Study Skills

This is a slim, but relatively inexpensive, variation on the "model answers" texts popular when students were encouraged to memorise and regurgitate large chunks of information in the exam. However, although similar in format ("student answers" to exam questions are marked and analysed), where "Do Brilliantly" scores is in the way Webb both pinpoints where marks can be lost / gained and suggests how answers could be improved. It covers the AQA AS Specifications (no Culture and Identity, for example) and has been written by a Chief Examiner, so he should know what's realistically required of students. Although not an essential purchase, this is a useful addition (for both teachers and students) to the "Study Skills" end of the market (those teachers who have never exam-marked might be surprised to find just how little students can write to answer some AS questions...).

This is the A2 version of "Do Brilliantly" which, again, is squarely aimed at students following the AQA Specifications. The format is much the same (okay, exactly the same - why change a winning formula?) as it's AS counterpart - example exam questions followed by a "student answer" and an annotated assessment by Rob Webb. Tips on "How to gain full marks" and "Key Facts" to remember for each topic are also included in the package. Overall, like it's AS counterpart, it's a useful resource if you want your students to practice the skills they will need to demonstrate in the exam. There is one small quibble, however. Each "student answer" is given a mark immediately after the answer, which makes it impossible to use for "peer marking" exercises  (something that's increasingly popular as a means of identifying skill domains).

Although based on the AEB syllabus (the book provides a range of structured questions  on Theory and Methods, Family, Education, Work and Stratification), it can be used on any syllabus that uses this type of question. It's packed with sample questions and, for each, it provides brief tips on how to interpret and answer them. It also provides pointers to the skills a student needs to demonstrate to fully answer each question. While some of the questions are very difficult and can't be easily used with students new to the subject, this remains one of (if not the) best books of its type in this important area.

The aim of this book is to demonstrate effective sociological communication in a student's written work and, to this end, it uses the technique of "standard essay-type answers" to sample questions across a range of syllabus areas. It also includes overviews of various perspectives (Functionalism, Marxism, etc.) that are used to frame themes such as deviance and gender. This, however, makes it sound more interesting and useful than it really is. No attempt is made to offer practical advice or guidance about how to organise or plan answers and any student struggling in these areas will not find answers - practical or otherwise - to their problems here.

This slim volume aims to help students develop skills of interpretation, application and evaluation through the use of data-response questions. It provides a range of materials on areas such as Family Life, Social Class, Politics, Deviance, etc. in a clear and accessible format and these are complimented by the constructive use of questions based on and around the materials. Within it's basic format (a way of introducing diverse sources and materials in bite-size chunks for easy digestion), this book works well and represents a useful classroom / homework resource.

This book is an attempt to deconstruct the various things the authors believe contribute to exam success (planning, personal organisation, study skills and so forth) and reconstruct them into a learning programme built around the idea of an exam "performance" - both in the literal sense of "succeeding" and the metaphorical sense that, when taking an A-level exam, you get one chance to give of your best and "get it right on the night". The simile itself is probably sound and useful, as are the advice, tips and techniques employed throughout the book (which are basically standard study skills stuff). What gives this book its value - and edge - is the way the authors have used the "performance" idea to structure a complete study skills programme, drawing together various fragments into a coherent learning programme that has, I think, real value for students and teachers.

This is a pack of photocopiable resources, (aimed at teachers for use by students), that includes students notes (things like advice on "Keeping a Sociology File"), activities (such a "Developing Evaluation Skills") and forms (such as a revision timetable). The pack contains some useful activities / predefined forms, but there's probably not a great deal here that's particularly new or different - just some fairly bog standard advice in a convenient (but expensive) form.