When we learn and remember information we build new neuropathways in our brains. These pathways are strengthened when we chunk and clump information. In other words when we can see how the parts are interconnected and how they are different. Honing notes is a great way for our brains to process the information we are given in a new way. When we take notes in class or read a textbook the information is presented in a particular order. This is…
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…
You can check out an overview of the two steps note-taking process here. This post is a deeper dive into what lecture notes are and why they are valuable. First, I call them “get it down notes” because that is the main goal of taking notes in class. The main goal of these notes is to “get down” the main points of the lecture. This allows us to add context to the material that we need to master for class,…
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…
One of the best ways to fill gaps is to use your team. Most teachers are trying their best, but sometimes classes are poorly organized. Learning is a group activity. Like 0
Sometimes the best way to address the gaps is to build in study time. Students often need to use the materials in new ways. For example, students can hone their notes or collect information from their worksheets. Active learning can help students increase their test scores and be successful in most classes. Like 0
Sometimes students miss points on an exam because they do not understand what level of learning the teacher is expecting. Often students assume that teachers want a regurgitation of facts when they actually want a higher level of thinking. This video explains how understanding the correct level of learning can students study with less stress. Like 0
One of the best ways to fill gaps is to look at old tests. Old tests are amazing because they give you insights into what level the teacher is expecting. Students can then look back at their test prep to find what is missing or what they missed. Like 0
This video provides more details about how students and parents can start filling gaps. Sometimes filling these gaps can be tricky because resources are no longer contained in a single textbook. Because students may not have textbooks their learning materials can consist of websites, handouts, homework sheets, group discussions, and a myriad of other resources. Because students get so many materials they do not know what is important to keep and this can make studying for tests challenging. Like 0
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
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
3 Most Effective Learning Tips for Students Practice Retrieval It is the most powerful way to study. We have to practice getting information out of our brains. It often feels clunky and slow, but it will increase how long and how much of the information you can learn. Space out Retrieval Forgetting is part of the learning process. Your brain needs time to forget a little between study sessions. The length of these gaps depends on the material and how…
Be Active See learning as a lifelong quest. Use tests and assessments to gauge your travels but do not give up on the journey because you got a lower grade than expected. Use it to help you rethink your strategies and tools. Use strategies like retrieval practice, spacing, and interleaving as much as possible. Ideally start early in the semester. Don’t rely on what feels best, quiz yourself to make sure you know what you know. Step out of Your…
Do you feel stuck when you write in English class? Academic writing is centered around finding and analyzing themes. Themes help us talk about literature in conjunction with other literature because we can connect ideas and concepts. However, learning to do this can be very hard because it is abstract. Students can learn to do this type of analysis with something they know very well. Watch this video to see how you can use Harry Potter to improve your writing. …
Often students feel that they need to do all of their studying alone. Students who learn to study with others have a huge strategic advantage when taking tests, writing paper, and communicating in class. Studying in groups can help students fill missing information through retrieval practice and teaching. Group study sessions also help students feel less isolated, build in regular study time, and avoid procrastination. I will be creating a series of posts on how to have productive group study…
Do you ever feel lost about how to study? Sometimes learning feels like a black box. Students feel like they put a lot of effort into their school work, but don’t get the results that they want. Understanding how the brain learns can help students use their study time more effectively. The study cycle is made up of three parts 1- getting information into our brains (encoding) 2- practicing getting information out of our brains (retrieval) 3- learning the information…
Do you want to know how to take notes with less stress? Students are often not taught how to take notes that will help them study effectively. Note Taking helps students stay active during lectures or videos. It is very easy to zone out when others are talking. This template is a variation on the Cornell Note-taking method. My students often complain that notes feel very time-consuming and useless. I have found that this method allows students to take effective…