Assisting students with their study skills
It’s important to find time in class to assist students with their study skills. You can allow time in class to work on assignments and be directly available to provide feedback and ask questions. Providing explanations to students about the importance of what they’re learning is important to them and their lives. When learning is relevant and connected to students lives it is meaningful, emotionally engaging, and embedded in long term memory.
The ability to engender motivation in students is one of the most important skills in effective teaching. If students are excited by both the course content and by the process of learning, then instructional work will be a gratifying experience. All instructors should carefully consider ways to encourage students to take an active role in their own educational development.
In addition, you can tell students how to best prepare for class activities. You can break down class assignments into parts and provide feedback to students as they complete each section. Develop learning strategies such as concept mapping exercises that help students build new knowledge upon prior knowledge and experiences. It’s also helpful to prioritize knowledge that is most relevant for your course to assist students with planning for their reading. As you prioritize knowledge, also provide an organizer for that knowledge so that students will know how concepts relate to one another.
Help learners to become self-directed. When learners have the skills to direct their own learning they set their own goals, select learning strategies that work for them, assess their own progress, and manage their time. You can assist learners by explaining these processes to your students, asking questions to guide their planning, observing their learning. You can provide and feedback about other processes they could be using if difficulties arise. Asking students to reflect about their learning throughout the course is helpful.
Significant campus resources to help students with their learning can be found in Appendix 1, “Student Success Equals Faculty Success,” covers tips in a variety of areas for faculty to use to help students become more motivated.