Blog entry by John Kenny
Traditional study habits are gradually losing their significance, being replaced by more advanced and efficient habits. Key elements promoting the development of good study habits include understanding over memorization, active engagement and regular reiteration of study material, and diversifying study environments and methods. It also includes establishing contextual relations among concepts and interleaving various topics during a study session.
Secondly, implementing technology was immensely beneficial. Apps like Quizlet helped Jason transform text-heavy subjects into visual flashcards and quizzes, enabling quicker recall. Using Khan Academy's instructional videos, Jason had a visual understanding of complicated topics that were challenging to grasp through textbooks alone.
The third step involves monitoring progress and providing personalised support. The online platform enables the tracking of each student's activities, making it easier for educators to keep tabs on their progress, identify weak areas and provide customised support.
These critical thinking exercises have proven particularly beneficial for comprehending complex texts. Whether a science journal, classic literature or an opinion piece in a newspaper, these strategies help navigate their complexities by fostering an analysis-driven approach. Further, they equip students with the skills to discern, question, and decipher the blizzard of information they encounter daily.
Firstly, in-person interaction remains an essential part of this strategy. In conventional settings, teachers can observe children closely, spot any complex learning problems and address them promptly, offering immediate feedback and making adjustments to learning methods accordingly.
The enhancement in Jason's performance was remarkable following these changes. His grades significantly improved, going from a C-average to mostly A's and B's. Subjects, such as history, which he previously struggled with due to the intense textual study, had become more enjoyable as he learned to convert timelines into diagrams for easier memorization.
Recent studies have challenged the deep-seated belief that cramming is an effective study technique. Scientists argue that although cramming might help remember information in the short term, retaining that information for longer periods or using it practically is highly unlikely. Conversely, ‘spacing’, a study habit of breaking study time into various sessions across several days and weeks, has been shown to significantly boost long-term retention and application of knowledge. This approach also instills a discipline and routine conducive for continued learning.
Jason, a confident 15-year-old, always showed a strong inclination towards visual elements - diagrams, pictures, graphs. Traditionally, he struggled with textual sources and generally performed poorly on conventional testing methods. Recognizing these challenges, his parents turned to an educational psychologist for advice. The expert confirmed Jason as a visual learner, suggesting alterations to his study methods to leverage this learning style.
Firstly, planning and preparation are key determinants in managing test anxiety. Encouraging your child to start studying and revising well in advance of the exam can help prevent the last-minute scramble which increases stress. Teach them to break down study materials into manageable sections and revisit these sections regularly, reinforcing their understanding and memory of the content. Then, making use of revision techniques like summarizing notes, highlighting key points, practicing test papers can be beneficial.
Persuasive writing, an integral part of the curriculum for middle school students, aims to develop their critical thinking and debating abilities. Given the importance of this skill, an array of persuasive writing prompts has been exclusively designed that meets the intellectual level and interests of middle scholars.
The first goal was to substitute the intensive reading practices with more visualization tools where possible. Fortunately, Jason already had an artistic inclination he could leverage. His new approach combined taking class notes using mind maps, diagrams, and color coding rather than writing out information verbatim. This technique, coupled with frequent review, allowed him to retain more information and increased his attention span during studying.
However, transforming study habits wasn't a smooth process for Jason. Initially, he found it tough to adopt new techniques such as mind mapping or converting textbook data into visual graphs. It took him time to become comfortable with these new methods. But with patience and consistent practice, these habits gradually became second nature to him.
A significant aspect of these prompts is that they help students understand the essence of persuasive writing - to adeptly use a combination of evidence and logical reasoning, coupled with a balanced splash of emotive language, to convey their viewpoint persuasively.