Synopses & Reviews
Written by a master teacher, the second edition ofStudy Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? ensures that potentially difficult and dry subject matter comes alive by integrating two core themes: critical thinking and personal choice.
Students must engage in significant and deep learning to make classroom strategies immediately applicable and sustainable for long-term success. This book realistically meets students where they are. It recognizes and builds upon the knowledge and study skill strategies students already possess while emphasizing the need for critical thinking and personal responsibility. Piscitelli encourages students to reflect on their skill base, embrace change--and enjoy the sustained growth fostered by that change.
Features include:
- Opening chapter questionnaires that encourage students to CRITICALLY ASSESS their current level of skill
- MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES begin and end each chapter, allowing students to demonstrate new knowledge and competencies
- REALITY CHECKS at the end of each chapter ask students to utilize new skills to solve real-life dilemmas.
- More than 120 reflective activities allow students to IMMEDIATELY PUT INTO PRACTICE the study skills they will need for academic success
- NEW CHAPTER on CIVILITY IN THE CLASSROOM provides guidelines for interaction with classmates, instructors, and their community
- NEW CHAPTER on INFORMATION LITERACY gives students timely strategies for navigating this essential part of their college education
- At last, a skills text that provides the necessary tools to succeed and the ‘Why’ behind it!
“This text offers comparable coverage, and even more extensive coverage than most study skills textbooks with more specific detail.”
--Michelle Byrd, East Tennessee State University
“The topic of civility is extraordinarily apropos for today’s student!”
--Elizabeth Huggins, Augusta State University
Additional Support — in and out of the classroom…
Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff?, Second Edition, has its own Companion Website designed to help students review the text material. This site (www.prenhall.com/piscitelli) can also be accessed through the Student Success Supersite (www.prenhall.com/success), where students and faculty will find an array of resources. In addition, instructors will be pleased to know this book offers an instructor’s manual and test bank, computerized test bank, and PowerPoint slides.
Start strong. Finish stronger.
www.MyStudentSuccessLab.com
Synopsis
Are students doing what is required to get them where they want to go?This book gets students to ask and answer this vital question. Written by a master teacher, the 2nd edition of Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? makes potentially difficult and dry subject matter come alive by integrating two critical themes for student and life success: critical thinking and personal choice. Each study skill is introduced and built on specific standards of critical thinking, and then the reader immediately practices the study skills they need for academic success. The second theme, personal choice, reinforces responsible decision making and follow-through to put potential and ambition into action. Ambition is the desire; potential the ability; initiative is the doing. Effective study skills will empower students to do what is needed to master their course requirements and this book will provide the necessary tools!
About the Author
Steve Piscitelli has accumulated more than two decades of teaching and professional development experience. He has taught students of varying abilities and grade levels, from middle school through the university level. He has been recognized for his effective teaching style with awards at the school, county, and international level. Steve is also a seasoned workshop developer and presenter. He brings energy, humor, interaction, live original music, and practicality to his workshops.
Steve received degrees from Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida, and the University of Florida. He is currently a professor of history, education, and student success at Florida Community College in Jacksonville.
In addition to this second edition of Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff?, Pearson Prentice Hall published his 2008 book Rhythms of College Success: A Journey of Discovery, Change, and Mastery. Steve, also, has authored numerous articles and a history review book for students.
Steve lives with his wife, Laurie, and canine companion, Buddy, in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
Table of Contents
(Note: Each chapter contains the features Spotlight On Classroom Skills, Preview, Key Terms, Chapter Introduction, Chapter Summary, and Reality Check)
Introduction: The Choices You Make
1. Setting the Stage: What’s On Your Mind?
What Do You think of When You Hear the Term Study Skills?
What Is On Your Mind?
Is There a Common Thread to These Chapters?
2. Critical Thinking: How Will Higher-Order Thinking Skills Improve Academic Success?
Defining Critical Thinking
Higher-Order Thinking Skills
Using Higher-Order Thinking Skills
Adapting Old Skills to New Situations: Making Choices
3. Goal Setting: If You Know What You Want to Do, Why Do You Need to Read About Goal Setting?
Motivation
Goal Setting
4. Organizing Time and Space: How Will These Skills Improve Academic Performance and Reduce Your Stress?
Organization and Time
Organization and Space
Organization and Stress
5. Learning Styles: How Will Knowing Your Learning Style Help With Your Studies?
One Size Does Not Fit All
Why Now?
Thinking: How Do You Process Information?
6. Class Time: How Can You Be More Successful During Class Time?
Do I Know What the Instructor Is Doing in Front of the Room?
Do I Know What I Am Doing in the Back of the Room?
Note Taking as an Active Learning Strategy
7. Note taking: How Will Effective Notes Help You Understand Class Material?
Learning While Taking Notes
Learning After You Have Taken Your Notes: ROI
Using Your Notes to Understand the Big Picture
Additional Out-of-Class Strategies to Improve Your Notes
8. Reading: You Have to Read 1,000 Pages By When?
Do You Know Why You Read an Assignment?
How to Complete a Textbook Reading Assignment
Additional Strategies for Reading Success
9. Memory: Why Do You Forget--And What Can You Do About It?
Noticing the Information
Storing the Information You Have Noticed
Reclaiming the Information You Have Stored
10. Test Taking: How Can You Improve Your Test-Preparation and Test-Performance Skills?
What Test-Taking Skills Do You Possess?
Test Anxiety
Additional Test-Taking Strategies
11. Information Literacy: How Can You Use Information and Technology For Your Benefit?
Four Simple Steps to Completing an Assignment in an Information Literate Manner
Responsibilities of the Information Age
12. Civility: How Can Working with Others Affect Your Academic Success?
Emotional Intelligence
Working with People
Interpersonal Relationships: How to "Play Nice" with Other People
Are You Really Listening, or Just Talking?
Conflict Management
13. The Choices You Make: How Do Your Current Decisions Affect Your Future?
The Choices You Make
Where Have You Been--And What Have You Done?
References
Problem-Solving Index
Subject Index