STUDY SKILLS & TMA PREPARATION

CONTENTS

1 WOU’s Study Model and You 2 Self-Study: How to do it successfully 3 Time Requirement and Management 4 Tutors and Tutorial Support 5 Assignments and Examinations

ORIENTATION—JULY 2012—PG,IP,KL,JB,KC

ORIENTATION—JULY 2012—PG,IP,KL,JB,KC

Now that you have decided … the next question is: “How?”

1 WOU’s Study Model and You

Assessments & Exams WawasanLearn

ORIENTATION—JULY 2012—PG,IP,KL,JB,KC

Tutorials Digital Library

1 WOU’s Study Model and You Implications to You

• A Different Approach to Learning • You Take Control of Your Own Learning • Acquire a New Set of Study Skills • Change in Life-Style

ORIENTATION—JULY 2012—PG,IP,KL,JB,KC

2 Self-Study: How to do it successfully Learning takes place through:

• Interactive Course Materials: – exercises & activities – further readings – self-test (Quizzes, CMAs) – audio & video materials • Study/Discussion groups with peers • Online via WawasanLearn (LMS) • WOU Digital Library • Preparation of Assignments (TMAs), feedback

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2 Self-Study: How to do it successfully To undertake self-study successfully:

• Set Realistic and Achievable Goals • Adopt Effective Learning Styles & Strategies* • Practice Effective Time Management – balance between study and work, family and other obligations * some sacrifices may have to be made.

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2 Self-Study: How to do it successfully Effective Learning Styles & Strategies - know yourself!

Learning Styles 1. Visual learners-prefer to see what is being learnt.

2. Auditory/verbal learners enjoy oral discussion.

3. Active learners-like to engage themselves with the material 4. Reflective learners-like to think about and digest new information.

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Strategies Concept maps, colour coding, creating diagrams.

Explain concepts to peers, use mnemonics, create own audio tapes by reading notes Take notes, fill in sheets and work with models.

Review new work, write summaries, create own overview of topics.

2 Self-Study: How to do it successfully Effective Learning Styles & Strategies - know yourself!

Learning Styles 5. Sensory learners-like to learn facts, details and solve problems 6. Intuitive learners-like to discover new relationships but dislike repetition.

7. Sequential learners-like the step by step approach.

8. Global learners-like to see the big picture before learning details.

Strategies Memorise facts, work on projects and anything hands on.

Create own tables, write summaries and answer practice questions.

Go through a problem methodically, fill in sheets, do error analysis.

Concept maps, diagrams, flow charts. Make connections between texts, notes and tutorials.

ORIENTATION—JULY 2012—PG,IP,KL,JB,KC

2 Self-Study: How to do it successfully Motivating Yourself to Study

1. Find a conducive environment to study.

2. Break down the bigger tasks into smaller achievable bits.

3. Set realistic learning targets & goals 4. Have incentives – reward yourself upon completion of a task.

5. Be positive.

ORIENTATION—JULY 2012—PG,IP,KL,JB,KC

2 Self-Study: How to do it successfully Motivating Yourself to Study

6.

Study and learn actively.

7.

8.

Relax and exercise regularly.

Form a study group.

9. Negotiate for the support and understanding of your loved ones in your endeavour to pursue new knowledge and skills. You need their moral & physical support!

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3 Time Requirement and Management Time Required to Study a Typical 5 Credit Course Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Total Self-Study* (hrs) 32 32 32 32 32 160 Tutorial & TMA (hrs) Tutorial Tutorial, TMA1 2 2+10 Tutorial, TMA2 Tutorial, TMA3 Tutorial 2+10 2+10 2 40 Total 34 44 44 44 34 200

Time Allocated for Self-study * (including WawasanLearn & e-Library): 160/200  80% Tutorial : 10/200  5% TMA Preparation : 30/200  15%

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3 Time Requirement and Management How much time do you need this semester?

• For one 5-credit course, you will require to devote ± study 200 hours for self  200hr/19weeks = ± 10.5 hours per week • For 2 courses, ± 21 hours per week • For 3 courses, ± 31.5 hours per week  this works out to be ± 6.3 hours per day!!!

(or ± 4.5 /day including Saturday & Sunday)

Remember: You have a FULL-TIME job as well

ORIENTATION—JULY 2012—PG,IP,KL,JB,KC

3 Time Requirement and Management

How are you going to find the time?

ORIENTATION—JULY 2012—PG,IP,KL,JB,KC

3 Time Requirement and Management Juggling Various Responsibilities and Commitments Family Study Entertainment Work Social You will have to prioritize



Some of the ‘less important’ activities may have to be sacrificed

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3 Time Requirement and Management Time Management Tips

• Set Targets – Know what you want to achieve in a day, week or month – Scheduling – Make a schedule for your study, social activities, exercises, dates etc (birthdays, anniversaries!!) • Prioritise – Identify which tasks are most important and need to be done first and which ones can be done later

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3 Time Requirement and Management Time Management Tips

• Avoid Procrastination – Stick to your schedule, try not to postpone – Spend about 1-2 hours per day (5 days) per course for self study • Know when you are most effective – Use the times when you feel most energetic to do tasks that are more demanding, e.g. study the difficult components!

• Use spare minutes – Use your waiting time for making and reading short notes

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4 Tutors and Tutorial Support Tutors’ Role

• Conduct Tutorials (F2F) • ( Facilitator NOT Lecturer ) Conduct Telephone Tutoring • Moderate “WawasanLearn” • Marking and grading of assignments • Provide academic counseling

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4 Tutors and Tutorial Support Tutorial During Tutorials …

• Exchange ideas with tutors and fellow students • Clarify concepts/assignment questions … • In-depth discussions on issues and applications • Get feedback on previous assignments

Reminder:

• Facilitation & discussion, NOT lecture • Limited hours: Not all queries/doubts can be clarified  use WawasanLearn , e-Library & other learning support services

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5 Assessment and Examination Assessment Strategy Component Continuous Assessment Level 100 & Level 200 courses Level 300, Level 500, SST Project Courses & Masters Project Courses

50% 40%

Final Examination

50% 60%

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5 Assessment and Examination Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs)

• Assignments = Course work to demonstrate your understanding of the course content. Thus, it is your own work. • Types: essays, problem solving, case studies, projects or laboratory reports • Adhere strictly to deadline for submission  plan and manage your time 

seek prior approval for late submission to avoid mark deduction!!!

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5 Assessment and Examination Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) - Originality

Before you submit your assignment, you must use the web-based plagiarism detection service tool,

Turnitin

to check your written work.

Turnitin website: http://www.turnitin.com

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5 Assessment and Examination Preparing For Final Examination

Before exam:

• Study regularly throughout the semester • Stick to a revision time table • Apply proven review/revision techniques • Practice using specimen and past exam papers • Look after your health

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5 Assessment and Examination Preparing For Final Examination

• Practice jotting down answers and making essay plans.

• Practice writing against the allocated time using past year questions.

• Use good quality notes, refine them further into lists, mind maps, diagrams and transfer them onto revision cards.

• Create and plan a topic list and study schedule.

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THANK YOU!