Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332

Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

Essay 1: Describe how you will use reading strategies covered in this

course to support you in your study.

Although a voracious reader by nature, it felt like my reading skills were

being put to the test when I signed up to pursue my degree a month ago.

Since it is over ten years that I have gone back to study, I found the

excerpts on reading skills and strategies particularly useful in helping me

process my learning through the course of study.

Firstly, I have found that the C.R.E.A.M. strategy, put forward by Cottrell

(2003), when applied successfully to my reading seemed to be a most

effective tool in helping me get through the required readings for my study.

The C.R.E.A.M. strategy is essentially an acronym for : creative, reflective,

effective, active, and motivated. I found that using this strategy as a

framework, I can adopting simple reading techniques that work for me. I

am more of a visual than auditory learner, and therefore, find that finger

tracking, highlighting important words and phrases, and note-making are

keys to me being able to effectively process reading material. That aside,

my environment and the goings-on around me play a big part in my ability

to reflect on the content of my reading. I have found that those evenings

when I have little or no disturbances around me, are the times I am able to

be most productive with the processing of my thoughts, in relation to

analysing what the author is trying to get at.

Page 1 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

Further, I must mention that the reading technique of SQ3R introduced by

Robinson (1978), while seemingly outdated, is a skill that I learned in

university, but one that I find most constructive for academic reading. It is

my opinion that using this particular approach is a great template for

making notes logically while reading the assigned text. This method is an

acronym for five basic steps: „Surveying‟ the text by reading the title, any

sub headings, bold or italic phrases, graphic aids or illustrations, and

perhaps the conclusion if there is one, „Questioning‟ the author‟s line of

reasoning, the audience, making lists of questions that may crop up in

relation to the subject matter, and simple things like looking up words that I

do not find familiar. The next part, '3R', stand for Reading, Reciting and

Reviewing the text. The „Reading „ refers to a more „active‟ form where I

read to find possible answers to the questions I have formulated during the

questioning stage, as well as write down additional thoughts or questions

that may crop up through statements that I may think are questionable, or

unclear. „Reciting‟ of the material is more intentional and reflective in nature

where I am able to analyse and reason out answers to the questions I‟ve

dwelt on, in the questioning and reading phases, and being able to recall

the salient points of the text. Lastly, „Reviewing‟ helps me make sense of

my notes, and reflections, as I try to organise the information I have

gleaned in such a way that assists me in getting an in-depth idea of my

Page 2 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

learning.I find that I am able to get a better grasp of the topic, and retain the

core information if I adopt this pattern of reading to my study.

While I am positive that there are other strategies I will probably come

across in the course of my study, I am convinced that these two are a good

starting point to ensure that I stay focused and on track.

Page 3 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

Reference List:

Cottrell, S. (2003). The study skills handbook (pp. 121-132). New York, NY:
Palgrave Macmillan.

Robinson, F. P. (1970). Effective study. (4th ed.). New York, NY: Harper &
Row.

Page 4 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

Essay 2: Identify study skills that you will adopt to be successful in your

studies and explain how you will implement these. Identify two challenges

that you may face and explain the steps you will take to address these.

I was inspired a week ago by a Bible verse: “With upright heart he

shepherded them and guided them with his skilful hand.” (Psalm 78:72,

English Standard Version, 2016). It made me consider that having a heart

and a passion to study is simply not enough to inspire learning; one

requires to acquire specific skills in order to be successful. Cuesta College

(2017) urges students to consider that studying effectively is more of an on-

going, evolving process, versus an event. There is no shortage of

information available to students seeking to improve their study skills,

however, I have narrowed down two critical modus operandi to improving

my studying habits during this course.

Developing sound research skills are vital to successful studying, and these

demonstrate a deeper understanding and learning of the subject. Gathering

information from a range of sources, such that they support my thinking and

writing is a key skill that I intend mastering through the duration of my

course. I intend to hone this skill by using a range of sources to inform my

academic thinking and writing. These would include not only the NZTC

Study Guide, and the reading recommendations, but also relevant online

Page 5 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

journals, news publications, and excerpts from books. Assessing and

analysing how relevant, how reliable and how valid the content of the text

is, is one of the approaches I have used and will continue to use through

my study. The way I intend to do this is by selecting as up to date

information as possible, using recent statistics and data as far as possible,

using speed reading and skimming techniques to get a feel for what text

may be more appropriate than others.Constantly asking pointed questions

such as who the author of the text is, assessing as to whether or not they

are well-known in that particular field of study, and gauging as to whether or

not their opinions are biased and to what extent are also some of the ways I

hope to grow my research skills as I study.

(New Zealand Tertiary College [NZTC], 2017 refers to an excerpt from

Cuesta College (2003) that suggests that we retain only small fractions of

our learning, unless we adopt an integrated approach. This strikes a chord

with me since it encourages a holistic style. I believe that to be able to learn

in a way that is accumulative, I will need to use a method that is

comprehensive and engaging, and to me, this skill hits home in more ways

than one. According to Cuesta College (2003), one needs to focus on

Reading, Listening, Seeing, Hearing, Talking (to others), Practicing (or

Applying the knowledge in a practical situation) and lastly, Imparting

(knowledge learned). In applying this to my own study, I intend to read the

study material that has been recommended, as well as search for relevant

Page 6 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

texts that would support and assist me make informed opinions. My

learning style tends to be particularly visual, and so, in addition to looking

for videos and other visual aids, I intend to make notes as I try to organise

my thoughts. Since this online course of study has an open discussion

forum, I intend to use this tool to voice my opinions, and also share

learnings and experiences with other classmates. As my school year

begins, I also intend to put into use some of the learning as I interact in my

early childhood context, and lastly, it is my hope that I am able to share my

new learnings with colleagues who may not have had an opportunity to be

exposed to an early childhood training.

When I first enrolled into this course, a month ago, my obstacles to study

seemed different then, however, a current family crisis is definitely taking

much of my mind space. With my Mom‟s health suddenly deteriorating from

recurrent cancer, I have found it a struggle over the past 3 weeks to study.

Aside from the obvious constraint with time, since I am the primary care-

giver, I am of the opinion that this also has put a considerable stress on my

mental and emotional health.

One of the keys to overcoming this major obstacle, I feel, is being able to

talk with my „present‟ support network. I specifically refer to those people

who are physically in the same city as I am- this would be my husband, and

now, my Dad. Between them, they have this quality of keeping me focused

Page 7 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

on my ultimate goal, renewing my motivation to complete my course of

study, and constantly spurring me on. This aside, my husband has a copy

of my study schedule, so he gives me gentle reminders of my own personal

goals. I have also noticed that the days I am able to get enough rest, and

nutrition, that I am better able to focus on studying, and be more efficient

and effective with the time I set aside for this purpose. Lastly, I find that

setting aside some time for prayer and meditation, tend to help with my

peace of mind, and free up my thoughts so that I am able to concentrate

better.

Lengefeld (2009) states that “choosing specific times and places for study

can be a difficult task, especially if you also have a job, are involved with

family or have other commitments” (p. 19). I tend to echo this particular

sentiment and can say that since enrolling for the course, have found this

(time management and prioritising my study) to be my second biggest

challenge.

I have discovered, however, that by understanding what my motivations for

studying are, figuring out my particular learning style, and using goal

setting, that I am able to use my time more effectively and get the most out

of the hours I set aside to study. I have now been able to formulate a

working study plan that is effective for me and my specific situation.

O‟Connor and Diggins (2002) refer to a 3 part process to the cycle of

Page 8 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

Reflective Practice that Early Childhood educators should commit to, and I

have found that a their method works just as well when it applied to my

study approach. I use this method when reviewing my weekly goals for

study along with my study schedule. Using their approach, I stop, think, and

make changes where required at the end of each week, where I feel like I

may have fallen short of a study goal.

I am conscious of the fact, that as a student, there will always be room for

improvement, and consider this particular phase of life to be a journey

where my process of learning will not be static, but rather a culmination of a

number of best practices. With this in mind, I look forward to my growth and

adopting different techniques and approaches, which will help me achieve

my final goal.

Page 9 of 10
Bed114: Early Childhood Writing and Research 1 Student ID: 20170332
Student Name: Anjali Charmayne Joanne Vase

Reference List:

Cottrell, S. (2003). The study skills handbook (2nd ed., pp.90-95; pp. 115-
120).
New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.

Cuesta College (2017). Study Skills. Retrieved from

http://cuesta.edu/student/resources/ssc/study_guides/study_skills
/503_study_steps.html

Cuesta College (2003)

Lengefeld, U. (2009) Study skills strategies:Get the most from every minute
of learning (4th ed., pp. 19-25). Rochester, NY: AXZO Press.

New Zealand Tertiary College. (2017). BEd114: Early Childhood Writing

and Research 1 study guide. Auckland, New Zealand: Author.

O‟Connor, A., & Diggins, C. (2002). On reflection: Reflective practice for

early childhood educators (pp. 9-17). Lower Hutt, New Zealand: Open
Mind Publishing.

Page 10 of 10