A Student Mind: New Dimensions in Learning

The Menu: Tools, Techniques and Ideas Multi-dimensional Learning Study Method Concept-Mapping Phrase Reading and Exercises Mind-Mapping

What Dimensions do you now use to study/learn? How do you use: Space? Time? Distance? Depth? Color? Feel?

The Memory Quiz

Memory: How about this? *Why did that make a difference?

Memory: Or This? *Why did that make a difference, too? Lunch in New York DateTimeAddressPhone

What if you added… Color Shape

Concept-Mapping: Visual, Spatial and Hierarchical dimensions Theme Main Idea Support

Mind-Mapping: Radiant Thinking, Color, Space and Creativity

Keys To Reading Well and Deeply Context > Without Context there is no MEANING. So the corollary: if you are confused, look for more CONTEXT! Exposure and Digestion --> Small meals, throughout the day. Snack when you can. Articulation ---> Synthesis. Unless YOU say what you know, there is no new neurological pathway to expand!

Start by PRE-READING: Your first exposure to the material We’re looking at and gathering information to establish an understanding of the CONTEXT We’re CREATING INTEREST We’re BUDGETING TIME (if we’re being efficient with our work..)

Next We Actively Read: And Do Our Work in Digestible Chunks Be clear about what kinds of notes you’re taking: –Structural Notes --> show hierarchy of material and are crucial for ‘scaffolding’ memory –Conceptual Notes --> force us to ARTICULATE and synthesize material. Facilitated digestion. –Critical Notes --> links material to everything else we know

Guidelines for Notes: The Way we REPRESENT information on the page is the Way we THINK about it. Your notes will be the KEYS to and MAPS of your MEMORY.

Review: Tighten your Grip on your Material -- EVERYTIME! Are your Concept-maps clear? Copy/Neaten Concept Maps Re-PRE-READ, and survey as a final exposure Are your notes complete? Add details and structural clues if you need Review Questions, etc

Mind-Mapping: Introduction to Radiant Thinking and Learning

Summary of the Mind-Map Laws: Use EMPHASIS --> -Use a central image -Use dimension in images -Use synaesthesia (blending of senses) -Vary printing size -- make it VISUAL and SPATIAL Use Association --> - Use arrows and notations when you want to make connections within and across branches - Use colors and codes - Develop your own personal style

Some Example Mind-Maps:

From an 8th Grade Physics Student:

Phrase Reading: A More Efficient and Effective Way to Read I left Will in the bedroom and stood on the verandah. The mist had thinned to show a faint, diffused cold light coming from a sky half-obscured by the grey blocks they call buildings in this city. Paul was standing a few paces off looking at me. I would rather have had him a few paces even farther away, though.

Major Reading Difficulties: Backtracking --> Going back over material because you missed the point the first time around Fixation --> Going over a word or a phrase multiple times -- while the mind is in a loop

2 Exercises to shift the HABIT of ATTENTION when you read: Clustering --> An eye exercise that takes about 10 minutes/day. Done with a pen and a light-reading novel. Reading Sprints --> A Reading Drill to be done anytime you want a turbo-boost to your reading level

The same passage, Clustered:

Clustering: Circle and Dot

Clustering: Slashes and Dots

Clustering: Just Dots

Reading Sprints: Bringing Fluency and Movement to Reading 1.Read for ____ Minutes - Count the # of pages you just read - Note your comprehension 2.Moving on, Read for 1/2 that time - You MUST READ the SAME # of PAGES - How was your comprehension? 3. Moving on, Read for 1/4 your original time 4. Moving on, Read for ____ Minutes again - How many pages did you read THIS time? - How was your comprehension?