After helping students identify the existing study methods and learning about the Bloom & Eggleston-based A+ Learning study skills in the intensive one-day course, this professional empowerment programme will follow-up and sustain students' high order learning for developing the right habits and attitude in consistently using A+ Learning for achieving optimal learning success in school. The aim is to improve students' learning effectiveness and results in school (DSE or IB), and to develop independent learning capacity and readiness for university studies.
This empowerment programme will take the form of regular 3-hour analytic and evaluating face-to-face interactions on a biweekly basis (once every two weeks), at mutually convenient dates and times to both the students and the tutor. The series will begin with analytic discussions helping students first develop a better understanding of what type of learner they are (e.g. L1-efficient or L4-efficient; text-oriented or visual-oriented), checkgin the alignment of their existing learning strategies with this personal orientation, and then helping them re-orientate their strategies accordingly for optimizing their study outcomes. The is is done with full recognition of the specific nature of their schools' learning emphasis (didactic or heuristic; teacher-directed or pupil-directed). Second, attention will be given to identifying any blocks to the students' learning, and then systematically applying relevant strategies to resolve these through the consultant's professional experience and judgment.
Apart from these cognitive considerations, the analyses will also cover examining the affective domain as well, including attitude, motivation and attention span, particularly the effects of these onlearning and study success.
Following addressing any fundamental misalighnment in study strategies and removing blocks, the following sessions will help students develop proficiency and mastery of the different levels of thinking for a strong foundation for effective high-order study. This will begin with teaching and practicing the use of concept mapping for sharpening Lvel 2 (Comprehension) study in the students' subject studies, to ensure development of a good habit of always applying Level 3 (Application) in the study of each topic, ensuring social relevance of the key learning of all subjects for developing good application of what's learnt and to enhance any study motivation.
The following sessions will systmatically teach specific skills in the proficient and effective use of Levels 4, 5 and 6 in the students' everyday subject studies. The importance of developing and using "Frameworks" for systematic, organized and efficient analysis will be highlighted, and examples will be drawn from the current topics which students are learning in the different subjects to help them create and use personal frameworks for good Level 4 thinking (Analysis). Students will also be systematically guided to synthesize and create new insights from their studies, to go beyond the learning taught by teachers in school through increasing proficient use of Level 5 thinking (Synthesis). Finally, the sessions will take students through Level 6 thinking (Evaluation) in all subjects, to develop effective use of Level 6 thinking in all topics. Level 6 thinking is the most critical skill emphasized by IB in all subjects, and is the skill required for achieving 7 in all assessments.
After helping students to develop proficiency in studying at high levels, emphasis will then be moved to assessment. Students will be systematically guided to analyze the sutdy and assessment requirement of all their subjects, to develop clear understanding of the aims of the subjects and the criteria needed for high achievements. Through the tutor's direct public examination experience in marking, setting and chief examining, students will be guided to approach their subjects first from a setter's point of view, and then a marker's. The former will help students fully appreciate the key learning and emphases of each subject, whilst the latter will help them develop unique skills in answering examination questions and undertaking assessment with optimal performance, for achieving the highest possible grade best representing their study achievements.
Unlike the normal tutorial programme, this is not one for helping students to review assignments and do them effectively for achieving the best grade in their homework. Rather, it is a high-level analytical, synthesizing and evaluating programme helping students to develop self-sufficiency in optimizing their studies and attaining the highest possible achievement. It will end when the tutor is certain that students have mastered this self-sustaining proficiency. The duration will vary from individual to individual, based on the match of their existing skills and habits with those required by the programme and their foundation, normally taking between 6-12 months.
Fees:
Individual mentoring: $8,000 per month
Group of 4 students: $2,500 per student per month
