memory techniques: recall often • Know self - learning style/s; • Don’t panic – manage the stress • Practise exam technique.

24. Open Forum • Thank you for attending, we will now answer any questions you may have. • Library study books available to borrow – just sign for them please. • Please complete an evaluation form. Moira Peck (Acting P.T. SFL)