Effective Study and Learning: How to Help

Part of the How to Help series of books exploring issues commonly faced by children and young people at home and at school, Effective Study and Learning offers a complete introduction to these critical yet frequently overlooked topics. Many young people exert considerable effort in 'studying' but still come away disappointed with the results, particularly when faced with traditional written exams. All too often, they fail to fulfil their potential not because of a lack of hard work, but because they have not mastered the study and learning techniques that are fundamental to success in education and eventually in the workplace. Highlighting why self-knowledge and understanding one's own learning style and preferences are critical to success, Gavin Reid and Jennie Guise consider the skills and strategies required for effective study and successful learning - and how parents, carers, teachers and schools can help.

Learners in today’s education system face many challenges. Some relate directly to learning, but others are personal, interpersonal and environmental issues that can prevent the student from functioning effectively in the learning situation. Learning must therefore be viewed from a whole person perspective, and a holistic approach to its planning is necessary.

Modern education focuses heavily on learning content, but seldom does it teach children and young people how to learn – and in particular how to move from surface learning to deep learning. The core topic of this book is therefore ‘learning to learn’ – how to equip young people not only with information on how human beings learn most effectively, but also with the self-knowledge to understand themselves and develop their own techniques and strategies.

Table of Contents

Series Preface

About the Authors

Authors' Preface

How to Use This Book

Part 1: Introduction

1. What is learning?
2. Readiness to learn
3. The learning environment
4. The process of learning

Part 2: Personal and interpersonal issues

5. Self-efficacy and self-esteem

6. Motivation

7. Stress and anxiety

Part 3: The learning environment

8. Barriers to learning

9. The school ethos

10. Feedback

11. Metacognition - Understanding how you learn

12. Classroom design

13. Differentiation

Part 4: The learning process

14. Time management and organisation

15. Information gathering

16. Note-taking

17. Linking new information to prior knowledge

18. Problem-solving skills

19. Understanding what is being taught

20. Supporting and improving memory

Part 5: Essay writing, exams & lifelong learning

21. Planning and writing a good essay

22. Exam preparation and test-taking practices

23. Lifelong learning Part 6: Conclusion and resources

24. Summary

25. Advice for parents and carers

26. Advice for teachers

Appendices