“What are the effective study skills that provide a sole foundation of a sound education”

Study skills looks at a wider range of abilities rather than just ‘academic’ skills to help achieve a sound education, as explained by Stella Cottrell (2013, p36). Cottrell begins by explaining that the study frame work known as ‘APT-S’ which are broken down into four categories of skills; Self, Academic, People and Tasks. In this essay I will look at each framework individually and what they mean before concluding how they assist in building the foundation of successful education.

Self- management skills relates to the individual and their environment at a more complex level as these can change during the course of an education. Some of self-management skills includes independence, skills management, learning, strategies, time, improving performance and metacognitive skills, as noted by Stella Cottrell (2013, p 38). Independence involves being well informed and skills management is using current strengths whilst improving weaker skills. Learning skills looks at personalizing current skills whilst enhancing strengths. Strategies skills looks are various ways such as creative, reflective, effective and motivating, whilst metacognitive skills focuses on meaningful reflection on how to think, learn and self manage.

Academic skills include basic research skills, understanding academic conventions, thinking skills and written communication skills (Cottrell 2013, p 39). Basic research looks at finding information through different methods such as reading, note making, data and organizational skills. Understanding academic conventions looks at academic disciplines, foundation concepts, and higher educations’ community where others on a similar course or study can help with support and guidance. Cottrell also explains the value of thinking skills for decision making when selecting the relevant material for academic work, memory skills for recalling information correctly and critical thinking for evaluating resources and theories. Creative problem- solving and synthesis includes the use of diverse knowledge and skills, combined or used separately, it helps students to explore new and motivating ways for problem solving. Understanding is also a key in building a strong academic skill, as it means students can work confidently and at ease with more difficult or challenging problems in their study. Another area Cottrell explores for academic skills are written and other communication skills. It looks at different ways of communication skills are used, for example the structure and clarity helps to organize a students work so both themselves and readers can find the reasoning. Precision is also needed in written and other communications as correct words, data and relevant information makes a piece of academic clear and to the point. Cottrell also explains that knowing the appropriate style and audience awareness of communication, for example written communications such as essays or dissertations, spoken such as presentations and electronic.

People management is very helpful when creating a strong education foundation as it encourages students to work in social environment. This can be beneficial as being active or taking part lets student to share feedback, ideas, offer support for both academic and personal performance growth, (Cottrell 2013, p 40). Other forms of people management skills Cottrell discusses are making presentations and contribution both electronically via social medias or online, and face-to-face.

Task management skills is the final study skills to be discussed as it uses all the above to complete study tasks such as exams, assignments, reports, presentation and other study tasks (Cottrell 2013, p 40). Along with successfully completing study task, meeting certain requirements such as marking criteria, deadlines and word counts are also important to follow. In certain study that may use equipment, i.e. sciences, following guidelines and procedures are needed for safety, performance and developing further practical or technical skills that provide a student with a stronger report, assignment or study task.

Conclusion

‘Skill- to be able to perform a learned activity well and at will’ (Cottrell 2013,p 36). This quote by author Cottrell explains that a skill can be learned and developed by someone at his or her will. ‘Study skills’ are not just academic skills, as described above by Cottrell ‘APT-S’ frameworks. The four categories are effective as it helps student to take charge to understand understanding their academic skills and requirements, personal strengths and areas for improvement so they can continue to complete more difficult task in the future. The framework also helps students with active problem solving, both as individual and group work, whilst working with different methods such as social networking, presentations or in some cases sharing ideas or motivating each other in reports and case studies. All these study skills used together or at different levels, works effectively to build a strong foundation for a solid education.

Reference

Stella Cottrell (2013) Palgrave Study Skills The Study Skills Handbook (Forth Edition). England. London.