11 Memory & Study Skills courses in Watford

OVERVIEW -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We encounter lots of incidents every day at home or at work in which we need to think deeply about our decisions. Making the right choice not only saves time but also saves money and makes everyone happy. In this course, participants will learn how to refine their intuitions in order to make them trustable. Critical thinking and analysis will be a practice and habit for them and they will find themselves subconsciously using them. They will learn how to make sensible conclusions out of the data they managed to gather. 

OVERVIEW -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When it comes to a complex decision-making process, we are always confronted with problems that require us to take an efficient decision. It involves prioritising our work, understanding the failure of the process and deciding how to resolve the issue. All these things require a realistic approach to problem-solving.  This course will enable us to learn how to be inventive, logical decision maker by understanding the principles behind critical thinking and the tools used to consistently identify and select the best decision among multiple alternatives.  

If you have the desire to memorise anything incredibly quickly, and retain it for as long as you need, this course is for you! In a fun, dynamic way, where we purposefully combine different teaching approaches to get you to a level of mastery in the shortest possible time, we will teach you the ins and outs of memory. You will be amazed by how powerful your own brain can be!

This is an incredibly practical programme which has been developed to enable participants to improve their memory skills. The session focuses on specific techniques that can be used to improve retention of information. It also introduces the principles of mind-mapping By the end of this programme participants will be able to: * Explain how our brain processes and stores information * Describe the difference between short-term and long-term memory * Use specific techniques to improve retention * Explain the principles of mind mapping * Be able to use mind maps to plan and order information Each participant, no matter how poor they believe their memory to be, will by the close of the session have learnt techniques that enable them to memorise 53 items in a prescriptive order - a massive boost to their confidence in their memory skills. 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BRAIN'S FUNCTIONS * Introductory brain-training * How the brain works * Left / right brain function * Short-term and long-term memory * Barriers to a good memory 2 MEMORY TECHNIQUES * Tips and techniques for improving memory * Basic word association * Chaining and linking * Touchstone techniques * Use of mnemonics * Memory hooks * Remembering names 3 MAXIMISING MEMORY * Minimising barriers * The importance of sleep and diet * Supplements which may affect memory 4 MIND-MAPPING * Purpose and principles * Creating a mind map * Use of colour to delight the eye and tickle the brain * How to use the output from a map

This is an essential programme for managers or members of staff (or students) who need to be able to read and summarise information on screen faster and more effectively. The session focuses on the different types of reading style and encourages better retention of written material through the use of specific speed-reading techniques. By the end of this programme participants will be able to: * Explain the principles of speed reading * Understand the barriers to reading * Use different reading styles according to the information being read * Read more effectively from tablet and computer screens * Co-ordinate eye movements better * Minimise any poor reading habits * Increase reading speed by over 50%, without losing comprehension * Improve retention of information using specific techniques The programme focuses on how to maximise reading from electronic devices by exploring techniques which will reduce eyestrain and improve reading effectiveness. The session also explains different types of reading styles and how to learn new, positive reading habits. 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO SPEED READING * The history of speed reading * Assumptions about reading * The process of reading * Schema and its influence on interpretation * Eye/brain relationship * How our brain processes written information 2 MINIMISING BARRIERS TO READING * Understanding eye tics * Mouthing * The influence of different light sources * Body clocks and making use of natural patterns 3 READING STYLES * Importance of choosing the right reading style * Speeds and their influence on retention * Reading for pleasure * Proof reading * Scanning * Skimming * Reading for retention * SQRW principles 4 READING FROM ELECTRONIC DEVICES * The challenge of reading from screens * Importance of breaks and proper display screen evaluation * Calibrating screens and background colours * Formatting documents * Using eye guides

This course will start by giving you an overview of some of the common types and causes of learning disabilities, characteristics and behaviours and how they affect people. We will consider which learning & behavioural strategies are appropriate and how using a person centred approach to care will get the best results and ensure that needs of the individual are effectively met. We also discuss overcoming the stigma attached to learning disabilities

This course aims to give the learner the understanding of what autism is and how it affects a child or adults daily life, we will discuss the typical behaviours and how to offer support. We will identify a range of interventions and approaches improve the quality and daily lives of individuals with these conditions

This is an essential programme for any member of staff whose role requires a high level of attention to detail. The focus is specifically on the handling of text and data, whether at the input stage or when collating information into reports and documents for use by others. The session looks at both prevention and cure. For 'prevention', it focuses on understanding how common errors occur and on developing an awareness of the factors which influence our level of attentiveness. It introduces key psychological theories around attentiveness including the 'capacity' and 'bottleneck filter' models. And it looks at how working styles can affect attention to detail. For 'cure', the programme looks at how to minimise the effect of stress on concentration as well as introducing a number of tools and techniques for promoting accuracy - at both the input and the checking stages. Particular attention is paid to proof-reading techniques. By the end of the session, participants will: * Appreciate why errors occur * Understand how stress and other factors can affect focus and accuracy * Know how to improve accuracy and reduce errors when handling text and data * Be able to proof-read text and number-based documents more accurately 1 THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCURACY * The impact of mistakes * Why accuracy is so important * Main reasons why errors occur 2 ATTENTIVENESS THEORY * The 'capacity' and 'bottleneck filter' models * Selective attention * Chunking - big picture / little picture 3 PREPARING FOR ACCURACY * Working styles - how they affect detail-orientation * Identifying and minimising the impact of stress on concentration 4 PRACTICAL STRATEGIES * How to improve accuracy and reduce errors when inputting text * Managing interruptions and distractions * Proofing text and numbers

This is a relaxed and informal workshop for N2MY members on managing expectations around meeting new people and dating led by our lovely friends at Pioneer Approaches. A limited number of non-member spaces are also available for this workshop.

English Language courses at Bath Academy are suitable for every type of student. Join classes every Monday.