Private: Learning Essentials – Learning to Learn

Lesson 1 – How to improve your reading skills
12 Topics
Introduction and overview
What is “reading”?
Types of reading – part 1
Types of reading – part 2
Speed reading – part 1
Speed reading – part 2
Managing your environment
SQ3R
Reading electronic materials
Summary
End of lesson activities
End of lesson assessment
Lesson 2 – How to Improve your Memory and Mental Agility
11 Topics | 1 Quiz
Introduction and overview
The Relevance of Memory to Learning and Work
Memory in a Nutshell
Knowing Your Mind
“The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”
Recitation
Mind maps and Mnemonics
Practical Tips for Improvement
Forgetting
Summary
End of lesson activities
End of lesson assessment
Lesson 3 – How to improve your study skills
12 Topics
Introduction and overview
Preparation
Learning styles
Principles of planning for study
A study plan
A model for study
Resources and information sources
Concentrating on your study
Motivation
Summary
End of lesson activities
End of lesson assessment
Lesson 4 – How to Improve Your Time Management for Learning Skills
12 Topics
Introduction and overview
Learner Competencies
Planning Part 1 – Principles
Planning Part 2 – Scheduling
Goal setting for learning
Action Planning and To Do Lists
Prioritisation
Obstacles to achievement
PDPs and CPD
Summary
End of lesson activities
End of lesson assessment
Lesson 5 – How to Improve Your Exam Skills
12 Topics
Introduction and Overview
Knowing About The Exam
Exam Preparation – The Practicalities
Revision – A Timetable
Revision Techniques
Exam Papers
Before The Exam Dealing With Nerves
Problems With Exams and Some Solutions
Maximising Exam Performance
Summary
End of Lesson Activities
End of Lesson Assessment
Previous Topic
Next Topic

“The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”

The seven habits
Dr Stephen Covey is a management ideologist whose book identifies aspirational standards based on integrity and humanity. His studies revolve around the common qualities and characteristics of people who are successful. The 7 habits are:

  • Be proactive
  • Begin with the end in mind
  • Put first things first
  • Think win-win
  • Seek first to understand and then to be understood
  • Synergise
  • Sharpen the saw

Memory skills and mental agility habits
The two habits that are of most relevance and interest when discussing memory skills and mental agility are:

  • Begin with the end in mind – this habit is concerned with leading yourself towards your aims. By developing the habit of concentrating on relevant activities you will build a platform to avoid distractions and become more productive and successful
  • Put first things first – this habit comprises personal management, organising and implementing activities in line with the aims established above

Can you relate these ideas to your own professional or personal environment?

How can you use them constructively to improve your memory and mental agility?

The aim of this topic is to show you the close relationship between mental agility and effectiveness, at least in the terms that Stephen Covey uses. The suggestion is that there are a number of characteristics that make a person highly effective and that mental agility is an absolute. This is just one theory amongst many, but it has gained significant approval and accolade.