Facilitating Learning

John O'Connell has a dedicated drive to improve student learning and has been an avid advocate of the McMaster Problem Solving (MPS) program. This program consists of a four-course series of about 35 workshops to develop “soft” or process skills. In this paper, the focus is on one such workshop, MPS 12, “Improving Learning”. This unit is designed to empower students with skill in learning. Details include the design of the workshop, a list of the target behaviours, learning objectives, methods of breaking the task into small units, giving students a chance to try the skill and receive feedback. Self assessment is used throughout. The workshop is designed to build the skill, bridge its application to other activities and extend its application in everyday activities.