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Virginia Tech: Study Skills Self-help Information
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Activity Description
This site has many good ideas on study skills for your students. It covers everything from note-taking, remembering, and how to read a difficult book, to writing term papers. It might be a good place to send students at the beginning of the year.
Screenshot of Virginia Tech's list of Study Skills Self-Help Information
Preparation
- Review the list of study skills in the navigation pane on the left.
- Decide which you would like to focus on for your students. You may want to start with the "Where does time go?" activity to help students understand how easy it is to use up their day.
- If your students are working independently, you might want to look at the section labeled Online Study Skills Workshops and have them work through one of the four workshops.
Teacher Tips
- Review the online workshops. You may want to show them to your students.
- These resources are excellent. They can be part of a study skills elective class or an introduction to re-entering school for adults.
More Ways
- Use this site for all the aspects of developing study skills
Program Areas
- ASE: High School Diploma
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
Levels
- All Levels
Lesson Plan
Objective: Engage students and introduce the concept of time management.
Activity: "Where Does Time Go?" exercise.
Instructions:
- Provide students with a daily schedule template.
- Ask them to fill out how they typically spend their time each day.
- Discuss as a class the different ways time is spent and identify areas for improvement.
Objective: Explain the importance of study skills and introduce the resources available.
Discussion:
- Begin by discussing why study skills are crucial for academic success.
- Introduce the Virginia Tech Study Skills Self-Help website as a valuable resource.
- Highlight the different sections available: note-taking, reading, writing term papers, and online workshops.
Objective: Teach students specific study skills and methods.
Interactive Lecture:
Time Scheduling:
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- Explain the importance of effective time management.
- Introduce tools like planners, digital calendars, and time-blocking techniques.
Note-Taking:
- Present the Cornell Notes system.
- Demonstrate how to use it effectively with a sample lecture or reading material.
Objective: Allow students to practice the new study skills they have learned.
Group Activity:
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- Divide students into small groups.
- Each group selects a study skill from the website (note-taking, reading strategies, etc.) and practices it.
- For note-taking, provide a short lecture or article for students to apply the Cornell Notes method.
Independent Work:
- Have students explore the Online Study Skills Workshops on the Virginia Tech website.
- Each student chooses one workshop to complete independently.
Objective: Assess students' understanding and application of the study skills.
Activity:
Group Presentations
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- Each group presents their findings and experiences with their selected study skill.
- Discuss as a class or in small groups, the effectiveness of each method and any challenges faced.
Quiz:
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- A short quiz on the key points covered in the lesson (time management, Cornell Notes, etc.).
Objective: Encourage students to apply study skills to their daily routines.
Assignment:
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- Students create a one-week study plan using the tools and techniques learned.
- Include time-blocking for study sessions, homework, and other activities.
- Implement the Cornell Notes method for notes during the week.
Follow-Up:
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- Schedule a check-in session after one week to discuss progress and make adjustments as needed.
Documents
- Study Skills Information.png - Screenshot of Virginia Tech's list of Study Skills Self-Help Information
Standards
- Speaking and Listening
- CCR Anchor 2 - Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.