Blogger #6 Villton Chen Period 2 11/19/21

Aim: How will the implications of the ‘Study Habits’ article impact my future study habits?

We started off Class with a couple of questions regarding exams and sharing the responses with our groups. After discussing for a couple of minutes it was time for a whole class discussion. A big problem that everyone had with studying was procrastination and being kept focused. 

1) What type of difficulties/challenges have you faced when studying 

2)Why do you believe you might suffer from these issues?

3)How did you feel if you had more than one exam scheduled for the same day?

4)How did you tackle the preparation for the exam(s) (methods you implemented)? 

Were these methods successful?

After the whole class discussion we were to read a passage on how some of the current study habits are actually not effective.

“Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits” [3 pgs]

Annotate While Reading

After reading the passage we were to answer 10 questions on the passage with our teams 

1. According to the article, it claims that there are many educational theories as a result of “sketchy education research.”  Explain what you believe is meant by the term, and how does it account for the current existing theories? Sketchy education purpose can be described as a process which is not proven. This accounts for current existing theories like staying in a quiet place with no distractions. Sketchy education purpose can be described as a process which is not proven. This accounts for current existing theories like staying in a quiet place with no distractions which is  untrue  

2. The author discusses the practice of “sticking to one location…” and offers alternatives.  How does he proceed to criticize schools as a result of current practice? The article says that staying in the same location is not beneficial as there are many distractions.

3. How have the researchers negated the idea/notion behind specific learning styles? What led them to their conclusion? They are not able to follow the same learning styles as people have different fundamentals and abilities. 

4. Explain the inaccurate advice on study habits, compared to the 1978 experiment.  What’s the “learning message” we should glean from their findings? It disapproves of the idea of studying in quiet and isolated places. The message is that different people learn in different ways. 

5. How does variety play into being more conducive (beneficial) for your brain? If studying different topics and at different times it could be more conducive to the brain as it helps you remember.

6. Why did students who studied “mixed sets” outperform those who hadn’t? Students who do mixed sets are able to apply their learning but if they are doing the same question they aren't learning as they already know what to do.

7. Explain the major problem “cramming” holds and its pitfalls. Cramming information makes it so that you remember it for the short term but you will forget it long term.

8. What does the author mean by the term, “neural suitcase?” A neural suitcase is one that you remember longer and more carefully.

9. According to the article, how do they advise you to gain better retention of information? According to the article it advises us that in order to gain a better retention of information, we should alternate our position in the room and study more than one topic/single thing. 

10. Why does Dr. Kornell suggests that forgetting is beneficial, and how does this correlate (connect) to tests and quizzes being beneficial to your learning? Dr.Kornell suggests that forgetting is beneficial as it allows you to relearn and do it effectively. This correlates to tests and quizzes as after them we typically forget the information. 

After answering and discussing the passage questions Ms.Peterson shared some of her study techniques. These techniques include sorting your notes into 3 sections. 

1)Information I know really well

2)Information I kind of know 

3)Information I dont at all or very little 

Then begin by reviewing the notes in sections 2 so that eventually it can become a part of Information that I know really well. 

Once you think that you have learned what you can from section 2 you move on to section 3. 

An additional video to provide a even better understanding of the topic 

Study Techniques - The Good, Bad, & Useless

Reflection:

What did I learn? I learned that some of the current study techniques/beliefs aren’t effective/false as they are thought to be. For example, a common belief is that staying in a single location is more effective for studying than moving to more than one location. But studies show that those who study in more than one location improve retention. I also learned some studying techniques that are beneficial like instead of solely focusing on a single thing, studying more than one topic also improves retention. Another interesting fact that I learned is that your surroundings when studying have a big impact because the brain makes associations with your surroundings. 

Why did I learn it? I learned the reality of current and used studying techniques that aren’t as effective as they are thought to be and better studying techniques so that I can apply this new knowledge into my studying. After this lesson, I now know what studying techniques I shouldn’t use and some techniques that I should start using. For example, now rather than focusing on studying one thing, I will study more than one topic as it will improve my retention. I will also from now on study in a place/room where there is an outside background because the brain makes subtle associations between what it is studying and the background. A 1978 experiment in which 2 groups of college students who studied the same vocabulary list were put in two different locations. One in which was windowless and cluttered and the other modern and with a view of the courtyard. After studying the vocabulary they were to do a test and the group of college students who were seated by the courtyard did far better on the test. 

How will I use what I learned? I will use what I learned from this lesson and incorporate it into the way I study. From now on I will no longer stick to one location and instead alternate my location around the room from time to time because alternating your position improves your retention. I will also be using Ms.Peterson’s strategy of separating my notes into 3 different sections and studying those sections that I haven’t thoroughly understood yet. I will also be cautious of the environment that I am studying in as the brain makes subtle associations between what I am studying and the background.