A 4-session series on helping students become good learners was organised by the Educational Development Centre during the summer. This series focused on four aspects, which were "DEEP", "GROUP", "GOLD-CONSCIOUS" and "SELF-REGULATING" of a good learner. For each session, practical ideas and easy-to-use worksheets were developed to help students learn how to learn effectively.
I would like to discuss two types of documents which are very useful.
"Knowledge Building Worksheet" can be designed to develop students' cognitive abilities. For a particular topic, by filling up the worksheet on "Collect", "Connect" and "Create", students can transform their conception of learning from a quantitative level to a qualitative one. Students usually learn a subject passively by absorbing what the teacher has said. By using this worksheet, students can think beyond the given fact; they not only learn by memory, but also develop their habit of self-reflection.
Some of the science students may ask why they have to study computing programmes; some of the arts students may ask why they have to study mathematics. They may get lost and show no interests in the class. This may be because of their lack of understanding about the learning goals, resulting in their lack of motivation for study. In order to help students become goal-conscious learner, preferred graduate checklists can be designed for each discipline such that students can better understand the programme goals. Students can rank themselves according to their understanding of the qualities of the preferred graduates in their discipline. After completing the checklist, teachers may help identify areas for development and improvement. Students can then set a plan of personal learning goals for further achievement.
If you are interested in knowing more about the workshop, you are welcome to find me or click here for more information.
Let's try to make our teaching more effective by developing our students into good learners.