Learning how to learn

Dr Riaz Qureshi

Distinguished Professor, FM, KSU&

Dr.Al-Joharah Al-Quaiz

Associate Professor Family Medicine, KSU

Acknowledgment: Prof. Eiad Al Faris

Objectives/Contents

• Introduction

• Definition

• Why do we learn?

• Principles of adult learning

• Learning styles

• Methods of learning

• Types of learning

• Acquiring competence

• Learning cycle

• Strategies for learning

• Developing a learning plan

• How to support your learning ?

• Summary of key points

Four things do not come back

The spoken word , The spent arrow, Time passed , The neglected opportunity

Omar Abu Al Halif 7th century

Learning

A relatively permanent process resulting from experience with some task and reflected in a change in performance under appropriate circumstances.

Learning in a Course

• Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior and in the context of a course is brought about by a planned learning experience

Why do we learn

• To pass exams.

• For professional competence.

• For career advancement.

• To develop skills.

• To adopt attitudes

Principles of Adult Learning• Participation is voluntary.• Clear goals & objectives.• Mutual respect between teacher and learner.• Collaboration in planning is an integral part.• Active involvement in learning.• Education must have relevance to real life.• Adults need to be reflective.• Adults need feedback.

Learning Styles

• Active or Passive.• Specific or General.• Prepared or Spontaneous.• Individual or group. *Active *Passive• Holistic or Sequential.• Structured or Random

Methods

• Lectures ,Seminars, Symposia, Conferences.

• Group work / PBL / Tutorial

• Individual learning.

* Books

*Journals

*Audiovisual material/internet

• Individual tutorials (one- to-one teaching)

Types of learning

• Learning by doing

• Learning by observation

• Learning by experimentation

• Learning by reflection (in action & on action )

Learning cycle

UnconsciousCompetence change

Unconscious Incompetence

Awareness

ConsciousIncompetence

Learning

ConsciousCompetence

Mastery

Acquiring Competence

1. Unconsciously incompetence.

2. Consciously incompetent.

3. Consciously competent.

4. Unconsciously competent.

Learning from Experience

Having an Experience

Reviewing experience

Concluding fromexperience

Planning nextsteps

What do we remember?

• 20 % of what we read

• 30 % of what we hear

• 40 % of what we see

• 50 % of what we say

• 60 % of what we do

• 90 % of what we read, hear, see, say & do

Strategy for learning

1. A systematic approach.

2. A speculative approach.

3. An opportunistic approach.

A systematic approach1. Identify your learning needs.

1. Select one or more learning situations.

2. Select the style best suited for each learning situation.

3. Experience the learning situation .

Systematic approach (contd)

5. Reflect on your experience.

6. Consider if the experience could be useful or relevant for you.

7. Apply what you have learnt.

8. Ask yourself was my learning effective?

How to learn actively & deeply?

• Do not just read & close the book

• Try to do different things with what you have read immediately:

- Draw flow charts

- Draw diagrams using colors

- Write a summary

- Answer questions & past papers

(Interact with what you have learnt)

To improve learning

• Read before a lecture the relevant topic

• Read for understanding and note questions to clarify things further/ ask the lecturer

• Read after the lecture

• Use other methods e.g. video , virtual hospital, internet

Assessment

• Aid for the learner.

• Aid for the teacher.

• Aid for the sponsor.

• Requirement for comparisons.

How to develop a learning planStep 1 : Diagnose your learning needs.

Step 2 : Specify your learning needs objectives.

Step 3 : Specify learning resources and strategies.

Step 4 : Specify evidence of accomplishment.

Step 5 : Evaluation of your learning

Supporting your learning

1. Reflecting on your experience .

2. Using people to help your learning.

3. Using a mentor.

4. Using yourself as a learning resource.

5. Using clinical audit or review.

6. Undertaking a project or in depth study of a topic.

Summary of key points

• Different people learn in different ways.

• Different strategies for learning apply in different situations.

• You can learn from almost any situation not just planned learning activities.

• Try out a variety of approaches, learning situation , and styles of learning.

Summary of Key Points (Contd)

• Planning in advance of a learning situation increases its value.

• Reflection during and after a learning situation.

• Relate new ideas to your experience

• Think about what you learn and how you learn.

Thank you

Have a Nice Day