Things to consider

• Am I sure I understand exactly what I am supposed to be learning?

• Where is there a choice in how I am learning?

• What choices and decisions am I being expected to make?

• How am I being supported or prompted to make decisions? What decision-

making strategies am I developing/have I developed?

How am I prompted and supported to reflect on my learning and choices?

What research skills do I have/need to learn?

What mechanisms of accountability are in place? – Deadlines, responsibility to

others etc.

• Don’t forget: Independent learning is what it says – Independent.

• Ask for help when you need it, but outside of lessons, work how best suits you.

You know the ways you learn best.

Developing Learning Skills

- How to be a good learner -

- Having a Growth Mindset -

- Independent Study Skills -

High Attainers @

How to be a good learner

What can you do?

Know what your target grades are and, importantly, how to get there. What

does an A or B grade examination response or piece of work look like

Understand exams – the structure of the paper, what examiners are looking

for in different types of questions, looking at mark schemes.

Know the course specifications inside out. Use this document as a way of

keeping track of learning so far, as well as seeing what else is needed. The

specification covers everything the exam board can ask you about, so if you are

confident with this, you will be confident with what is on the exam.

Focus on the quality of work. Not just doing it, but doing it well.

Seek to improve. Look carefully at the comments and targets teachers write

in books or give in class and use this to inform your next response. If you are

unsure about how to improve, ask your teacher.

Ask teachers questions to deepen your understanding of a topic or area of

study. There is still time to ask for help!

Become an expert. Continue to read widely around your subjects, accessing

revision guides, web-based learning resources and other sources to fully

understand a topic. The more you know, the more comfortable you will be with

a question.

Put the time in to homework, revision and additional study. Use your time

effectively, and make the most of lesson time.

Plan your time out carefully so you work hard, but find time for relaxation.

Timetables and lists of things to do are useful.

Be pro-active – know when exams and deadlines are and work in advance

towards them, not just the night before.

• Asking for support and advice when needed is critical. Unlike school, you are

unlikely to be spoon-fed all the information you need in work or at university.

• If you need help, ask for it!

How to be an independent learner

• Active reader: You will need to be an active reader, paying close attention to

the words you are reading and their meaning.

• Skim read: Speed read or skim material before reading it in detail and then

summarising the text in your notes.

• Go solo: Practice working on your own for long periods of time without seeking

the help of an adult.

• Different sources: When doing research, try to draw from a variety of different

sources.

• Be persistent: If a task is challenging, don’t give up. Keep at it until you

understand what you need to do.

• Set goals: A good way to keep your motivation up is to think what you want to

get out of your work and remind yourself next time you’re flagging.

• Effective time management: In work or at university, you will have several

pieces of work to juggle at any one time. Break each project down into the

relevant tasks, work out how long you will need to spend on each part, then

allocate time in your diary.

• Discussions: If you want to expand an argument but are stuck for ideas, get a

debate going with friends or peers. This could help you think about an element

you hadn’t considered before.

• Seek help where necessary: If you need help, ask for it!

Independent Study Skills

What do we mean?

• Independent learning is when you think, act and pursue your studies on your

own, without the same level of support you receive from a teacher at school.

• You need to be able to do your own research instead of expecting a teacher to

give you all the background material you might need.

• To become a good independent learner you need to be:

- Motivated

- Resilient, to overcome challenges

- An excellent time manager

What does it require?

Independent learning also requires:

- Understanding what you are learning/expected to do

- Choice

- Reflection

- Research skills

- Accountability

…but most importantly…

- Asking for appropriate support when needed

• Independent learning does NOT mean that you have to work alone, and

without any help.

Active Learning

Just reading isn’t enough– revision needs to be ACTIVE. However, copying out

class notes is not only boring but also ineffective.

Transforming notes into different formats will help you to UNDERSTAND it

- Mind maps

- Drawing a picture / Make a poster

- File / Flash / Test cards (answers on back)

- Venn diagrams

- Paper chains / Road of life – make the journey and people real!

- Music and voice / Multi senses

You will remember what you understand

Practice papers

Use practice papers / mocks

Mistakes = Missing Knowledge

Identify topic areas

Avoid making the same mistake twice

Specifically, where did you lose marks?

Why were you wrong?

How should it be done?

Create a checklist

Having a Growth Mindset

A Growth Mindset is a belief that:

- Intelligence can be developed

- Challenges are to be embraced

- There is no failure, only feedback

- The success of others should inspire you

- Perseverance is a key to success

- Effort leads to mastery