SCI: Teaching & Learning of Study Skills in a History Lesson

We are currently embarking on a project, which is to incorporate the use of study skills in the teaching and learning of the history subject. Why study skills? Because we believe that it is an important set of skills which all students must need in order to do well in exams and be life-long leaners. Also, if the project is successful then it can be extended to other subjects as well.

This study will involve pupils from the Sec 2 Express classess who are academically weak. It will be conducted during Term 3 and study skills (mind-mapping, critical thinking and memorising techniques) will be imparted to the students over a span of 1 term. Students will be assessed to see the impact of the skills on their performance.

My concerns:

1. Are there any factors that affect students performance? Is it just lack of study skills? Are there other factors such as: negative learning environment/ lack of retention/ language barriers? If so, how do we exclude the students having these problems?
2. Is mind-mapping a suitable study skill? Some students might not be able to do mind-maps...
3. Why is mind-mapping taught first? Any possible reasons or study to support this? Is this the mose impactful skill of all? If that is the case, then is there a need to teach other skills?
4. How is the teacher going to teach the skill within the term? Is it just a programme whereby the teachers teach and the students get it? Will there be any activities involved? Are the teachers trained?
5. Are we assessing them one their performance after learning (AOL) or are we assessing them on their learning through the use of the skills (AFL)?
6. How are we assessing the students? Any rubrics?