A Brief Sketch of Study
Skills in the Classroom
By Jess Doan, Crystal Frank, and Adam Siciliano
G562 Summer II
What does ‘study skills’ mean?
Definition: Study – to acquire knowledge or
understanding of a subject; Skills – an art, trade,
or technique
Study skills – techniques used to acquire
knowledge or understanding of a subject
Study skills topic includes: test taking skills, notetaking skills, reading comprehension techniques,
time management skills, critical thinking skills
Academic Research – Study Skills
Early 1900s researchers thought study skills should
be taught as early as possible
Early main focus was on reading techniques
1950s – 1960s not a lot of research on study skills
or their importance
Todays study skills must include techniques for
different types of media, technology, and
informational text
Academic Research
Major problem for students – Poor time
management
Students can have higher academic achievement if
they can manage their time and know how to use
different study techniques
To be effective students must learn different study
techniques AND practice using them (apply them)
Change student’s attitudes toward study skills and
techniques to create real change in study behavior
Do’s and Don’ts
Note taking
Reading Textbooks
Taking tests
Additional resources
Taking Notes
Front of class – less distractions
Organization
Paraphrase – not enough time for everything!
Write clearly
Reading Textbooks
Intro, headings, subheadings
Read any summarizing paragraphs
Read captions to charts/graphs
Use dictionary for unfamiliar terms
Try to explain material out loud
Periodically stop reading and try to remember what you
have just read.
What are the main ideas?
Test
Format/Material
No distractions when studying! (i.e. music, television)
Be alert – avoid being hungry or sleepy
Proactive – don’t wait until night before
Repitition
Ask for help if unsure of material
Test (cont)
Group studying: 3-5 people
Practice on one another
Discuss the “why” questions
Taking the Test
Read the instructions carefully
Answer easiest – hardest. Pace yourself.
If you are stuck, come back to it.
MC – eliminate the ones you know
PROOFREAD!!
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Study Skills Interventions
Assessment activities
Interventions
Additional resources
Activities: Assessments
What’s your learning style?
Tactile
Auditory
Visual
Combination
Which study habits can you improve?
Worksheet that you can download, print, and give to students
What’s your learning style?
What’s your learning style?
What’s your learning style?
Which Study Habits
Can You Improve?
Which Study Habits
Can You Improve?
Which Study Habits
Can You Improve?
Intervention:
S.O.A.R Study Skills
S.O.A.R Study Skills
Cost:
Study Skills Workbook: $19.99 (for 4-20 books)
Multi-Media Teacher’s Guide: $499
Some additional recommended items:
Planner, Binder, Folders, Paper, File Storage Box
Several other resources are available for purchase to tailor
your school’s plan to fit student’s needs.
Some free resources for students, educators and parents
can be requested online
S.O.A.R Study Skills
Time Requirements:
20 lessons, 10-20 minutes each
Minimal Prep time (with Multi-Media Guide)
Evidence of effectiveness:
“Teacher’s declare SOAR 98.9% effective in improving
student performance”-SOAR Website
Several Case Studies of successful implementation of
program found on website
Several Awards given to SOAR
S.O.A.R Study Skills
“An Investigation of the SOAR Study Method” Jairam &
Kiewra, Journal of Advanced Academics
Researchers found that SOAR studiers outperformed the
control group by 41% on the relationship (open-ended)
test, and by 4% on the fact (matrix cell) test.
Reference: Jairam, D., & Kiewra, K. A. (2009). An Investigation of the SOAR Study Method. Journal Of
Advanced
Academics, 20(4), 602-629.
Other helpful (& free!) resources
Test Taking Tips: www.testtakingtips.com
Tips on test taking, note taking, study skills, reducing test
anxiety and tips for parents
How to Study: www.how-to-study.com
Information on studying, note taking, tests, remembering,
organization, etc
Student Activity
Study Skills BINGO!
Each student receives a
bingo card with a blank grid
(25 boxes: 5 down 5 across
and the middle box is ‘Free
Space’)
Under grid are the answers
(words and phrase) that
students put where every
they want on the BINGO card
Caller picks and reads a
question at random and the
students find the answer on
their BINGO card
Follow Up Survey
Please go to the following link to complete a short
survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CDVXWCH
References
Fazal, S., Hussain, Majoka, M. I., Massod, S. (2012). The
Role of Study Skills in Academic Achievement of
Students: A Closer Focus on Gender. Pakistan Journal of
Psychological Research, 27(1), 37-51.
Downey, R. G., Robyak, J. E. (1978). Effectiveness of a
Study Course for Students of Different Academic
Achievement Personality Types. Journal of Counseling
Psychology, 25(6), 544-550.
Jansen, E. P. W. A., Suhre, J. M. (2010). The Effect of
Secondary School on First Year University Achievement.
Educational Studies, 36(5), 569-580.
Richardson, J. S. (2010). A Histroy of Study Skills: Not
Hot, But Not Forgotten. Reading Improvement. URRL:
readperiodicals.com
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