The idea that students should be aware of the learning strategy that works best for them has gained ground over the years.
Beginning in the 1980s, learning styles became popular and theoretical as Honey and Mumford created questionnaires to help identify four types of students.
Assets: Learn to do
Theorists: Prefer concepts and facts
Pragmatists: Experiment with ideas to understand how they work
Reflective: Observe and think
Countless variations of these concepts have been adopted by educators, but are currently being replaced by other, more modern approaches.
Simon Gamble, an academic at the University of Bristol, says: “They are no longer in fashion, now the question is about what we are trying to achieve and what is the best way to get there.”
Recent research says that one of the best ways to learn something is to imagine how you could teach someone.
The University of Bristol has created individual tutorials and workshops to support graduate learning. And he advises students to create a timetable, not only for work at the university, but also for personal and professional life.
“Many graduate students underestimate the students’ life experience and the added value they can provide for the course,” says Gamble. “However, students can have a family or a part-time job and it is important to understand how they can reconcile all needs.”
It is important to take regular breaks
Kelly Louise Preece, a researcher at the University of Exeter Doctoral College, believes that to learn it is important to develop good work habits and follow basic practical rules, such as finding the best environment or going for a walk in order to increase creativity. It is also a good idea to take breaks. “The amount of time we spend working is not always the same as being productive”, he stresses.
Quality breaks are important to maximize the effectiveness of reviews. Hertfordshire trainee teacher Aaron Hynds says he likes to work hard, but he also needs to take regular breaks. Many hours of study can be counterproductive, because there is a time when you are no longer absorbing information. “I am going to play football a few times a week. This sporting activity keeps me sane and really helps with deadlines. “
How do I stay in shape for exams?
1. Create a task list: Divide tasks between those that need immediate attention and those that can be solved later.
2. Making reviews is highly individual: work on your strengths and weaknesses, which will highlight the problems that are preventing you from learning.
3. Be realistic over time: to avoid getting too much work in hand, write down concerns and deadlines in advance.
4. Have the necessary focus: It is better to have full attention for 20 minutes than an hour of distraction. Less is more, as long as it is quality time.
5. Check out what you know: Test yourself, ask questions and see if you can answer without consulting the books.
6. Working in a group: Recent research suggests that one of the most effective ways to learn is to imagine yourself teaching the topic to someone else – working in a group gives you the opportunity to do so in a real setting.
