It is unfortunate that we are producing learners who are too dependent on their teachers. They are being instructed on what to do in almost every learning activity, leaving little room for making independent decisions on learning. [..]
Some of these learners are with their teachers almost every minute they are in school, so much so that when left on their own, they are lost. It is for this reason that learners should be encouraged to study on their own starting at an early age. They should be encouraged to take charge of their independent study, and here we give suggestions on how to get started.
It is important for learners to understand that effective study does not merely involve the action of grabbing a book and sitting down to read. If individual study is to bear fruit, one must plan meticulously. What I have outlined below are suggestions that have been proven to work for many learners and are therefore worth trying for learners who are having difficulties in individual study.
1. Study in a quiet room
It is the responsibility of the parent to provide a private environment for learning to their children at home that should include adequate time to study independently. A learner should be helped to select a private room for study, even if it is his/her bedroom, so long as the basic facilities are provided. These should include a table and a comfortable chair in a well-lit area free of interruptions. A sitting room is unlikely to offer a private environment that is conducive to learning unless the learner is the only one in the house. Not with the other members of the family moving up and down. The television and radio are likely to be on and thus unintentionally interrupt the learner.
2. Get all that you will need.
Before the start to study, it is important for one to get all that he or she will need. This may include class notes, textbooks, a mathematical set, a pen, a pencil, a ruler and so on. One should avoid having anything that may distract him or her nearby. A mobile phone should not be near unless it is switched off. One should not study in the sitting room with the television set or radio switched on. A learner should sit on a comfortable chair in a room with adequate light and then open the book in the planned area. One is then set to begin studying.
3. Read silently
One is advised to begin reading quietly and avoid pointing words with the finger or pronouncing the words as one reads along. Avoiding this would make one able to read faster. When reading, one should not simply memorize what is in the books. Those who set KCPE examinations are experts and will rephrase what is in the books in their own words as they prepare the examination questions. Other questions require one to apply what has been learned in new situations. As such, memorization alone would not help. One must really understand what is being read.
4. Create memory devices
What is read is more likely to be remembered if it is associated with something that is well known. The use of rhymes or memory tricks to organize being read can be very useful. This will enable one to remember it later. An example of such rhyme is “Richard Of York Gained Battle In Vain.” which reminds us of the colours of the rainbow and the order in which they occur. There are many others a learner can come up with. When choosing such rhymes, one should go for what is familiar as it is less likely to be forgotten. There could be as many different rhymes and tricks to help one recall what has been read as there are learners. One should, therefore, attempt to find a way that best suits him or her.
5. Underline key words
It is necessary to underline keywords such as terms, definitions (meanings), and formulae, as well as connect words that you may find critical to understanding the context of the keywords. Examples of such connecting words may include -such as, not greater than, and main, among others.
Underlining keywords enables one to review the work faster later because all the words would have been divided into three categories. These are key, connecting and filler words. Filler words and sentences, which are the majority, are only used to support the other two.
6. Take a keen interest in diagrams.
One ought to take special interest in diagrams, photographs, graphs and tables as they convey valuable information. Such illustrations are also frequently presented in examinations and are often done poorly. As such, diagrams and maps given as part of the notes by the teacher should be drawn very carefully and accurately, with the labelling done clearly. The most important is that what is represented should be understood. If in doubt, ask your teacher for clarification.
7. Check the meaning of new words.
As one reads, the aim should not only be to understand what is being read but also to increase the word power. This is achieved by checking for the meaning of new words in the dictionary, attempting to get their meaning from the context in which they are used, and then confirming their meaning from the dictionary.
8. Make short summary notes.
It is also important for one to learn the art of making short notes that can be perused within a very short time. The aim of these short notes should be to refresh one on what has been learnt. These should be very brief notes, at times in shorthand, in a small notebook that would easily fit the pocket. Under no circumstances, however, should one go to the examination room with such a notebook. Examination cheating is a wicked thing that one should not even think about.
9. Practice makes perfect
The parting shot is that practice makes perfect. As a learner, one should, therefore, make reading notes and other relevant information given by a teacher a habit and not something to be done only when expecting an examination. This is the only sure way of reaping benefits from the exercise. However, one should bear in mind that we are all different. There are some of us who do very little reading, yet they score very highly in examinations. Others need to read something just once, and it sticks in their mind. However, an average person will require reading materials again and again for them to be fully understood. So, one should find the method and the frequency of reading that is most comfortable and that yields desirable results other than simply following the crowd by doing what everybody else is doing.
