The main purpose of honing notes is to refine them and make them your own. There are many ways to hone your in class notes. Sometimes honing your notes makes them longer, sometimes it makes them shorter. They should NOT be a neater recopied version of the in-class notes. The key is to learn how you want to sharpen your notes in a variety of classes because not all classes are the same. Building intuition around in class and honed…
There is a lot of debate about the best way to take notes. There are some studies that show that paper note taking is better for long term retention than computer-based notes. I do not think that the conclusions of these studies are not as clear as suggested. But they do highlight some important points to consider when picking a note taking strategy. 1- Paper can be easier to draw on that most software. This is very helpful for classes…
Textbooks are often overlooked in discussions about note-taking. When students take notes from their textbooks they can practice extracting and summarizing key information before class. Taking notes while reading a textbook will add a few minutes to the reading time, but it also helps students retain information and allow them to make quizzable study tools without repeating work. As with lecture notes, students should summarize and not try to recopy the textbook. I teach students that when taking notes and…
For the next few weeks, I will be covering note-taking strategies and tips. Taking notes in class and from textbooks is a skill. And like most study skills, it is rarely modeled. This is unfortunate because notes are an invaluable resource for students, especially in college. Notes support the whole learning cycle, they can use for encoding and can be converted into quizzable study tool. Taking notes in class has historically helped students stay focused and attentive. As we move away from…
Teaching is a very challenging profession, but we need to realize that some classes do not work for some students. The cause of these gaps can be stylistic, lack of access to resources, unclear lectures, or a combination of many interconnected issues. The solution is to figure out how to learn the material in the class independently. This is often hard for students because of the expectation in middle and high school is that learning will be directed by an…
During one of my high school classes, a student came up with a new way to draw the Learning Cycle. I thought that his modification about visualizing the information flow was very clever. The video below illustrates his creative change. Like 0
Many students are reluctant to quiz themselves because it feels daunting. In this video, I help students see how practicing getting things out of the brains can help them study faster by reducing the number of things in their basket. This can help students go through the Learning Cycle easier and faster. Like 0
Check out the learning levels introduction video before watching this video. Understanding learning levels can help us prepare for exams. Because we do not teach study skills most students assume that most tests about remembering facts. While students do need to know basic facts their tests are often asking them to master the material at a higher level. Watch the video to see how understanding learning levels can help increase your tests scores. Like 0
Do you know when you are ready to take a test? When I ask my students this question most of them look at me like I am crazy. This is a complex question because it requires us to think about our own thinking. This type of thinking is called “metacognition” and it is an important skill. Individuals who can assess their own thinking have a strategic advantage in school and life. Watch the video to see how being able to…
Have you ever studied for a test and then there was more information on the test? It is very frustrating when we study for exams, but we do not study the right information. Knowing what is on your test by collecting all your resources is the foundational step in the learning cycle. It is often overshadowed by the explanation of getting information in and out of our brains. Watch this short video about filling your basket of knowledge and skills. Like…
When making a study plan do not use the word “study” or “studying” because these words are so general. It is very easy to stick “study Spanish” into our planners. But what will we actually do to learn Spanish better? Watch the video to learn how using descriptive words can help you study faster with less stress. Like 0
While most of us lean towards procrastination there is a subset of the population who are pre-crastinators. These individuals feel a deep desire to finish their work as quickly as possible. For more background information please see this video on the differences between pre-crastination and procrastination. Because pre-crastinators need to finish their work they are willing to start immediately but often rush through their work they need a different type of work routine. Watch the video below to see a cleaver way pre-crastinators can use…
Do you ever feel like you are studying for tests and doing all of your homework but not getting the scores that you want? This is an incredibly frustrating situation and often the advice is to “study harder” or to “study longer” but these approaches do not always work. Watch the video below to explore why some classes are harder to study for and what you can do about it. Like 0
Do you ever get stuck on a math or science problem? Do you want to get it done quickly and accurately? In these situations, it can be so frustrating to know how to get help. One of the best resources I have found is Harvey Mudd College’s Free Homework Hotline. This hotline is free and helps students in 4th -12th grades. Watch the video to find out how the homework hotlines can help you get your work done faster with less…
Self-Testing is a very powerful study strategy. Students need fast and quick ways to quiz themselves. Students can often use materials they already have from class to make quizzable study guides. Watch this video to see three of my favorite quick quizzable study tool ideas. Link to the Red and Green Pen Set Like 0
Do you ever study for a test and you do not score well? We often focus on how to get information into our brains, rarely talk about how getting information out of our brains. Getting information out of our brains is important because what tests measure is how well we can get information out of our brains. This gap is puzzling because we have over 200 years or research that demonstrates the positive impact of self-testing. This study method can…
Do you feel overwhelmed studying for the SAT? There is a lot of contradictory advice floating around. Paying for books or tutoring can also get expensive, and there is often no evidence they can fill exact gaps or increase scores. With all that students need to do in high school, they need to know that the time they are using to study is effective. I suggest that students use Khan Academy’s FREE SAT platform to study for their exams. Using…
Reflection Often learning feels so dry that students stop thinking about their learning as soon as they leave a class. But studies have shown that being able to reflect on and process the information they get each day and connect all the ideas that they are learning. The best way I have found to help students do this is to use a Graphic Organizer. Cramming is Not the Answer We have these firm beliefs that studying with the single-minded focus…
Do you feel stressed when your teacher announces a test? Do you have a hard time figuring out how to use your worksheets, textbooks, online activities, and class notes? Graphic Organizers are a great way for students to organize all of the information they get from each class. This general format students can use to help them organize their materials in any class or subject. Graphic Organizers help students take materials that are given or assigned to them and allow…
Taking useful science reading notes can drastically improve a student’s achievement. Doing well in science class requires students to understand interconnected concepts, formulas, vocabulary, and applications. This template helps students connect these critical parts and master their material with less stress. This template is designed to support students use cognitive science-based learning strategies. Students will learn how to summarize concepts, incorporate images, form insightful questions, and create real connections. It helps students avoid common time-consuming study methods such as re-read…