Reading notes - Ace that test
Today I've been looking at good learning advice and strategies. I read Ace that test, a book written by Learning Scientists. It's a really grate book, you should read it if you are in school. Or just learning.
I've taken some notes that could help other students. Those notes may help write a blog post or another material. I will of course test those strategies myself and with some friends.
Here are the notes I've taken.
Different times for different things
While learning there is 3 different times:
- Courses: Where you encounter learning material for the first time.
- Homework time: Where you complete assignment given.
- Studying time: Where your increase your understanding of course material independently.
Do not multitask
Multi-tasking does not exist. Switching between tasks make you perform badly in tasks. It also make you achieve tasks less rapidly.
Do one task at a time and limit distraction. It will make of perform better.
You cannot stay concentrated indefinitely. It's ok to be distracted at times. Don't hesitate to use technique like Pomodoro.
It's normal to have our mind to wander when we are happy and exited, or stressed and anxious. So let your mind wonder from time to time! It can help your learning to do so.
Metacognition
Metacognition is our ability to think about learning and make decisions about it. It help us determine what we know and what we don't. It's useful to be able to make choices. So that we priorities learning the material that we don't know.
But be careful because some activities affect our learning awareness. Some popular learning strategies make us overconfident in our learning awareness. That means that we stop learning too soon, when we are not yet ready. These popular learning strategies are often those who don't work.
Like for example re-reading and highlighting. Just because it's easier to read a learning material doesn't mean we know it. So avoid those strategies and to not be overconfident.
Learning strategies that work well makes us underconfident. But don't be discouraged, stick to those strategies. Like retrieval practice for example.
Wait a few minutes after learning before doing metacognition awareness. So the learning activities you did won't affect your awareness.
Spaced practice
Spaced practice is about planning your study sessions. Do not leave studying to the last minute (cramming)! Plan multiples smaller sessions over a longer period of time.
Planning more smaller sessions is important. It reduce the stress of cramming. It make you remember the material over the long run.
Use an expending learning schedule. Start with shorter breaks between study sessions for newer material. Increase the gap over time.