Purpose Statement
Students who enroll in
this course are often surprised that the textbook contains theoretical concepts
and terminology that are not "common sense." Even though weekly
readings quizzes are included in the course to keep students current with the
assigned readings, lectures explain and elaborate on the concepts, and review
sheets for the midterm were provided, students still seemed ill prepared for
the exam. The purpose of creating the Study Tips Sheet was to provide students
with a detailed "guide" which, if applied, would likely result in
improved test scores. Of course, the key here is if applied. This point was
emphasized to them.
Description of Activity
The Study Tips Sheet is
a detailed and step-by-step approach a student can take in going over weekly
assigned readings and preparing for an exam. It details procedures for
outlining chapters on the initial reading, categorizing terms, and suggests
methods for utilizing these notes in preparation for examinations.
Application
Ideally, the Study Tips
Sheet should be distributed to students at the beginning of the semester. In
the communication department, most courses require students to purchase a
Workbook (at a nominal price) which consists of activities, grading sheets,
project instructions, and the like. Also included are Standards for Student
Conduct sheets which are gone over with students the first day of class.
Perhaps something like the Study Tips Sheet could be included in a Workbook, or
given as a handout to students the first week of the semester while other
procedural matters are being discussed.
The problem I have noticed with this, however, is that in spite of students
possessing a written copy of instructions, guidelines, expectations, etc., and
these having been related to them orally by the instructor as well, some
students still act as though it is "news to them" when they encounter
problems.
I would suggest building into the syllabus, at about the fourth or fifth week,
a quick review of things such as student standards for the class and items like
the Study Tips Sheet. Remind students that their academic success is up to
them, and that a systematic approach will certainly serve them better than
"cram sessions."
Related Student Services
Probably the study
skills course.
Links/Handouts
this web page was created
on 2/24/99 at 4:22:31 PM
and modified on 3/29/2000 at 2:52:08 PM