STDEV 109 Midterm

3 common themes to study skills

*Related to most study skills and tasks (time management, reading, note-taking, study and review) What - An understanding of the content of the material studied or the task being completed Why - looking at why the information is important you will begin to understand the relevance of the task or material How or where does it fit in - We must constantly look at the bigger picture and try to understand the relationships that exist in our tasks and the material in our coursework

5 steps of test prep model

1 - Define parameters (when and where, how many questions, what types of questions, amount of time needed, T.C. hours) 2 - Gather information (do you have the notes, are they good, what's missing, study groups or google doc, other resources like learning suite or text) 3 - define resources (who can assist me, who needs my help, labs/TAs/reviews) 4 - Identify problems (what problems do you face, how will you deal with them, who can help you) 5 - Ask for spiritual guidance

2 Points for short answer questions

1 - Get to the point 2 - answer specific question - teacher is usually looking for one specific thing

3 points fo Fill in the blank questions

1 - Memorize 2 - check for grammar and structure 3 - look for lues in the phrasing

6 Points for Multiple choice questions

1 - Strip/dump method 2 - Quantifiers (all) vs. qualifiers (except for) - restrictive 3 - examine question in detail 4 - re-state and re-read question 5 - strategies to increase focus 6 - examine alternatives individually

4 points for True/False

1 - clarify and re-clarify the statement 2 - look for double negatives 3 - look for quantifiers and qualifiers 4 - One false aspect makes it false

3 points to matching

1 - groups of info first - deal with the most difficult column first 2 - understand the instructions 3 - classify items - groups

2 obstacles for take-home tests

1 - honesty 2 - procrastination

3 common problems with essay questions

1 - not answering the question (pay attention to KEY WORDS!!! and understand layers, sections, structure of the question) 2 - Handwriting (also think before writing to reduce erasing and crossing out) 3 - No visual structure (outline all the pieces to answer the whole, visualize it, avoid crossing out)

4 points for Science and math problems

1 - write a brief plan for each complicated question 2 - Mind dump formulas 3 - don't assume that because you got and answer that it's the correct one 4 - step away if confusion exists

4 steps or guiding principles to note-taking

1 Notes are only a part of the learning process 2 the more active a student is, the more engaged they are in the learning process 3 most students can multi-task during a lecture 4 the student success model must be in place for this to work properly -

3 step study plan model

3 steps - each dedicated to a day - then drop the day's info - then pick it back up before the exam to refresh

page set-up and framework of note taking

3-ring binder, one sided pages, new page with new heading, dark ink or dark pencil, handwriting, paper size, typing vs. paper

student success model

ABILITY - competence, skills, having right tools - Skills such as reading, planning, and reviewing may be easy for the student to identify. Helping the student understand critical thinking methods, analysis, synthesis and evaluation represent higher levels of skill development MOTIVATION - desire, values, passions, setting goals - other passions can overcome desire to succeed in school PURPOSE - hoped-for outcomes, why in college and why doing tasks - different for different people - could be parents, good grades, occupations etc. - life-long learning can also be good as long as it isn't the only thing COMMITMENT - required follow through, examine root of failure, motivation that does NOT lead to commitment results in guilt, developing a support system can help with this, examine procrastination in the light of fear and pain

Journey of Lehi

Abilities: certain things that Lehi took with him, things he left behind but needed (now they might seem intimidating or you may have forgotten), things that broke (cramming and skim-reading no longer works), things he didn't know he needed that he created from scratch (learning how to study for college exams, to do lists and planning out projects), things the Lord gives without being asked for (use spiritual gifts!) Motivation: Lehi's journey tells us that desire is not always constant in our lives (what is my driving desire? What do I want out of the college experience? is my desire strong enough to see me through?) Purpose: Internal (strike to the very core of our values and powerful - what do you want from the University, what is driving you, how is your life going to be different), External (making parents proud, money and career, impressing others) Commitment: how do you find strength, what causes you to complain, how do you find support, how do you approach setbacks?

Three big problems for students

Attendance, procrastination, need for instant communication

2 types of testing problems

Content: student or teaching Process: student or teaching

Developing commitment

Develop collaboration and support (to keep them from distracting you), identify and avoid problems (ie distracting places or home, checking email, Include balance in the plan (if you plan and commit, you ca have time for a more well-rounded life without guilt)

Problems we can run into with taking notes

Doesn't match #s Missing title not just the item - write what the item means

Other tips about note-taking

Eliminate distractions and careful who you sit by, be prepared and on-time, attend class because getting notes from someone else isn't as good, be active thinker during note-taking, collaborate with other students, write everything down till you know how test are

Planning creates freedom because...

Frees you from constant decision making; frees you to change plans as long as you have commitment

the 3 steps to the 3 step study plan

Gather correct information (clean up notes, complete thoughts, fill in missing info), develop understanding of it (practice problems, recite information, create questions and outlines, re-write), recall/recognize/apply information (work problems without help or explanations, recite lists, practice outlining from memory, check details)

IRKE model and acronym names

I - Illustrate - main body - where your notes go R- inner-relate - right side - to dos, match text to lecture notes, self-help notes K - Kreate - Left side - write quizing questions for yourself, key words E - Evaluate - bottum - reflect confidence level with lesson

Focus

It is good - familiarity isn't because it clouds our thinking and gets in the way of cognition- it is the degree of concentration we pay to a subject

How to handle formulas and equations with taking notes

Label the steps explanation of the process steps for the equation the why of each step

Multiple modality learning

Learning is achieved at its deepest levels when various forms (modes/modalities) of interaction with the material are utilized. The writing of class notes, the oral reciting of material, discussing material with other students, reading text material, and developing learning tools (flash cards, questions, etc.) all represent varying modalities which may help the student gain a deeper understanding of the course material. - the IRKE model can help accomplish this

Distractsions - where

Level of distractions: Internal (thoughts, worry, fear, stress), External (internet, phone, ppl) Safety of study area: personal and property, safe-walk program, don't leave items hanging around Consistency: the routine of same place can help you recall information better

course assessment

Most of the time students just focus on faculty, time of day, and location. They should carefully consider preparedness, ability and desire and discuss with an advisor.Three matter to consider: Subject matter background: pre-requisite knowledge and experience needed to succeed in course. Functional Skills: activities a student must know how to do - such as library, research, physical, and computer skills Motivation and desire: the degree to which a student is willing to work and level of desire to succeed - if motivation is low, make sure to schedule in extra time and energy and build a stronger support network of peers and faculty

Are test question tricky?

Not usually if you know the material well and you focus

Purpose of notes

P - PART of a study plan - help students to inter-relate classroom, textbook, laboratory, and group study. The classroom notes will serve as a framework for an active learning approach based on MML (Multiple Modality Learning). U - increases understanding M - helps with memorization A - keeps you active in learning process - Appropriate rest, exercise, and nutrition will always be the foundation for staying alert and attentive in class. However, when interest and attention wane, some students will find the writing of notes to be an effective method of staying as alert as possible in the classroom

Cultural belief on how students attain success

P+I+E+S A new model is needed for students as well as advisors

Reasons for procrastination

Pain (finding activities that are less painful) and fear (assignments seem daunting and scared of failing)

When you get stuck (hit a wall)

Prioritize - like a job - is it worth it?

Distractions - when

Proximity - the early before tests, the better Amount of Time - different for different classes, so allocate, break up difficult tasks Energy level - study when you have the most energy rather than scheduling classes at those times

6 tips for taking notes

Repetition - be alert to what's repeated Introductory words - then it should direct me Board - writing on the board etc. Watch instructors eyes - if glance at outline or something Obvious clues - mark if it's going to be on the test Watch for instructor's interest level

2 parts to time management

Structure (planning, to dos, writing it all down) Committing (actually doing it)

Active learning

Students learn both passively and actively. Passive learning takes place when student take on the role of "receptacles of knowledge," that is, they do not directly participate in the learning process. . . . Active learning is more likely to take place when students are doing something besides listening. - the IRKE model can help with this process

IRKE Kreate

Study guide, questions, key terms (Multiple modality learning - Re-read, Re-write, Recite to self and others, Re-form by mapping and using other study outlines

if you were asked on an exam about the flag from the flag lecture, what type of testing problem would it be?

Teacher related content problem

Notes and student success model

The student success model must be in place for note-taking and using to work - ability is listening and recording competently, motivation is desire to take good notes and use them properly, purpose is understand why we take notes and how to use them, commitment is being dedicated to a good model of taking and using notes

IRKE Inter-Relate

To dos, Ways to enhance learning, identify questions, self-help to dos, match info in lecture to text

Always and Never

Usually wrong on a test

When checking grade out of testing center and there's a problem

always go back - choose "C"

snacks in testing center

are allowed - but don't be a distraction

the last step listed int eh test prep model, and perhaps the most important =

ask for spiritual guidance

Getting things done

committing, tools of time, go to class, designated study place, turn off the world and separate yourself from distracting people, quite having to make decisions, the 3 big problems

Where to pick seats in testing center

in front or on edge to diminish distractions

cramming

it's not the best - but better than nothing - some students can cram easily - some classes are easier to learn and memorize last minute

Notes are...

only a PART of a learning process - meaning that They are a means to an end and are not the end product of the classroom experience - must be valued by the student as a TOOL for the learning process.

secondary cognitive function

opposite of primary?

backing up =

planning an academic activity form due date back to the beginning of the task

handling distractions

power of concentration: choose what to focus on and elliminate other distractions set yourself apart from other things or ppl that distract you

IRKE - Evaluate

simple statement about how understanding and memorization are, confidence, if ready to move on to new material

IRKE Illustrate

summarize key points, abbreviations, outline, leave space for corrections and additions, use white space effectively, clean-up notes: Complete sentences and ideas when full content was not written, Make connections, expand and re-write

Principle of multi-tasking while note-taking

the IRKE Model may be able to help these students focus distracting energy, deal with it, and put it aside.

primary cognitive function

the information that draws our first and lasting focus - not necessarily the most important - can change the meaning in my mind

The more active a student is...

the more they will understand - The ideal classroom is an experience that accommodates various learning styles. This is best done through an ACTIVE methodology that encourages student interaction with the faculty member and participation in varying structured learning experiences.

3 tools of time

to do lists, weekly template, calendar and backing up major projects and tests

Multiple answers - 1 point

treat it like a multiple choice question and pray!

3 common themes in study skills

what? - understand content or task being completed) (Why? - relevance of task or material) Where does it fit in? - what is the relationship to the bigger picture (Time managing, reading, note-taking, study and review - this is where planning comes in)

2 philosophies

you need to start studying from the first day, you need to change to have different outcomes