Learning how to learn

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	Time: 6 hours Level: Introductory

	Introduction Introduction Resource Learning how to learn is a process in which we all engage throughout our lives, although often we do not realise that we are, in fact, learning how to learn. Most of the time we concentrate on what we...

	Getting started Examples Resource Each activity is followed by a discussion and examples of the responses of two students. Both students are studying Open University courses that will eventually count towards a degree. Thesse are nine... What do we mean by learning how to learn? Resource This activity will help you to explore what we mean by learning how to learn.

	Thinking about your learning Introduction Resource In encouraging you to think explicitly about how you learn, as well as about what you learn, we are drawing on research about learning which has shown that this approach can actually improve your performance.... Your motivation Resource Why did you decide to become a student and what do you hope to gain from your studies? Your learning history Resource You do not need to explore this in detail - just pause for a moment and think about: Organising your study - keeping a learning diary Resource If you have found this approach to learning interests you, you might like to take the analysis a stage further. To do Activity 4, you need to be studying a course so that you are engaged in learning on...

	Learning through assessment Introduction to applying your learning Resource In this part of the unit we invite you to apply some of the ideas we have introduced in a more structured way. One of the easiest ways to really understand learning how to learn as a process, rather than... A summary of the phases and activities of learning how to learn Resource We can represent the process of learning how to learn in a diagram with four phases (Figure 1).

	The preparation phase Preparing Resource In the preparation phase you should pause before starting a new section of work and think about it as a whole. What needs to be covered? What are the various components of this block of work? What are... Analysing the task Resource This involves you in analysing both the learning task, (e.g. working through the text, other readings, calculations, experiments) as well as the assessed task (e.g. the assignment). It is important to... Making a plan Resource How you respond to this suggestion will depend on what sort of person you are. Many of us are great planners with timetables and lists for every part of our lives; others just get on with the priorities...

	The exploration phase Exploring Resource This is the phase when you will be studying your course material, using and developing your learning skills. The two activities of this phase are: Studying the materials Resource This is the period when you will be working on your course materials in preparation for the assignment. This may include working through written or electronic texts, any other associated reading or media... Monitoring your progress Resource Of all the components in the learning how to learn process, this is probably the most difficult. As you study, you need to make a conscious effort to monitor your progress while working on the course,...

	The implementation phase Implementing Resource This is the phase when you complete your assignment. In some courses and for some assignments, the exploring and implementing phases may merge or overlap; in other courses, considerable exploration is... Monitoring your performance Resource As you move into actually doing the assignment, the emphasis on consciously trying to monitor how you are performing continues to be important. This involves checking your work while you are working on... Making a self-assessment Resource The ability to self-assess your work is a critical skill for you to develop if you want to improve your performance. If you can assess your own work accurately and identify the gap between what is required...

	The reviewing phase Reviewing Resource This phase takes place after a period of study and an assignment have been completed. It is when you focus on reviewing your performance on your assignment as well as the whole cycle of study you have... Learning from feedback Resource This is actually quite a difficult thing for any student to do. It is most effective when your assignment is returned, but by then you may have moved on to the next part of the course. Even so, you do... Review the whole process Resource Before you file away your assignment and return to your current study, spend a little time reviewing the whole process of preparing, exploring, implementing and reviewing your assignment. Review what you...

	Learning from revision and examinations Introduction Resource Once you have got a general understanding of the process of learning how to learn, and have tried applying it to an assignment, you may be able to see how the same approach can be applied to revision,... Preparing Resource Both activities in this phase - analysing the task and making a plan - are critically important when it comes to preparing for an exam. Start by gathering together everything you have been sent that relates... Exploring Resource Although this sounds as though it may not seem very appropriate in the context of revision and exams, it is critically important that you re-explore the course as you do your revision or prepare your end-of-course... Implementing Resource As with assignments, this is the phase when you actually do the task - sit the exam or produce the final version of your end-of-course assessment. This is where monitoring your performance is really important.... Reviewing Resource Undoubtedly this is the most difficult phase to apply to revision and an exam or to the preparation and production of an end-of-course assessment. Most of us heave a huge sigh of relief when it is all...

	Learning how to become a reflective learner Reflection and the four main phases of learning how to learn Resource If your course encourages this approach to learning, or if you have read other material on learning how to learn, you may have come across the term 'reflection'. Maybe you have been encouraged to reflect... What is reflection? Resource Is reflection different to just thinking about your study? And how do we do it? Can someone teach you how to reflect or is it a matter of practice? Can everyone be reflective or are some students - and...

	Further reading and sources of help Further reading Resource OU books Other sources of help Resource Websites

	References and Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Resource