Dear all
the term 'study skills' may be **used** by students and tutors - but I would question whether we can say that they **understand** what this means - or, indeed, can or might mean. We know that language can mislead our thinking - 'bewitch our intelligence' as Wittgenstein said. Critically, the use of possessive language ('acquiring', 'having', 'possessing' skills etc) and instrumentalist language ('using' skills) certainly creates problems. The concept of skill evades clear conceptualisation of its ontological status.
There **is** an alternative to such possessive-instrumentalist conceptualisation of skill (and knowledge, competence, etc - and also learning): that of (social) practices. There has been considerable development of social theorising and research within what has been termed 'the practice turn'. Alongside the concept of identity, learning development **could** potentially make considerable theoretical as well as practical-pedagogic advances.
Students are engaged in identity projects (to become a graduate) and so must engage in the practices deemed to be appropriate to the social context within which they progress towards their graduate identity (expressed in terms of 'graduateness', 'graduate attributes' etc) and show that they can engage in the practices appropriate to the contexts in which being a graduate is salient.
regards
Len
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Dr Leonard Holmes
Research Degrees Convenor
Reader in Management
University of Roehampton | London | SW15 5PJ
www.roehampton.ac.uk/staff/LeonardHolmes
Centre for Organizational Research
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From: learning development in higher education network [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kim Shahabudin [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 04 July 2013 11:35
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Study skills or academic skills
Suspect you'll find that it's the 'skills' bit that's generally more disputed in this community than the study/academic bit! Though (pragmatically) we do use 'study skills' when we're talking to students and tutors because it's the term they understand, even though it doesn't describe what we offer and we avoid it in our more concrete resources (leaflets and online materials). Personally, I prefer 'academic practices' and 'development'.
Perhaps a compromise would be something around 'developing your skills for academic study'?
Kim
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Dr Kim Shahabudin, FHEA, Study Adviser, Study Advice & Maths Support
1st Floor, University of Reading Library, Whiteknights, PO Box 223, Reading, RG6 6AE
• 0118 378 4645 • www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice<http://www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice> twitter: @unirdg_study
Please note that I now work part-time and am not usually on campus on Mondays and Tuesdays
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From: learning development in higher education network [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Eloise Sentito [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 04 July 2013 11:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Study skills or academic skills
For me the ‘academic’ bit might be more likely to encompass criticality, creativity and curiosity, i.e. ways of being that are, I think, fundamental to enquiry in learning and teaching, and therefore take the ‘skills’ bit beyond just ways of doing.
Eloïse
Learning Development with Plymouth University
www.learningdevelopment.plymouth.ac.uk<http://www.learningdevelopment.plymouth.ac.uk/>
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Neil Ford
Sent: 04 July 2013 11:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Study skills or academic skills
Hi all,
I’m feeling a bit out of my comfort zone on this one so thought I'd ask those who might know!
At BU we use the term "academic skills" on our online support community, facebook page, workshop programme, and support email.
I've always preferred the term "study skills", for one thing it's more consistent with our materials (we're heavy skills4study campus users and I see the new Learn Higher site also uses the term “study skills”).
It also just seems more accessible and attainable to me. In my mind it's a more meaningful term for students (although I have no evidence for this).
As we're revamping our online skills community we have a perfect opportunity to change (I hate to use the word "rebrand"!) but now the nagging voices of doubt are creeping in!
Most places I've looked at seem to use the terms synonymously so I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether the two terms have subtly different meanings?
Or am I worrying about nothing? Does it really matter what we call it as long as it's clear and consistent to students what we mean?
All the best,
Neil
Neil Ford
Academic Liaison Development Manager
Library and Learning Support
The Sir Michael Cobham Library
Bournemouth University
Talbot Campus
Poole
Dorset
BH12 5BB
Tel: +44(0)1202 965648
email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
web site: www.bournemouth.ac.uk<http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/>
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