Strategic Learning: A Holistic Approach to Studying

Most "how to learn" books focus only on study techniques. However, knowing these study techniques doesn't guarantee they will be successfully implemented. Based on Professor Kamei's popular undergraduate course at the National University of Singapore, the author shares his unique perspective as an educator and physician to provide a strategic approach to learning that will benefit all students looking to optimize their learning. His extensive experience with helping students with their studies has identified a wide variety of reasons why they were not learning properly. What throws many learners off is that they hold certain myths that result in poor study habits. Learners who understand the truth behind these myths can use this knowledge to better plan their study and have an advantage over others that don't. Furthermore, modifying your study methods won't make much difference if you are too sleepy to learn or lack the motivation and self-discipline to pick up a book. These foundational aspects of learning also need to be solidly in place. This book takes learners through the author's holistic method to help students learn better and meet whatever learning challenges they face. Learners of all ages who wish to optimize their learning will benefit from this book, as well as educators seeking an approach to help their students learn better.

Robert K Kamei is a Professor, National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, and a tenured faculty member at Duke University. He was Associate Provost (Education) at NUS from July 2016 to 2019. He served from 2006 to 2016 as the founding Vice-Dean (Education) at Duke-NUS Medical School, a collaboration between Duke University and the National University of Singapore (NUS). In that role, he led the development of a new pedagogical approach that served as a model for curriculum change at Duke University Medical School, USA, and other schools in Singapore and worldwide, such as the Lee Kong Chiang School of Medicine, Singapore.

A paediatrician by training, his career has been devoted to medical education and the learning sciences. At the University of California, San Francisco, he directed one of the largest paediatric training programs in the United States (1989–2006). During that time, he also co-edited the popular reference textbook, Fundamentals of Pediatrics, with Dr Abraham Rudolph.

Professor Kamei holds an undergraduate degree from Stanford University and a medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He completed his paediatric training at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2000, he served as a United States Fulbright Senior Scholar in Indonesia. In 2014 he was the recipient of the Outstanding Educator in Residence Award given by the Singapore Ministry of Education. He is a third-generation Japanese-American and has two children; his son is a venture capitalist in New York, and his daughter is a university student in British Columbia, Canada.