“Kak cheshta, bako dhyanam, shwan nidra tathaiv cha, alpahari, grihatyagi, vidyarthi
panch lakshanam”.
One who continues making efforts like a crow , one who is vigilant and attentive like a
swan, one who is a very light sleeper like a dog, one who eats less and one who stays
away from home, are the five basic traits a learner must possess to achieve his learning
goals.
Vedic Samskaras
swan, one who is a very light sleeper like a dog, one who eats less and one who stays
away from home, are the five basic traits a learner must possess to achieve his learning
goals.
Vedic Samskaras
There are many theories presented by theoreticians for explaining the fundamentals of success in life. From the traditional explanation of IQ, which primarily solves logical problems; we have now learnt that
Emotional Quotient (EQ) is a key factor for success as it convinces one to judge the situation and guides to behave appropriately. A new theory professes that the key to human success is Spiritual Quotient (SQ) which allows one to ask if he wanted to be in that situation in the first place. The modern emphasis on SQ has also brought to fore the fact that a person with low IQ would highly unlikely have the wherewithal to use EQ or SQ effectively. Thus the importance of IQ or the basic intelligence in any shape, form, or fashion has not diminished but has rather helped augment other forms of mental robustness to deal with different situations. In the absence of a scientific IQ test, in the government/corporate system the basic intelligence wrt to the service is measured through the performance of the person in the training courses.
The performances in mandatory training courses therefore have acquired a central place in the intellectual environment of any entity. Apprehensions about not being able to do well in a particular test or examination despite the best preparations by trainees are not uncommon. Though a majority of the trainees have more or less similar entry-level intelligence, there still remain unexplained areas as to why some qualify for early geniuses whereas some others take time to consolidate. In the training system the learners have been made mostly responsible for their learning, this is because of understanding of the concepts of ‘Andragogy’. As an instructor one is exposed to the myriad problems that plague the early stages of learning of the trainee, the adult trainees do not change their behavior merely because someone tells them to do so, rather they change when they feel the need for it and they imbibe learning in their own style.
The training systems in corporate or government provide stimulating atmosphere and mostly cater for adult learners. A lot is therefore desired from the trainee in form of structured self-learning. The trainers do not spend time in developing this self learning skills because they assume that their trainees have already acquired the skills of ‘how to learn’ from their earlier learning days. Many such trainees who come from remote areas or poor institutions never get chance to get exposed to the basic tenet of organized learning and at no stage get any help to acquire study skills. This affects their studies adversely when they come to sophisticated training systems. This in many ways also affects their future career because of the early poor performance baggage that they carry further in their career (seniority, appointment and courses etc.). Only a few of them grow through experience and transform themselves to achievers that too when there is a
self-awakening on these skills.
self-awakening on these skills.
Yet, there have been many cases of ineffective learning, which may be attributed to the fact that little or no systemic effort is made in improving study skills required for success. It is thus mandatory that trainees should be helped to acquire good studying strategies as early as possible, certainly before they develop poor study habits. Teaching study skills would help the learners learn more while spending less time studying. There are many such skills devised in the Vedic Samskaras to the 21 century theories. One such set of studying skills put across by Dr. Bob Kizlik which is most appropriate for our training conditions are:-
-The Schedule. Each learner should have his own schedule of learning (other than your training programme), which if managed properly should provide time where it is needed. It should take into account every demonstration, laboratory, simulator work, lecture, social event, sports and other activities in which the trainee is engaged.
-The Process. How & where to use the time is important. One can study anywhere. However, some places are better than others. The place chosen for self -study should not be distracting.
-The Strategies. Effective thinking skills cannot be studied, but must be built over a period of time. Good thinkers see possibilities where others see only dead-end. Ask them what it is they do when they think critically or creatively, and often one can pick up valuable insights to help you become a better thinker.
-The Method. The SQ3R method is probably the most useful aid to building up and refining one’s study skills. It helps one to organise the structure of a subject in mind, set study goals and focus on essential information. SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recall and Review.
- -Survey: Survey the document/learning material; scan the contents, introduction, chapter introductions and chapter summaries to pick up a shallow overview of the text. Form an opinion of whether it will be of any help.
- -Question. Make a note of any questions on the subject that come to mind, or particularly interest you following your survey. Perhaps scan the document again to see if any stand out. These questions can be considered almost as study goals – understanding the answers can help you to structure the information in your own mind.
- -Read. Read learning material through useful sections in detail, taking care to understand all the points that are relevant. This will particularly be the slow if there is a lot of complicated information. Taking notes in Concept Map format is a very helpful tool.
- -Recall. Once reading is over, run the content through in your mind several times. Isolate the core facts or the essential processes behind the subject, and then see how other information fits around them.
- -Review. Once the content is recalled, you can move on to the stage of reviewing it. This can be done by rereading the document, by expanding the notes, or by discussing the material with colleagues. A particularly effective method of reviewing information is to discuss or explain the same to some one.
There is no theory in place to prove that all strategists and leaders sparkled from the day of their incarnation (some of them probably did not have the wherewithal of learning skills in the early adult stages). A study of the great military heroes like Yi Sun Shin, Horatio Nelson, Frank Jack Fletcher, Gaius Duilius, Don Juan, Rajendra Chola I, François Joseph Paul, Isoroku Yamamoto, John Fieldhouse etc. would reveal that they all had varied training backgrounds. But with their ingenuity they became the greatest war strategists and took an inferior military to defeat a superior adversary. Francis Galton and Immanuel Kant through their elaborate works have therefore classified geniuses into the likes of the born, made, or achieve varieties. The modern theoreticians even place geniuses as those who “have the intelligence, enthusiasm, and endurance to acquire the needed expertise in a broadly valued domain of achievement” and who then make contributions to the field that is considered by peers to be both “original and highly exemplary”
As a trainer one would love to believe that genius is achievable and thus invest in selected trainees, believing that a few could change the course of history. If one knew as to what theories govern this apotheosis, one can probably create and nurture a few more of these beautiful minds. Trainees are smart in different ways; some can resolve critical issues at the drop of a hat, others can memorize everything in a book on complex systems, a good yachtsman, a good salesman, or be the center of attention. Though they realize what they are good at, but at times they are not able to figure out the best way to study in a training scenario. Thus, in the modern system of filtering, one often finds that a few beautiful minds are lost to oblivion at a very early stage due to lack of certain basic skills of learning, resulting in poor performance and its consequent effects. It is in this context one needs to take a serious look at the issue of studying skills so as to help these trainees.
by
Captain PK Padhy retd.
Bibliography
1. Chris lundwell, 2003; The Millennial Mentor: The 8-Gate Principles That Create Distinguished Careers & Companies, 1st Books Library; ISBN 1410722201, 978-1410722201.
2. Dean Keith Simonton, 2009; Genius 101: Creators, Leaders, and Prodigies; Springer Publishing Co. ISBN 0826106277, 9780826106278.
2. Dean Keith Simonton, 2009; Genius 101: Creators, Leaders, and Prodigies; Springer Publishing Co. ISBN 0826106277, 9780826106278.
1Daniel Goleman, 1990 revealed findings in neuroscience and psychology that stressed the importance of Emotional Quotient (EQ).
2 Dana Zohar and Ian Marshall, Spiritual Intelligence—The Ultimate Intelligence.
3 The art and science of helping adults to learn, Malcolm Knowles (1973).
4 This information adapted from: Robinson, Francis Pleasant (1970) ; Effective study. New York: Harper & Row.
5 A concept map is a diagram showing the relationships among concepts. They are graphical tools for
organizing and representing knowledge.
6 Of the at least 23 major battles during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598), Admiral Yi gained
victories in all of them; he never lost a single engagement. .
7 Operational commander at the pivotal Battles of Coral Sea and of Midway.
8 Won a major victory over the Carthaginians during the battle of Mylae thus setting the stage for the
decline of Carthage as per-eminent naval power of antiquity.
9 The Victor of the Battle of Lepanto, the last major naval engagement between galley fleets; this battle set the stage for the decline of the Turkish Empire.
10 Fought the British fleet to a standstill at the Battle of the Capes, and forced the British to retire without supplying Yorktown, thus forcing George III to give up his American colonies
11 Commander of the British Task Force, given responsibility for “Operation Corporate”, the mission to
recover the Falkland Islands.
- See more at: http://thetrainerscamp.com/relevance-of-studying-skills-to-training/#sthash.zwIzqYXZ.dpuf2 Dana Zohar and Ian Marshall, Spiritual Intelligence—The Ultimate Intelligence.
3 The art and science of helping adults to learn, Malcolm Knowles (1973).
4 This information adapted from: Robinson, Francis Pleasant (1970) ; Effective study. New York: Harper & Row.
5 A concept map is a diagram showing the relationships among concepts. They are graphical tools for
organizing and representing knowledge.
6 Of the at least 23 major battles during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598), Admiral Yi gained
victories in all of them; he never lost a single engagement. .
7 Operational commander at the pivotal Battles of Coral Sea and of Midway.
8 Won a major victory over the Carthaginians during the battle of Mylae thus setting the stage for the
decline of Carthage as per-eminent naval power of antiquity.
9 The Victor of the Battle of Lepanto, the last major naval engagement between galley fleets; this battle set the stage for the decline of the Turkish Empire.
10 Fought the British fleet to a standstill at the Battle of the Capes, and forced the British to retire without supplying Yorktown, thus forcing George III to give up his American colonies
11 Commander of the British Task Force, given responsibility for “Operation Corporate”, the mission to
recover the Falkland Islands.
