Learning to Learn
Learning to Learn is a recently introduced course offered by Hull collegiate School to pupils in Years 7 and 8. The primary aim of Learning to Learn is to allow pupils to understand the different ways in which they, as a individual, take in and retain information, thus facilitating their learning across all subjects. The course is split into six discrete sections lasting one term, with each section designed to encourage pupils to think about different aspects of their learning:
Year 7:
Michaelmas term: How do I learn?
Pupils are introduced to the idea of different learning styles and discover which styles suit them. They then identify aids to their learning provided by their environment and the school, such as the use of planners, setting goals and mentoring, and creating a suitable learning environment at home.
Lent term: The 5Rs of a successful learner.
Pupils spend one lesson looking in detail at the 5Rs of learning. These are ideas that have been recognised as important attributes in a successful learner. The 5Rs are: responsibility, resilience, reflection, resourcefulness, and reasoning. The 5Rs are revisited throughout the course, and pupils are evaluated on their strengths in each area in the end of year report.
Trinity Term: Improving my learning.
This term focuses primarily on exam and revision techniques in the run up to the first set of internal exams that the pupils sit in the school. Following this pupils revisit the idea of resilience and look at how they can improve on negative impulses in their learning.
Year 8:
Michaelmas Term: Working in a Team
Pupils look at the advantage of working in a team, and the requirements of a successful team. They then classify the different roles played within a team and identify the role to which they are most suited. After this the pupils are spilt into teams based on their roles and set a series of mental and physical challenges to complete.
Lent Term: Learning in the 21st Century
This term focuses on the technology available in today’s society that can facilitate and/or hinder learning. Pupils look at how the media and internet can be used to persuade or manipulate points of view, as well as providing both useful and sometimes misleading information. Pupils use these ideas to create their own stories, adverts and evaluations of information.
Trinity Term: Where are we now?
Pupils reflect on their learning over the duration of the course and identify how they can use the techniques learnt to improve their learning in future years. They also look at methods to improve their independence in learning. Whilst Learning to Learn is a stand-alone programme, the ideas covered in the course relate to all subjects covered at KS3 and beyond.
By undertaking Learning to Learn pupils become better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead with regard to revision, exams and independent learning for their GCSEs. The course is designed to stimulate pupils to think about their learning across the entire curriculum through a fun and interactive approach.
