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GCSE Study Skills Course at Al-Khoe School, London |
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GCSE Study Skills Course at Al-Khoe School, London
The Education Committee of the Council of European Jamaats was approached, for the second consecutive year by the Az-Zahra and as-Sadiq Schools of the Al-Hoe Foundation in London, UK, to conduct a mini session of the CoEJ's Study Skills course. The course was to be aimed to Year 10 and Year 11 students, who are preparing for their national GCSE examinations.
Upon receiving the request, the Education Committee of the CoEJ unreservedly agreed to a repeat arrangement of last year. Dr Mahmood Datoo was sent to conduct the course.
This year, the school had asked for three specific topics to be covered. The sessions were run twice in the day. Once for the Az-Zahra girl students, and once for the As-Sadiq boys students. In each group, there were about twenty five participants.
The topics covered were Time Management, Revision techniques and Making Notes. The course was conducted by interactive and question-answer sessions between the presenter and the students.
The Time Management module involved the participants in making their own yearly and weekly timetable, thereby identifying any "free" time during a typical term-time week. The correlation of the yearly to the weekly timetable was highlighted with examples. The adoption and modification of the weekly timetable was explained and the importance of adhering to a realistic weekly timetable was discussed and emphasised.
The Revision Strategy module looked into the importance of regular revision of notes, with a view to retain and recall the material studied. The importance of using the notes, and how to modify the first draft of notes, was gone into in some detail. The danger of procrastination during a revision session was highlighted by citing many daily examples encountered by the students. A regime of effective study and break sessions was detailed.
The Making Notes session identified the basic note taking types, highlighting the good and bad practices. To reinforce the ideas, participants then had to make notes from a given text using these two methods - linear notes and pattern notes.
Feedback: The students had to fill out a brief questionnaire after the session to allow the CoEJ and the Az-Zahra and Ass-Sadiq schools to gauge the usefulness of such a course. The following are samples of the students' unedited comments:
Personal Usefulness:
"Not bad."
"Beneficial, I really needed this help."
"Not useful for me as it was not practical."
"Gave me a different attitude."
"It was good - we missed three classes!"
"I did not find it useful. It kind of repeated what I already knew."
Notes:
"OK"
"Worth it (generally)."
"Well presented."
"They should be a bit more detailed."
"The notes are helpful but quite time consuming."
"Good notes, but should have had more."
Course Duration:
"Not long enough."
"Too short."
"It was too long."
"Fine."
What changes would you like to see for the next course?:
"More time, amore breaks between topics."
"Make it more interesting and no so long winded."
"Sorry, I won't be here."
"Should be a whole day."
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