OUMH1103

Learning Skills for Open & Distance Learners (ODL)

Objectives:
3 blended learning methods at OUM 10 strategies for managing stress Set a goal based 9 characteristics of effective goal Apply 7 motivational strategies for successful learning Practice 3 aspects of time management 8 causes of poor concentration and strategies to improve concentration Identify personal learning styles

Open and Distance Learning?

Open Learning
Syllabus Assessment Qualification Where When How

Distance Learning
Learning act and teacher act are separated (used to be simultaneous) Independent Disciplined Lonely (no encouragement from each other: blog, bulletin, chat, email) Resourceful - ICT important

Skills Required
Managing your Learning Reading for Information

OUM Online Learning Environment

Note making & Note Taking Skills Presenting Information Coping with Assessments

Infromation Gathering Process Information Retrieval Information Evaluation

Microsoft Office

How to manage your study?

OUM- Blened Approach: Self managed Face to Face Online Learning
Stress management Time management Successful Learning Strategies

Setting Effective Goals Know your Learning Styles

Self-Managed Learning
Study according to your own time Reading modules Reading other reading materials (printed and digital) Audio video tapes CD-ROMs

Online Learning
Virtual classroom Asynchronous discussion forums email, forum Synchronous discussions chat Elelctrnic materials myLMS

Independent Learners
How to be independent learners?
Planning and Managing Smart Management

Motivated

Developing Learning Strategies

Why Stress ?

Studies Family Social Work Financial Etc.

Adult Learners

STRESS
Stress is a feeling that's created when we react to particular events. The events that provoke stress are called stressors, eg. danger, crossing a busy road, driving, taking examination, giving a speech to a group of people

Internal /External Stressors

External Stressors Eg. pain or hot or cold temperatures poor working conditions
Internal stressors worry about a harmful event that may or may not occur.

Good Stress
Good stress --- good eg. exam, low marks for assignment motivation to study Stress helps people attain difficult goals and perform their best. Some degree of stress enhances performance.

Bad Stress
When stress lead to negative effects, eg. it could be a 40 minute highway drive when theres heavy transport trucks on the road and you hate it. A medical bill which you have to pay

Possible Signs of Stress

Anger Loss of efficiency in studies Uneasiness at being alone Withdrawal from friends Lack of joy and enthusiasm Full of negative thoughts Difficulty in concentrating Intolerence of people Moodiness Sleeping problems

Strategies for managing Stress

Self-management organise time to study and other work Control your environment Give yourself Positive Feedback be positive Reward Yourself Exercise your body Relax Rest Be aware of yourself- headache, lack of concentration Balanced diet Learn to enjoy yourself

Activity 1

Test your knowledge on STRESS

Coping with study problems

Know your resources-library, online, You do not have to cope alone friends, student counsellor, lecturers Set realistic goals Study groups, discussions:-face-to-face, virtual Learn to accept failure

1. Set specific academic and personal goals.

Five Steps to Successful Time Management

2. Create a term calendar, recording major events.

3. Create a weekly schedule of your classes, assignments, etc.

4. Decide on specific times to work on each course. 5. Make a to-do list for each day the night before or during breakfast.

Setting Goals
What is a goal? Difference between a goal and a dream? What is your academic goal now?

Long / Short term Goals

Short-term goals are ones that you will achieve in the near future (e.g., in a day, within a week, or possibly within a few months). Long-term goals are ones that you will achieve over a longer period of time (e.g., one semester, one year, five years, or twenty years).

Characteristics of effective goals:

SpecificWrite down

SMART

Measurable
to measure the progress & have sense of achievement

Attainable Relevant

Time-bounded deadlines

Activity - Goal
Activity 1.1 (pg. 13)

Activity - Goal
Activity 1.2 (pg. 14)

Characteristics of Effective Goals

Self chosen Relevant Challenging Attainable Specific Measurable Time-bounded Positive Written

Motivational strategies for successful learning

Set realistic and challenging goals Break down bigger task at hand Maintain positive attitude Aim for higher peaks Use active learning strategies Learn from mistakes Monitor your learning

Activity : Motivational Stretagies

Activity 1.3 (pg. 16)

Activity:
List down 10 ways how you waste your time everyday.

Activity:
Refer to the previous list. Cancel any activity which you think you can leave out totally.
How many activities do you have now? How can you reduce them?

Time Management
The way you regulate or schedule or control your time Successful time management means allowing enough time to complete your work while still finding time to complete other responsibilities

Advantages of good time management:

Plan ahead Evaluate your progress Spend more productive time Take control of your own activity Prioritise your activities Avoid time conflict, eg. getting 2 assignments at the same time

How can your plan your time?

Analyse your time Set your priorities Plan your schedule

Time Management
Semester schedule Monthly schedule Weekly schedule Daily schedule

List down all assignments, exams, tests, social activities, family activities, etc. Prioritise

Plan
Stick to plan

Concentration Strategies for Better Learning

Concentration is important to sustain your learning

Causes of Poor Concentration

Environmental distractions Noise Physical distractions- hunger, sick Boredom, dislike, disinterest Anxiety about studies Intimidating (frightening) study tasks break into smaller tasks Daydreaming Personal worries

Strategies to improve concentration

Conducive study area Study at the same time/ place Find conducive time to study Identify causes of poor concentration

Activity
Discuss with your friend sitting next to you how you normally study.

Learning Styles
different people learn in different ways it is good to know what your own preferred learning style is

Activity: Find out your learning style

Appendix 1.1 (pg.26)

Learning styles
Active and reflective learners Sensing and Intuitive Learners Visual and Verbal Learners Sequential and global learners

Active and Reflective Learners

Think about it quietly

Doing something active discuss, explain it

Sensing and Intuitive Learners

Like learning facts and solving problems

Discoveries

Visual and Verbal Learners

Remember by seeing -pictures

Prefer verbal and written explanations

Sequential and global learners

Understand one step after another

Learn in big jumps

Tutorial 1