Study Skills Synopsis by Carlos Pérez

In her article titled, Doing Away with ‘Study Skills’, Ursula Wingate (2006) affirms study skills cannot be separated from subject content and the process of learning. In other words, study skills need to be developed through subject teaching. The author illustrated the need for student support beyond providing guidelines on time management, writing essays, and note-taking. Furthermore, Wingate found that “effective learning takes place when learners experience a problem and take action, reflect on the action, form concepts on the basis of their reflection, and apply these concepts in new situations” (p. 458). Teachers should be concerned with student learning, that is, helping students develop the skills of learning, and ultimately learn how to learn. In addition, the complexity of skills call for integrating subject content with subject knowledge, plus study skills. The ultimate goal of study skills is to prepare students to carry out academic tasks, especially academic writing, in order to be successful in college and in their career. Although this article was intended for students in the United Kingdom, the subject matter is applicable to all students, including our SAC/SCE student population. The author suggests institutionalizing study skills by encouraging instructors to “develop their students’ leaning within their regular teaching” (p. 467). Wingate concludes the article by reminding us that there are no quick fixes, instead to focus resources on initiatives that emphasize educational development, which in turn may effectively enhance student learning and student success.

Reference:

File Attachment: Doing away with ’study skills’.pdf (89 KB)