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2G CAN Published by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development
With support from the WK. Kellogg Foundation and Sid W. Richardson Foundation

 

 

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ATTACKING THE SKILLS PROBLEM: A USEFUL STUDY AID

The increase in numbers of students experiencing reading, writing, and studying difficulties is obvious.
One major cause of these difficulties is student lack of essential study, organizational, and work es Con-
temporary research documents a close relationship between a learner's reading and writing patterns; there ore, it
stands to reason that instructional emphasis should be placed on both methods of learning—verbal and written
communication.

A Study Aids Sheet

One method by which college instructors can help learners to read better, write more effectively, ape, take
more comprehensive notes (which in turn will improve study habits) is to require student use of a special study
aids sheet. This sheet—with proper supervision—assists students in better retention of conceptual information,
key facts/data, and important vocabulary.

Spiral, lined notebooks or blank, loose-leaf note folders—most commonly used by college students today—
offer no direction to the reader/writer. However, this specifically designed study guide sheet emphasizes the
role that critical reading information plays in learning; at the same time, it visually depicts the interrelationships
between main ideas, factual information, and vocabulary—three key elements in the reading, writing, and study-
ing processes. In effect, these study aids sheets become a substitute for an ordinary college notebook.

An Important Introduction

At the beginning of the course, the instructor gives each class member a number of blank copies of a
study sheet. Then, in several carefully planned, brief lectures on basic course content, the instructor hoe y
provides direction for the appropriate placement of essential information and notes on the sheet—signi an
conceptual matter in the upper section and key factual information/terminology in the lower two cae
Chalkboard instruction in using the study sheet serves to visually demonstrate the learning strategy for students.
In addition, students are instructed to record the pertinent course information—names of texts (course and refer-
ence), exam dates, study assignments, etc.—in the designated spaces for easy reference. Students are ee to
keep all notes by chapter or by lecture titles and in chronological order so that using them in ee or ex-
ams is facilitated. Finally, it is suggested that when a sheet is filled with information, students may either write
on the back side or use additional sheets.

Evaluation

Those of us who have used this study aids sheet in our classes have found it to be a most effective a
ing tool. Gradually, students begin to see differences between significant and less important information. They
learn to discriminate between main ideas and small, but critical, facts.

 

This study aids sheet appears on the reverse side of this Abstracts.

DOUGLAS COLLEGE
ARCHIVES

Peter Incardone
Assistant Professor

 

For further information, contact the author at Jersey City State College, Jersey City, NJ 07305.

 

 

 

42" Community College Leadership Program, The Universi

of Texas at Austin, EDB 348, Austin, Texas 78712