Strategies for Success in Earth Science Travis Ramage, Academic Advisor

Overview Identify your learning style(s) Discuss SQ4R (Reading Your Text) Learning from your peers – Discuss study strategies with your peers – Discuss test strategies with your peers Forming study groups

Learning Styles

Characteristics Active tend to retain and understand information best by doing something active with it-- discussing or applying it or explaining it to others "Let's try it out and see how it works." Reflective prefer to think about it quietly first "Let's think it through first."

Strategies Active – Study in a group – Predict what will be asked on the next exam Reflective – Review what you have read and think about possible questions or applications – Write short summaries of readings/notes

Characteristics Sensing tend to like learning facts like solving problems by well- established methods and dislike complications and surprises Intuitive prefer discovering possibilities and relationships like innovation and dislike repetition

Strategies Sensing – Ask for specific examples of concepts and procedures – Find out how the concepts apply in practice – Look in your text for applications or brainstorm with peers Intuitive – Ask for interpretations or theories that link the facts – Try to find connections yourself – Take time to read the entire question before you begin answering – Review your answers

Characteristics Visual remember best what they see-- pictures, diagrams, flow charts, time lines, films, and demonstrations Verbal get more out of words--written and spoken explanations

Strategies Visual – Find diagrams, charts, and pictures – Find video tapes of course material – Prepare a concept map of key points – Color code your notes Verbal – Write summaries or outlines of course material – Work in groups and discuss concepts

Characteristics Sequential tend to gain understanding in linear steps, with each step following logically from the previous one tend to follow logical stepwise paths in finding solutions Global tend to learn in large jumps, absorbing material almost randomly without seeing connections, and then suddenly "getting it." may be able to solve complex problems quickly or put things together in novel ways once they have grasped the big picture, but they may have difficulty explaining how they did it.

Strategies Sequential – Ask instructor to fill in skipped steps – Fill in steps yourself through using the text – Outline the lecture material when studying Global – Skim chapters before you read them – Study for longer periods of time on each subject – Relate topics to what you already know

Reading Your Text Applying SQ4R

Survey SURVEY the chapter – Headings/Subheadings – Visual materials – Marginal notes – Terminology/Special print – Chapter review

Question Develop QUESTIONS – Use Headings/subheadings – Use the following words: Which When What Why Where How Who

Read READ the chapter – Overview reading – Carefully read the chapter – Thoroughly read the chapter – Stop to concentrate/comprehend each paragraph

Record RECORD information – Take notes on important information – Use notes to review for quizzes / exams – Keeps you actively involved in the reading process

Recite RECITE your notes – Read notes out loud in your own words – Provides you immediate feedback about what you can recall accurately – Increases levels of concentration, participation, and comprehension of material

READ RECORD RECITE

Review REVIEW the material – Answer questions at the end of the chapter – Answer the QUESTIONS you developed – Study and recite from the notes you took in the RECORD step – Write your own summary for the chapter

…more reviewing – Personalize the information “How can this information be used?” “How does the lecture relate to what I just read?” “Why is this information important to learn?” – Create additional study tools Flash cards Study tapes Visual mappings – Work problems from the textbook

Learning from Your Peers

Identify a spokesperson Identify a note-taker List your group members Discuss Questions 1 – 4 Report back to the class

Learning from Your Peers – Part I 1.What are some of the study techniques or strategies that have helped you in the past? 2.What were some of the academic and/or personal challenges you faced last semester? 3.What services have you utilized on campus to assist you in being a successful student? 4.What new techniques or strategies did you learn today that would help you this semester?

Learning from Your Peers – Part II What strategies are you going to use before your next exam in this class? What strategies are you going to use after your next exam in this class?

Forming Study Groups

As a group, you will … Identify your purpose and goals Identify a group leader/facilitator Have full participation of all group members at each study session Build commitment and self-confidence of all group members

Strategies Work with each other to prepare for tests. Divide the readings among members of the study group and have each member provide summaries or outlines of the readings. Compare lecture notes to ensure accuracy and completeness.

…more strategies Share study strategies or ideas for organizing information. Have each member of the study group contribute completed study aids like flash cards, concept maps, or outlines for different chapters or major topics. Take turns teaching the material to other members of the study group.

..and more strategies Work together to compile a study guide for the test. Have each member make up practice test questions, which the group can answer together or use to quiz each other.

How Did I Address Your Learning Style(s)?

For more resources… Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at #5520 to find a tutor. Contact your instructor, Rick Polad.