What is a Learning Strategy?
A learning strategy is an individual’s way of organizing and using a particular set of skills in order to learn content or accomplish other tasks more effectively and efficiently in school as well as in non-academic settings (Schumaker & Deshler, 1992).
Learning strategy instruction focuses on strategies that facilitate the active learning process by teaching students how to learn and how to use what they have learned to solve problems and be successful.
These strategies involve teaching how to develop a plan for studying for a test, monitoring understanding of the content, clarifying the materials, and evaluating work. This type of self-regulated learning is the key to successful life-long learning and includes the development of such strategies as goal setting, self-instruction, and self-monitoring. (Graham, Harris, & Reid, 1992)
What is the role of the Learning Skills Advisor?
Learning Skills Advisors teach students how to learn, rather than teaching them specific curriculum content or specific skills. Based on referral information from the Accessibility Advisor, the Learning Skills Advisor plans a sequence of sessions designed specifically to help the student develop and/or refine the individual learning strategies he/she needs. The Learning Skills Advisor then meets with students on a regular basis throughout the semester. Learning Skills Advisors can help students develop strategies for:
- reading and comprehending text
- studying and remembering information
- writing and taking notes
- improving assignment and test performance
- effectively interacting with others
- motivation
- problem-solving
- time management and organization
- self-advocacy
