Student Success/Learning Strategies
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This lesson introduces learning strategies. In this lesson you will learn about the learning process, preparing for class, the importance of class attendance, and effective learning strategies.
Objectives and Skills
[edit | edit source]Objectives and skills for this lesson include:
- Define learning styles, and identify your preferred learning style(s)[1]
- Identify effective mental and physical strategies to prepare for an individual class session[2]
- Explain why regular class attendance class is important[3]
- Identify effective learning strategies[4]
- Differentiate between short-term and long-term memory, and describe the role of each in effective studying[5]
- Identify resources for applying active learning strategies to your studies, both in and out of the classroom[6]
Readings
[edit | edit source]- Lumen: College Success - The Learning Process
- Lumen: College Success - Class Preparation
- Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- Lumen: College Success - The Role of Memory
- Lumen: College Success - Active Learning
Multimedia
[edit | edit source]- YouTube: Front Flip progression - 1 Day
- YouTube: Discover Your Learning Style and Optimize Your Self Study
- YouTube: How to Balance School and Work: 5 Strategies for Academic Success
- YouTube: Effective Notetaking
- YouTube: "Studying Advice: Tips for College Students" StudentMentor.org's Student Video Blog Series
- YouTube: How To Use A Mind Map
- YouTube: Annotate it!
Activities
[edit | edit source]- Explore student services.
- Contact Student Success Services to learn about learning strategy resources.
- Contact the Tutoring Center to learn which classes have tutors available and what the process is for meeting with a tutor.
- Identify your preferred learning style(s).
- Review Lumen: College Success - Assignment: The Learning Process.
- Complete the VARK Questionnaire.
- Describe your preferred learning style(s) and how this will impact how you approach your studies.
- Update your weekly schedule.
- Review Lumen: College Success - Assignment: Class Preparation.
- Now that you have a better understanding of how much study time each of your courses will require, update your weekly schedule as necessary.
- Create a study guide.
- Review Lumen: College Success - Assignment: Class Attendance.
- Work with a team of classmates to create a Wikiversity study guide for one of your courses.
- Plan learning strategies.
- Review Lumen: College Success - Assignment: The Role of Memory.
- Consider your course schedule and any anticipated learning challenges this semester.
- Consider available resources, including study groups, success services, tutoring, and office hours.
- What learning strategies can you apply this semester to improve your success?
- Blog / Journal / Wiki
- Update your blog, journal, or wiki page summarizing your experience this week. Include a list of resources and links or contact information for each resource.
Lesson Summary
[edit | edit source]The Learning Process
[edit | edit source]Stages of the learning process include:[7]
- Unconscious incompetence - you don't know what you don't know
- Conscious incompetence - you know what you don't know
- Conscious competence - you know what you know
- Unconscious competence - you know it so well you don't have to think about it
Learning styles include:[8]
- Visual - see (images and multimedia)
- Auditory - hear
- Read/Write - see (words)
- Kinesthetic - do
Class Preparation
[edit | edit source]To prepare for class physically and mentally:[9]
- Eat healthy meals and snacks
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep
- Manage stress
- Talk to guidance counselors or instructors
- Understand class- and study-time ratios
- Start with fixed time commitments
- Consider your studying and homework habits
- Plan ahead
- Consider leisure time
Class Attendance
[edit | edit source]Class attendance enhances performance:[10]
- Class participation
- Class interaction
- Interaction with the instructor
- Increased learning
Getting the most out of class time involves listening effectively, engaging with the speaker and the material you hear in an active way.[11]
Effective participation strategies include:[12]
- Be a team player
- Share meaningful questions and comments
- Be prepared
Note-taking recommendations include:[13]
- Stay organized
- Use visual cues
- Group together similar concepts
- Make notes legible
Common teaching styles include:[14]
- Authority style
- Demonstrator style
- Facilitator style
- Delegator style
- Hybrid style
If you need to miss class:[15]
- Plan in advance
- Talk to fellow students
- Do the reading assignment(s) and any other homework
- Contact your instructor
The Role of Memory
[edit | edit source]Strategies for effective learning include:[16]
- Think about concepts rather than facts
- Take cues from your instructor
- Look for key terms
- Use summaries
To enhance memory:[17]
- Start reviewing new material immediately
- Study frequently for shorter periods of time
- Use repetition
Strategies to aid memory include:[18]
- Incorporate visuals
- Create mnemonics
- Get quality sleep
- Connect new information to old information
Active Learning
[edit | edit source]Activities that facilitate active engagement in the classroom include:[19]
- Class discussions
- Writing assignments
- Student-led teaching
Strategies for active learning on your own include:[20]
- Write in your books
- Annotate a text
- Create mind maps
When reading, focus on:[21]
- Context - big picture
- Audience - who
- Purpose - what
- Organization - how
- Tone - emotions
- Tools - support
- Thesis - main idea
Foster an attitude of intellectual curiosity.[22]
Key Terms
[edit | edit source]- multimodal learning
- Applying more than one learning style.[23]
See Also
[edit | edit source]- University of Iowa: Tips For Participating In Class Discussions
- Stetson University: 10 Memory Principles
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Lumen: College Success - The Learning Process
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Preparation
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - The Role of Memory
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Active Learning
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - The Learning Process
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - The Learning Process
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Preparation
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Class Attendance
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - The Role of Memory
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - The Role of Memory
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - The Role of Memory
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Active Engagement
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Active Engagement
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Active Engagement
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - Active Engagement
- ↑ Lumen: College Success - The Learning Process