How do you learn to ride a bike? Someone probably gave us some advice and then we practiced alone. We can learn to study in a very similar way. No one is born knowing how to study, or can at least everyone get better?The way he studied with which he was born? I need to learn a number of study techniques and follow some recommendations to better study and develop good learning habits, both to learn better and to optimize time.
Study techniques are fundamental tools for meaningful learning because they help us understand, retain and assimilate content, however, few students master them. Many choose to memorize at the last minute, which means that results are not always expected and forgetfulness will soon appear.
- The memory study does not guarantee very promising results.
- Fortunately there are many other more fun and dynamic study techniques that can improve our results and performance.
- Apply these recommendations to study better in your daily life to check it out.
Taking notes is one of the most common study techniques, it is about summarizing the highlights with our own words so that we can remember them more easily, most of the time the key is to be able to summarize the content in the most complete, but without omitting any key data. The other key to a good summary is that the relationship between the main concepts is well indicated.
Sometimes it is difficult to assimilate the theory of certain subjects, however the conduct of exercises and case studies can help us visualize the theory and assimilate knowledge in a simpler way, especially useful in subjects such as mathematics, physics, law and, in general, in all those that involve problems and / or numbers.
Therefore, it may be advisable to make case studies while studying the theory, in this way we will be able to better understand its application and what all these letters actually transmit to us.
Another technique to better study what we can do, in this case as a group, is brainstorming, which consists of a meeting of a group of people who are brainstorming on a particular topic, which can be especially useful during group work, in To consider different ideas and perspectives, however, it may also be useful to study for an examination to solve doubts and get to the bottom of the matter.
Many of these study techniques and recommendations for better study are not new, they are well known to students, however, the new thing is how we can put them into practice, so we recommend reading this article if you are pursuing a career. , a master’s degree or if you want to improve your learning processes.
“In times of change, those who are open to learning will take the future, while those who believe they know everything will be well equipped for a world that no longer exists. -Eric Hoffer-
Weinstein and Mayer (1986) identify five general types of learning strategies: repetition (repetition of terms); elaboration (paraphrase, summarize); organizational (summarizing a text); understanding (use of questions, questioning); (establish and maintain motivation).
The intellectual capacity we need to strengthen depends on the demands of the task, training actions such as memorization, processing, retention and transfer of information activate thought processes to solve problems.
Among the recommendations for better studying and strengthening our learning, the taxonomy developed by Palincsar and Brown (1984) offers the following suggestions:
According to a 2012 Brigham Young University study, published in The Eastern Economic Journal, the two most important strategies for strengthening our learning are hours of sleep and constant proof of what we learn. Hours of sleep and rest directly affect our performance.
Researchers say we need about 7 hours of sleep to get the best results from our learning; sleep promotes memory consolidation and learning; on the other hand, lack of sleep can damage the neural networks of the prefrontal cortex, making it difficult to assimilate. retain and consolidate information.
A 2011 survey published in the journal Science analyzed 3 commonly chosen methods to study: memorize and repeat, draw diagrams and diagrams, and do assessments and tests to see if you have learned.
To prove effectiveness, 200 students were followed, each divided into 3 groups, each with a different study method. Researchers have found that the most effective method is to evaluate what we have learned, improving the volume of our learning by up to 50%.
“We can learn faster and faster by taking conscious control of the learning process, expressing and analyzing our behavior. -Seymour Papert-
The classic method of study techniques consists of 5 phases
To improve these study techniques, we need to follow a number of steps, which are also part of the recommendations for further study:
Establishing and respecting a study schedule has a visible effect on the performance of the study, addressing learning in a disorganized way is a way to end up studying late at night, when sleep and tiredness affect our ability to concentrate, in addition, getting used to a schedule will allow us not to ignore our study time more easily and allow us to dedicate the time it deserves.
It may seem obvious, but it never minds to remember. Distractions can take the most unsuspected forms and it’s good to know how to identify them. Blacklist distractions include Facebook, Instagram, mobile phones and television, but we can include other items that we need to stay out of our study periods.
We need to create our own information in the texts, link it to episodes of our lives, reformulate it in our own words and use examples we know, in this way we will achieve the meaningful learning we need: more resistant to the passage of time than what is based on the memorization of data that does not make much sense.
If we have the opportunity, it is important to evaluate ourselves with tests or questionnaires on the topic we are studying. Can it seem like a waste of time if you think the time well spent can only be spent?information to study, but this is not true, as it will help us detect gaps and will be used to measure our progress.
If you apply these strategies and recommendations to better study, you will not only maximize the time you spend assimilating knowledge of any kind, but the learning you will get will be much more resistant to forgetfulness. It’s worth it!
“Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the principle of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. In research and learning, the whole miraculous process begins. -Jim Rohn-
references
Aguirre, J. F. , Viano, H. J. and Garcia, B. (2015). An experience to strengthen programming teaching processes by using virtual learning environments.
Vertex Publishing. (2008). Study techniques. Vertex Publishing
Palinscar, A. S. et Brown, A. L. (1984). Reciprocal teaching of activities of understanding, promoting and monitoring understanding Knowledge and instruction, 1 (2), 117-175.
Ramirez, M. (2001). Learning strategies. Epiphoros, 3, 113-132.
Grill, M. (1990). Study techniques for high school and university. Madrid: Alliance.
Weinstein, J. D. , Mayer, SM et Beale, S. I. (1986). Stimulation of aminolevulinic acid formation in algae extracts by heterological RNA. Plant Physiology, 82 (4), 1096-1101.