From the Leader of Learning and Curriculum

From the Leader of Learning and Curriculum

During O-Week workshops, students engaged with Elevate Education in a study skills workshop. With the return to school, and after lessons this week, it is vital that students establish a homework and study routine for after school.

Has your daughter created a study timetable and placed it on the fridge?

Reflection Questions that Might Start a Conversation at Home:

How much learning should students be doing each night?

The general guidelines are that Junior students should be doing around one hour of self-learning most nights,

Senior students between two to three hours most nights. They need to be accountable for 18 hours in Year 11 and 20 hours in Year 12.

But what if my daughter says she has no homework?

In primary school, students are used to just doing the work their teacher specifically tells them to do. Many students do not realise that things should be different in secondary school; there are two types of learning students should be doing:

  • The first is compulsory work such as homework, assignments and preparing for tests. 
  • The second type of work is independent learning work. 

If students have no homework that night, they are expected to undertake independent learning in secondary school. This could be reviewing what they have learnt that week, making a mind map, reading ahead, researching an area of interest, making study notes or reviewing complex concepts.

Can you listen to music while studying?

The general rule is that if students are undertaking learning that is not difficult, it is OK to listen to music. It makes them feel relaxed and makes them feel like the time is going quicker. However, if they are doing work that requires intense concentration or memorisation, it is best to switch the music off (or else have slower music with no vocals such as classical musical). Otherwise, it will take them much longer to absorb and learn the information.

Is it OK for my daughter to do work with devices or in front of the TV?

Unless students are doing something mindless like sticking things on a poster or colouring in, it is best not to do work in front of any devices such as phones or TV. Instead, students should do their home learning in an environment that is as distraction-free as possible. It works well if students do their learning in distinct blocks of time and remove all distractions during those blocks. Some students find they have the self-discipline to manage technological distractions; others need a helping hand – such as their phone in a different room for the half-hour period where they are focusing on schoolwork.

How do I stop my daughter from getting distracted when working on the computer?

Have a discussion with students about doing schoolwork in focused blocks of time so that they can really enjoy their time away from the books (or computer). If students find it challenging to be disciplined, they can also look at self-blocking software such as Self Control (MAC). If students are still struggling, parental management programs such as Family Zone allow families to block particular sites at particular times.

Parents and students can learn more about studying efficiently and effectively by working through the ELES Study Skills Site units. You can find the site via:

COMPASS Portal (Open in Browser) > Star Icon > ELES Handbook

 

Mr Justin Hodges, Leader of Learning and Curriculum

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #6 & #8