1. Revision ideas, created with SmartArt.

2. Playing with Excel
This is not a real tech tip instruction file. I am just creating this to point you in the right direction. I hope that you will google some better instructions/explanations than I am providing here.
The basics are: create your list of revision ideas in PPT. (See next slide)
Then highlight the list, click on “Convert to SmartArt” and take it from there. You can waste hours getting it just right; it’s definitely more fun than marking student work.
Another good tip is to convert the SmartArt to Shapes, which gives you more control over the shape of the ‘Shape’.
Create your own list of revision tips and get creative!
PS: SmartArt is very useful for your daily PPTs too. Once you start exploring and playing with SmartArt, your PPTs will look and work much better.
I have exported the two final slides as a PDF and am giving them to my students and their parents during Parent Teacher interviews.
Have fun!
Ilja

3. Create a timeline using Mindjet MindManager
Watch a video about the French Revolution: bit.ly/youtubevcerevs
Explain a topic to a family member
Make a fact file for three key people
Redo some of the quizzes posted on Google Classroom
Read REAL history books, not textbooks (my office or online)
Create physical cue cards (get them at Officeworks)
Pick a contested topic and debate with a fellow student
Create a #booksnap of a good quote / interpretation using Snapchat
Rewatch videos on Edrolo
Pick two events and describe their significance to the Revolution
Complete one question on a previous exam paper.
Go through your textbook and complete source analyses we haven’t done in class
Reread a passage in your textbook and summarise it in 240 words.
Find a study buddy and explain topics to each other
Go for a walk and listen to a podcast:
Use Quizlet to create your own cue card set.
Create a glossary in Excel
With a study buddy, create a Kahoot each and take each other’s quiz
Swap notes with a friend (or notes online) and add to their notes.
Find a relevant text on AlphaHistory and create your own key points
Create a physical timeline on a wall in your home, using post-it notes.
Hang a washing line in your room and peg important events to it.
Create a Quizlet quiz out of these cue card sets:
Spend 15 minutes rereading your textbook every day.
Go on Coursera and re-watch Peter McPhee’s course.
Recreate your notes using a graphic organiser (bit.ly/graphorgans)
Create your own questions and interrogate yourself.
Note: This list of revision ideas is specifically for my VCE Revolutions class, French Rev. The ideas for the revision activities came from Karen Knight (
And some great one revision ideas here: The rest is from my brain.

4. Create a timeline using Mindjet MindManager
Watch a history video on my channel:
Explain a topic to a family member
Make a fact file for any three key people
Redo some of the quizzes posted on Google Classroom
Reorganise your notes using categories: social, political, economic, cultural factors
Read REAL history books, not textbooks (my office or online)
Create physical cue cards (get them at Officeworks)
Make 10 minute essay plans for past exam questions
Pick a contested topic and debate with a fellow student
Create a #booksnap of a good quote / interpretation using Snapchat
Pick two events and describe their significance to another event
Write an essay from a previous exam paper.
Go through your textbook and complete questions
Reread a passage in your textbook and summarise it in 240 words.
Go for a walk and listen to a relevant history podcast
Reorganise your notes using the P2 categories: rise, consolidation, maintenance of power, causes, effects etc.
Use Quizlet to create your own cue card set.
Create a glossary in Excel
Make a book out of your notes, use headings, publish it online.
With a fellow student, create a Kahoot each and take each other’s quiz
Swap notes with a friend (or notes online) and add to their notes.
Reorganise your notes using the IB Key Concepts: change, continuity, causation, consequence, significance, perspectives
Create a physical timeline on a wall in your home, using post-it notes.
Hang a washing line in your room and peg important events to it.
Create a Quizlet quiz out of relevant study sets:
Spend 15 minutes rereading your textbook every day.
Create an interactive google map so you understand the physical links of events
Recreate your notes using a graphic organiser (bit.ly/graphorgans)
Create your own questions and interrogate yourself.
Note: This list is specifically for my IB History class. The ideas for the revision activities came from Karen Knight (
And some great one revision ideas here: The rest is from my brain.

7. Playing around #1 Create a timeline using Mindjet MindManager
Watch a video about the French Revolution: bit.ly/youtubevcerevs
Explain a topic to a family member
Make a fact file for three key people
Redo some of the quizzes posted on Google Classroom
Read REAL history books, not textbooks (my office or online)
Create physical cue cards (get them at Officeworks)
Pick a contested topic and debate with a fellow student
Create a #booksnap of a good quote / interpretation using Snapchat
Rewatch videos on Edrolo
Pick two events and describe their significance to the Revolution
Complete one question on a previous exam paper.
Go through your textbook and complete source analyses we haven’t done in class
Reread a passage in your textbook and summarise it in 240 words.
Find a study buddy and explain topics to each other
Go for a walk and listen to a podcast:
Use Quizlet to create your own cue card set.
Create a glossary in Excel
With a study buddy, create a Kahoot each and take each other’s quiz
Swap notes with a friend (or notes online) and add to their notes.
Find a relevant text on AlphaHistory and create your own key points
Create a physical timeline on a wall in your home, using post-it notes.
Hang a washing line in your room and peg important events to it.
Create a Quizlet quiz out of these cue card sets:
Spend 15 minutes rereading your textbook every day.
Go on Coursera and re-watch Peter McPhee’s course.
Recreate your notes using a graphic organiser (bit.ly/graphorgans)
Create your own questions and interrogate yourself.
Playing around #1

8. Playing around # 2 Create a timeline using Mindjet MindManager
Watch a video about the French Revolution: bit.ly/youtubevcerevs
Explain a topic to a family member
Make a fact file for three key people
Redo some of the quizzes posted on Google Classroom
Read REAL history books, not textbooks (my office or online)
Create physical cue cards (get them at Officeworks)
Pick a contested topic and debate with a fellow student
Create a #booksnap of a good quote / interpretation using Snapchat
Rewatch videos on Edrolo
Pick two events and describe their significance to the Revolution
Complete one question on a previous exam paper.
Go through your textbook and complete source analyses we haven’t done in class
Reread a passage in your textbook and summarise it in 240 words.
Find a study buddy and explain topics to each other
Go for a walk and listen to a podcast:
Use Quizlet to create your own cue card set.
Create a glossary in Excel
With a study buddy, create a Kahoot each and take each other’s quiz
Swap notes with a friend (or notes online) and add to their notes.
Find a relevant text on AlphaHistory and create your own key points
Create a physical timeline on a wall in your home, using post-it notes.
Hang a washing line in your room and peg important events to it.
Create a Quizlet quiz out of these cue card sets:
Spend 15 minutes rereading your textbook every day.
Go on Coursera and re-watch Peter McPhee’s course.
Recreate your notes using a graphic organiser (bit.ly/graphorgans)
Create your own questions and interrogate yourself.
Playing around # 2
@vanweringh

9. Playing around # 3 Create a timeline using Mindjet MindManager
Watch a video about the French Revolution: bit.ly/youtubevcerevs
Explain a topic to a family member
Make a fact file for three key people
Redo some of the quizzes posted on Google Classroom
Read REAL history books, not textbooks (my office or online)
Create physical cue cards (get them at Officeworks)
Pick a contested topic and debate with a fellow student
Create a #booksnap of a good quote / interpretation using Snapchat
Rewatch videos on Edrolo
Pick two events and describe their significance to the Revolution
Complete one question on a previous exam paper.
Go through your textbook and complete source analyses we haven’t done in class
Reread a passage in your textbook and summarise it in 240 words.
Find a study buddy and explain topics to each other
Go for a walk and listen to a podcast:
Use Quizlet to create your own cue card set.
Create a glossary in Excel
With a study buddy, create a Kahoot each and take each other’s quiz
Swap notes with a friend (or notes online) and add to their notes.
Find a relevant text on AlphaHistory and create your own key points
Create a physical timeline on a wall in your home, using post-it notes.
Hang a washing line in your room and peg important events to it.
Create a Quizlet quiz out of these cue card sets:
Spend 15 minutes rereading your textbook every day.
Go on Coursera and re-watch Peter McPhee’s course.
Recreate your notes using a graphic organiser (bit.ly/graphorgans)
Create your own questions and interrogate yourself.
Playing around # 3

10. Every day, independent revision activities for IB History students
Create a timeline using Mindjet MindManager
Watch a relevant history video on my channel:
Explain a topic to a family member
Make a fact file for any three key people
Redo some of the quizzes posted on Google Classroom
Reorganise your notes using categories: social, political, economic, cultural factors
Read REAL history books, not textbooks (my office, any library or online)
Create physical cue cards (get them at Officeworks)
Make 10 minute essay plans using past exam questions
Pick a contested topic and debate with a fellow student
Create a #booksnap of a good quote / interpretation using Snapchat
Pick two events and describe their significance to another event
Write an essay under timed conditions, peer mark it
Go through a textbook and complete the questions
Reread a passage in a textbook and summarise it in 240 words.
Go for a walk and listen to a relevant history podcast
Reorganise your notes using P2 categories: rise, consolidation, maintenance of power, causes, effects etc.
Use Quizlet to create your own cue card set.
Create a glossary or timeline in Excel
Make a book out of your notes, use headings, publish it online.
With a fellow student, create a Kahoot each and take each other’s quiz
Swap notes with a fellow student (or find notes online) and add to their notes.
Reorganise your notes using the IB Key Concepts: change, continuity, causation, consequence, significance, perspectives
Create a physical timeline on a wall in your home, using post-it notes.
Hang a washing line in your room and peg important events to it.
Create a Quizlet quiz out of relevant study sets:
Spend 15 minutes rereading a textbook every day.
Create an interactive Google map so you understand the physical context of events
Recreate your notes using a graphic organiser (bit.ly/graphorgans)
Create your own quiz questions and interrogate yourself.
@vanweringh

11. Every day, independent revision activities for your studies of the French Revolution.
Create a timeline using Mindjet MindManager
Watch a video about the French Revolution: bit.ly/youtubevcerevs
Explain a topic to a family member
Make a fact file for three key people
Redo some of the quizzes posted on Google Classroom
Read REAL history books, not textbooks (my office, any library or online)
Create physical cue cards (get them at Officeworks)
Pick a contested topic and debate with a fellow student
Create a #booksnap of a good quote / interpretation using Snapchat
Rewatch videos on Edrolo
Pick two events and describe their significance to the Revolution
Complete one question on a previous exam paper.
Go through your textbook and complete source analyses we haven’t done in class
Reread a passage in your textbook and summarise it in 240 words.
Find a study buddy and explain topics to each other
Go for a walk and listen to a podcast:
Use Quizlet to create your own cue card set.
Create a glossary in Excel
With a study buddy, create a Kahoot each and take each other’s quiz
Swap notes with a friend (or notes online) and add to their notes.
Find a relevant text on AlphaHistory and create your own key points
Create a physical timeline on a wall in your home, using post-it notes.
Hang a washing line in your room and peg important events to it.
Create a Quizlet quiz out of these cue card sets:
Spend 15 minutes rereading your textbook every day.
Go on Coursera and re-watch Peter McPhee’s course.
Recreate your notes using a graphic organiser (bit.ly/graphorgans)
Create your own questions and interrogate yourself.
@vanweringh

12. Every day, independent revision activities for History students
Create a timeline using an online app
Watch a relevant history documentary on YouTube
Explain a topic to a family member
Make a fact file for any three key people
For rote learning names and dates, use this technique: Look, Cover, Write, Check
Reorganise your notes using categories: social, political, economic, cultural factors etc
Read REAL history books, not textbooks (teacher’s office, any library or online)
Create physical cue cards
Make 10 minute essay plans using past exam questions
Pick a contested topic and debate with a fellow student
Create a #booksnap of a good quote / interpretation using Snapchat
Pick two events and describe their significance to another event
Write an essay under timed conditions, peer mark it
Go through a textbook and complete the questions
Reread a passage in a textbook and summarise it in 240 words.
Go for a walk and listen to a relevant history podcast
Reorganise your notes using categories: rise, consolidation, maintenance of power, causes, effects etc.
Use Quizlet to create your own cue card set or autogenerate a quiz
Create a glossary or timeline in Excel
Make a book out of your notes, use headings, publish it online.
With a fellow student, create a Kahoot each and take each other’s quiz
Swap notes with a fellow student (or find notes online) and add to their notes.
Reorganise your notes using key concepts: change, continuity, causation, consequence, significance, perspectives
Create a physical timeline on a wall in your home, using post-it notes.
Hang a washing line in your room and peg important events to it.
Create a table of opposing historians’ views and interpretations
Spend 15 minutes rereading a textbook every day.
Create an interactive Google map so you understand the physical context of events
Reorganise your notes using a graphic organiser (bit.ly/graphorgans)
Create your own quiz questions and interrogate yourself.
@vanweringh