Learning Skills

What is LEARNING ?
The act of gaining knowledge
or skills
A change in behaviour and/or
attitude
Doing: an active process in
which you must be involved
Problem Solving
Learning can be planned or
incidental
Learning is living and it is
Lifelong: as we live we learn

Pre requisites

Learning Skills are the

aspects that encompass
the following factors and
these skills accelerate
the process of learning
Specific Skills
Awareness
Attitude
Environment

Specific Skills

Note taking
Listening
Thinking
Test-writing
Reading
Studying
Memorizing

Awareness
Best way of Learning
Getting Help
Self-evaluation

Learning Styles

Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Mixed
Modalities

33%
24%
14%
29%

Auditory Learners
Learn through listening and
talking
Enjoy talking even to
themselves and when
learning, they may vocalise
silently
Like listening to dialogue but
avoid long descriptions
Remember names but not
faces
Tend to focus on the whole,
sometimes missing the
details
Choose to solve problems by
talking them through

Visual Learners
Learn by watching, seeing or
imaging
Often think in pictures based
on descriptions, visualizing or
imaging information as it is
presented
Visual disorder may distract
these learners who tend to be
quiet, neat, orderly, well
planned and organised
Focus on the details rather
than on the whole task,
dooding or finding something to
watch during a presentation

Kinesthetic Learners
Learn best through
physical processes of
touching or moving
Like to perform
procedures for
themselves
Are action oriented and
remember better when
they are physically
involved in the learning
process
Are poor listeners they
use gestures, while
speaking

Listening Skills
Develop listening skills in
order to get more
information
Listen with
- Reasoning
- Feelings
- Being
Therefore effective
Listening is a skill which is
essential

Listening effectively
L Lead
Link
I Intent
Interest
Ignore
S Signals
Stay
T Talk
Think
E Eye Contact
N - Notes

Note Taking Skills

Why Note taking is
important?
Action
Speed
(words per minute)

Speaking
125 150
Reading
250 300
Writing
25 30
Thinking
450 500
If you are not focused it is
very difficult to take notes
when someone is talking at
normal speed

Note Taking Tools & Process

Tools Used

Two column formats

Abbreviations
Symbols and
Mind Map

Effective Process
Observing
Recording
Reviewing

Observe
Set the Stage
Review the Previous
class notes
Note questions you want
to ask
Practice Be Here
exercise
Listen attentively
Watch the Board/OHP
Screen
Copy all Diagrams and
charts
Observe Teachers clues

Record. (the cornel format)

Key words or
important points
_________________________
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____________

Page #, date ..
Subject
Name of the teacher
LECTURE NOTES
________________________________________
________________________________________
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General Hints for Note Taking

Listen actively
Write neatly
Include illustrations
Use your own words
(except formulae, equations)

Use Key Words

Use symbols & Abbr.
Use colour pens

Date and number all

notes
Note corresponding
Page No. of the Text
Book
Use one side of the
paper
Start each lecture
note on a new page
Review notes with in
24 hrs

Mind Maps
Mind Maps are visual
patterns of subject
Large subject can be
condensed in a small
area
By building a map in
the paper you build it
in your mind
Use Colours Key
words Standard
Symbols and
Abbreviations

This mind map was produced from standard lecture notes

so that a student could clarify the key points of the lecture.

Sample Lecture Mind Map

Sample Essay Mind Map

This mind map is a critical essay in engineering. It doesn't include items

such as assessment criteria but it does show a thorough outline of possible
approaches the student could take

How to do a Mind Map

Write down a Central Idea

Think of new and related ideas which could radiate out from the
Centre
Focus on Key Ideas and write down in your own words
Look for relationship
Draw quickly without judging, pausing and editing
turn the note book

& do a mind map in "landscape" style

Leave lots of space

Some of the most useful mind maps are those which are added to
over a period of time
After drawing the mind map you may wish to highlight things, add
information or add questions for the duration of a subject right up until
exam time

Review
Review within 24 hours
Edit Notes
Compare Text Books and
consult Teacher for
clarifications
Check abbreviations
Write key words if anything
left out
Use your key words as
clues to recite
Cover your notes and try to
recite by seeing the key
word

Reading Skills 3 Phases

I Before you Read
1. Preview
2. Out line
3. Question

II While you Read

1. Read
2. Underline
3. Answer

III After you Read

1. Recite
2. Review
3. Review again

Effective Reading Tips

Avoid long reading
sessions
Visualise the material
Read it aloud
Get a feel for the
subject, literally
Avoid reading in Bed
Sit up, Keep your spine
straight
Sit on the edge of your
chair

Good Study Habits

Study in a well lit environment
Study the most important/difficult subjects first
Make summaries of Notes and recite
Avoid/Limit distractions
Have Study partner, quiz each other, compare notes
Collect all materials before you sit
Take scheduled breakstudy 50 min. relax 10 min
Be relaxed dont panic; practice deep breathing; massage
your neck & shoulder muscles
Apply Time Management Tech. Memory Tech.

Test Writing
Before the Test
Plan Review
Create Review Tools
Review before sleeping
Take care of Health Do exercise

During the Test

Relax & Breath Deep
Visualise Success
Read Question Paper carefully
Plan and allocate time

After the Test

Celebrate or give yourself a
reward
Analyse