Teacher Louise Barden, who has worked in state and independent
schools since 1994, first spotted the problem when she was tutoring a
19 year-old who had failed his first year at university. She discovered
he knew a lot about his subject, but couldn't convey his knowledge
through his essays and was losing vital marks in exams as a result.
Further research revealed this to be a very common problem
with many students performing far below their capabilities.
"I was shocked to see just how many young people were going
through school, and even university, without knowing the basic skills
they needed to get good marks in their exams," said Mrs Barden.
"We all learn in different ways" she explained.
"Many
young people were making things very difficult for themselves by not
realising they needed to match the way they learn with the way their
own brain deals with information - and it didn't stop there. They were
then going on to make things even harder by not knowing the simple
rules and techniques needed to write good, high point-scoring essays,"
she added.
"My new course really gets to the heart of this and I've
been
delighted |
|
at how successful my students have been in their course work
and exams this year," she
said. "Once students have identified their individual
learning
style, their approach to studying is transformed and they learn how to
succeed."
Mrs Barden, who taught at Ampthill's Alameda Middle School
and
Bedford's Dame Alice Harpur School, did further research and studied
educational neuro-linguistic programming before developing her new
course which has received excellent feedback from students since its
introduction in 2000. Over 96% rated the course as very good
or
extremely good.
The course is primarily aimed at 14-18 year olds, but
students
as young as 11 as well as university students and professionals who
have returned to study to further their career have also benefited.
During Mrs Barden's Study Skills for Success course students
learn exam and revision techniques, effective note-taking, how to write
high scoring essays, speed reading, time management and how to improve
memory and concentration.
Each course lasts for six weeks, for one and a half hours
per week and includes the Study Skills Handbook containing the full
course notes. |
