wiser karen smith. barriers & motivators to learning

WISER

Karen Smith

Barriers & Motivators to Learning

Barriers & Motivators to Learning

Not my choice

Too much pressure from parents

Couldn’t practice

Fear of failure

De-motivated

Peers: doing more fun stuff

My choice

exciting

Confident in water

Beautiful environment

Highly motivated

buddies

Cool instructors

Skills for Success at UniversityAcademic Study SkillsTo be a more effective student at University students need to be able to do more than remember facts.

WISER offers specialist study support to all students at the university, from Year 1 to postgraduates who wish to learn more effectively and get better marks for their academic assignments and exams.

Skills for Success at UniversitySep 2009 - July 2010, 3,824 students had come to WISER.

Students who have used the service have commented:

• “ I improved by 20% after coming to your workshop and sending you my last assignment”Year 2 student

• “ I took on board all the issues you raised and I passed with 65% so I would like to say thank you very, very much.”

Year 3 student

• Academic support is fundamental to me as part of the research studies and WISER has been very helpful in this area. PhD Student

Why come to WISER?To find out about the demands and expectations of university study in the UK

To develop & improve a range of academic skills that are transferable across subject areas

Having academic skills allow you to focus on course content

To help students with their Personal & Professional Development Planning (PPDP)

Personal & Professional Development Planning

• A structured process undertaken by an individual to:– reflect upon their learning, performance and/or

achievement and– plan for their personal, educational and career

development.

• All university programmes must initiate and implement PPDP for students.

What is expected from students in HE?

• Independence• Self-motivation• Openness to working with others• Ability to

– work things out for yourself– set goals to improve your work– organise your time– work out when, how and where you learn best

Bloom’s Taxonomy and Assessment Bloom’s Taxonomy and Assessment

Comprehension Knowledge

Evaluation Analysis

Synthesis Application

knowledge

comprehension

application

analysis

synthesis

evaluation

What are your tutors looking for?

Description: Content, knowledge of models, tools & theory.

Analysis: Why? Why not? Cause and effect, reasons.

Synthesis: Structure, flow, logic in your assignments. Making arguments. Use of data/evidence to arrive at conclusions. REFERENCES to research literature.

Evaluation: Pros/cons. Advantages & disadvantages. Ranking. Strengths & weaknesses.

Study Skills?

• Do you know what academic style is, and how to write in it?

• Do you know about referencing, and how to do it properly?

• Do you know the difference between a report and an essay?

• Can you give an effective presentation in front of your course mates?

Note Making

In lectures…

…and from books

Academic Writing

Essays

Reports

Dissertations and Research Projects

Presentations Exam Technique

How can we help you?

• No need to book, just come along!

Topics include:• Note taking• Essay writing• Presentations• Exams • and others...

WORKSHOPS

Wed & Fri 2 - 4pm

FY317

How can we help you?

• Drop in – FY315• 2 hours everyday• Ask questions• Get feedback on your

work

TUTORIALS

Mon, Tues, Thurs12 -1 , 4 - 5pm

Wed & Fri 12 - 2pm

Please note!

• assignments 500+ words require 3 working days notice

• we will look at a maximum of 3000 words• you can only submit 1 assignment per 5

working days• write your name, email address & course at

the top of all work you hand in

The WISER team

Nick Gregson

Tania Horak

Karen Smith

Fylde 319

wiseraccess@uclan.ac.uk

www.uclan.ac.uk/wiser

Questions