A Brief Sketch of Study
Skills in the Classroom
By Jess Doan, Crystal Frank, and Adam Siciliano
G562 Summer II
What does ‘study skills’ mean?
 Definition: Study – to acquire knowledge or
understanding of a subject; Skills – an art, trade,
or technique
 Study skills – techniques used to acquire
knowledge or understanding of a subject
 Study skills topic includes: test taking skills, notetaking skills, reading comprehension techniques,
time management skills, critical thinking skills
Academic Research – Study Skills
 Early 1900s researchers thought study skills should
be taught as early as possible
 Early main focus was on reading techniques
 1950s – 1960s not a lot of research on study skills
or their importance
 Todays study skills must include techniques for
different types of media, technology, and
informational text
Academic Research
 Major problem for students – Poor time
management
 Students can have higher academic achievement if
they can manage their time and know how to use
different study techniques
 To be effective students must learn different study
techniques AND practice using them (apply them)
 Change student’s attitudes toward study skills and
techniques to create real change in study behavior
Do’s and Don’ts
 Note taking
 Reading Textbooks
 Taking tests
 Additional resources
Taking Notes
 Front of class – less distractions
 Organization
 Paraphrase – not enough time for everything!
 Write clearly
Reading Textbooks
 Intro, headings, subheadings
 Read any summarizing paragraphs
 Read captions to charts/graphs
 Use dictionary for unfamiliar terms
 Try to explain material out loud
 Periodically stop reading and try to remember what you
have just read.
 What are the main ideas?
Test
 Format/Material
 No distractions when studying! (i.e. music, television)
 Be alert – avoid being hungry or sleepy
 Proactive – don’t wait until night before
 Repitition
 Ask for help if unsure of material
Test (cont)
 Group studying: 3-5 people
 Practice on one another
 Discuss the “why” questions
Taking the Test
 Read the instructions carefully
 Answer easiest – hardest. Pace yourself.
 If you are stuck, come back to it.
 MC – eliminate the ones you know
 PROOFREAD!!
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Study Skills Interventions
 Assessment activities
 Interventions
 Additional resources
Activities: Assessments
 What’s your learning style?
 Tactile
 Auditory
 Visual
 Combination
 Which study habits can you improve?
 Worksheet that you can download, print, and give to students
What’s your learning style?
What’s your learning style?
What’s your learning style?
Which Study Habits
Can You Improve?
Which Study Habits
Can You Improve?
Which Study Habits
Can You Improve?
Intervention:
S.O.A.R Study Skills
S.O.A.R Study Skills
 Cost:
 Study Skills Workbook: $19.99 (for 4-20 books)
 Multi-Media Teacher’s Guide: $499
 Some additional recommended items:
 Planner, Binder, Folders, Paper, File Storage Box
 Several other resources are available for purchase to tailor
your school’s plan to fit student’s needs.
 Some free resources for students, educators and parents
can be requested online
S.O.A.R Study Skills
 Time Requirements:
 20 lessons, 10-20 minutes each
 Minimal Prep time (with Multi-Media Guide)
 Evidence of effectiveness:
 “Teacher’s declare SOAR 98.9% effective in improving
student performance”-SOAR Website
 Several Case Studies of successful implementation of
program found on website
 Several Awards given to SOAR
S.O.A.R Study Skills
 “An Investigation of the SOAR Study Method” Jairam &
Kiewra, Journal of Advanced Academics
 Researchers found that SOAR studiers outperformed the
control group by 41% on the relationship (open-ended)
test, and by 4% on the fact (matrix cell) test.
Reference: Jairam, D., & Kiewra, K. A. (2009). An Investigation of the SOAR Study Method. Journal Of
Advanced
Academics, 20(4), 602-629.
Other helpful (& free!) resources
 Test Taking Tips: www.testtakingtips.com
 Tips on test taking, note taking, study skills, reducing test
anxiety and tips for parents
 How to Study: www.how-to-study.com
 Information on studying, note taking, tests, remembering,
organization, etc
Student Activity
 Study Skills BINGO!
 Each student receives a
bingo card with a blank grid
(25 boxes: 5 down 5 across
and the middle box is ‘Free
Space’)
 Under grid are the answers
(words and phrase) that
students put where every
they want on the BINGO card
 Caller picks and reads a
question at random and the
students find the answer on
their BINGO card
Follow Up Survey
 Please go to the following link to complete a short
survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CDVXWCH
References
 Fazal, S., Hussain, Majoka, M. I., Massod, S. (2012). The
Role of Study Skills in Academic Achievement of
Students: A Closer Focus on Gender. Pakistan Journal of
Psychological Research, 27(1), 37-51.
 Downey, R. G., Robyak, J. E. (1978). Effectiveness of a
Study Course for Students of Different Academic
Achievement Personality Types. Journal of Counseling
Psychology, 25(6), 544-550.
 Jansen, E. P. W. A., Suhre, J. M. (2010). The Effect of
Secondary School on First Year University Achievement.
Educational Studies, 36(5), 569-580.
 Richardson, J. S. (2010). A Histroy of Study Skills: Not
Hot, But Not Forgotten. Reading Improvement. URRL:
readperiodicals.com