Why did we develop Learn2Learn?
We started developing Learn2Learn after investigating student retention in the first year of Geoscience. We interviewed students at the beginning and end of their first year and followed how their experiences and attitudes changed. The students often struggled less with the course content itself and more with how they were expected to learn. Many of the skills they needed were simply assumed to be there.
There are other opportunities to develop study skills at UiO, but these are often one-time activities, and/or not connected to students’ actual courses. We wanted to try another approach.
How did we create Learn2Learn?
We developed Learn2Learn together with students and teachers in Geoscience. We started with three workshops. The first focused on study strategies, time management and note-taking. The second focused on teamwork, communication and presenting. The third focused on exam preparation and using AI and digital tools effectively and ethically. A key part of the project is that the workshops are connected to the courses. We work with lecturers to identify where a skill fits into the students’ studies and how it can be practised afterwards.
We also designed the project so that students can take an active role in running it. We initially taught the workshops with student teachers, who later led them and now train new facilitators. This also provides an opportunity to review and improve the workshops each year. We can add, change or remove parts depending on what students need and how the courses are (re)structured.
What are the benefits of the Learn2Learn approach??
Students encounter the skills when they actually need them, rather than learning about them in isolation. They also get time to practise and experiment instead of only listening to explanations.
Because the workshops are connected to courses, students can immediately see how the skills apply to their own studies.
The student-led structure creates an informal environment where students can try new approaches, make mistakes and learn from each other.
What comes next for Learn2Learn?
We have completed two pilot runs in Geoscience and are training a third group of students to teach the workshops.
We are now exploring how the approach can work across other departments and disciplines, identifying shared challenges in the natural sciences and discipline-specific needs.
We do not aim to create one fixed programme, but a model that can be adapted to different students, subjects and university contexts while keeping the same basic idea: students should not only be taught what to learn, but also supported in learning how to learn.
How can you develop something similar?
A good starting point is to talk to both students and first-year teachers. Ask students where they struggle and ask teachers which skills they expect students to have. This can help identify the skills that are most relevant in your study programme.
The next step is to look at where these skills could fit into the existing first-year structure, so that workshops can be connected to activities students are already doing.
It is also important to give students opportunities to practise the skills after the workshop. Even a simple reminder from a lecturer or a relevant assignment can help students apply what they have learned.
To find out more, don't heistate to contact Sarah Schmid sars@uio.no