Active learning techniques are important for college success. They help reinforce new information so the brain does not discard it. These techniques include taking notes during lectures, asking questions, and forming study groups to discuss material. This allows students to synthesize information and retain it better than passive learning alone. Various note taking methods like outlining and mapping can help organize lecture content in a visual way to enhance memory.

1. Active Learning
A Key Component to College Success

2. What’s so important about active learning?
• The brain discards most new input unless that
information is actively reinforced.
• Active learning techniques shorten the time needed
to learn new material in the classroom and in texts.

3. Human Memory is Very Selective
 Informative is stored if it is “selected”
 The mind groups facts according to meaning or relationships
 The mind looks for patterns
 When a pattern is identified, we give it a name, e.g. “dog”

4. Aspects of Memory
• Recent memories are stored in the hippocampus
• Memory creation requires an anatomical restructuring of
the brain
1. Nerve cells grow and make connections to nearby receptors
2. Intensity of emotion connected to a
memory pushes the event or fact
into long-term memory

5. How Does This Pertain to College?
Students need to:
 Identify important information
 Find methods that enhance memory
 Use reinforcement techniques to retain
necessary information

6. How We Retain Information
We have 3 basic stages of memory
Sensory: lasts a few seconds, unlimited capacity
Short-term: information stored as sounds,
pictures, words; about 7 bits in length
Long-term memory

7. Sensory Memory
 Automatic
 Outside of cognitive control
 Decays quickly and cannot be restored

8. Short Term Memory
• More accurate term: working memory
• Temporary storage of information
• Where all active thinking occurs
• Frequently purges old or unnecessary
information

9. Short Term Memory
• Holds about 7 pieces of information at a time
• The amount we can remember can be increased by
“chunking” information
• As chunks become more complex, more data can be
stored in short term memory

10. Long term memory
• Virtually unlimited capacity
• Can hold information for decades
• Repository of permanent information

11. Moving New Information into Long Term Memory
Note Taking
 Practice active listening.
 Pay attention and maintain eye contact with the
speaker.
 Don’t permit people near you, objects outside the
window, noises, and other things to distract you.
 Listen for main points.
 Ask questions.
 Adopt a note-taking system that works for you.

12. The Outline Method
• Perhaps the most common method, the outline organizes text or lecture
material into main topics, sub-topics, and supporti9ng details using
indentations to make information visually accessible.
Example:
Main Topic
Sub-topic 1
Supporting Detail 1
Supporting Detail 2
Sub-topic 2
Supporting Detail 1

13. The Cornell Method
Main Ideas Details
Cornell notes Can be used to outline the course, chapter, or lecture
Place to organize main ideas and details
Can be as detailed as necessary
Sequential – chronological and orderly
Place to write a summary after class to clarify points and
reinforce what was learned
Excellent study tool
Define terms or explain concepts listed on the left side.
Identify the concept or term based on its definition on
the right side.
Shows “big picture” of the course, chapter, or lecture
Organized by main ideas and sub-topics

14. The Mapping Method
• Mapping is an alternative note taking format that involves graphic
representation of lecture content. It is an excellent method for visual
learners and may help students “see” lecture material more readily than
the traditional outline format.
ISSUES Political
Parties
U.S. Pres.
Elections
Voters
Media

15. Reading Texts – Survey First
When beginning a new textbook, look over the format
of the entire book. Determine:
• Book layout
• Print size
• Readability (easy or difficult language)
• Presence of pictures and graphs
• Resources (glossary, chapter summaries, chapter questions,
vocabulary lists
• Supplemental materials (websites, CDs, etc.)

16. Make Predictions
 Make connections between new
information and previous knowledge
 Predict what will come next
This strategy helps with information
retention!

17. Ask/Create Questions
 Reading can be a
passive activity.
 To make reading more
interactive, create
questions based on the
subject headings.
 Playing an active role
boosts retention of
information.

18. Monitor Reading Comprehension
 Summarize at the end of chapter
headings
 Take notes.
 Make notes in the margins.
 Recite information in your
own words.

19. Form Study Groups
• Study group interaction reinforces new information &
facilitates real learning.
• Active learning allows the brain to synthesize information and
retain it well.
• Sessions focus on students’ questions & concerns.
• Students gain control of their learning.

20. Use Techniques That Make Learning An Active Process
for Better Retention
• Active note taking
• Interactive reading strategies
• Study groups
• Awareness of learning styles

21. Using Active Learning Techniques
– Makes more efficient use of your time
– Helps you retain information better and long
– Makes academic success more attainable

22. This PowerPoint presentation is brought to you by
The Office for Academic Success
HACC, Harrisburg Campus
Whitaker 123
717-780-2483
LTBarr 2013