2. The Learning Process
People tend to learn something totally new by first getting the general idea in their
minds and then filling in the details.
Here are some learning and memory techniques
that will help with the process.
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2
4. Outline
An outline of a topic gives people a framework on which they
can add details to get a picture of what they are learning
Scenes in movies and
TV often show a long
shot before they zoom
into the close ups.
If you ask someone to draw
a house, they will usually
draw the walls and roof
before they fill in details like
doors and windows
Textbooks, articles
and essays usually
start with an
introductory overview
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5. Outline
When reading, writing, explaining and in exams, order your
information from the general to the detailed
When researching a new topic:
Dictionaries,
Encyclopedias
(if needed)
Text Books
Specialised
Books
Journal Articles
When reading academic writing:
Look at all
the headings,
subheadings
Look at all
the pictures
and captions
Read the first
and last
paragraphs
Read first
sentence of
each
paragraph
Read the
w hole text
When structuring assignments and answers to exam questions:
IntroductionBodyConclusion
gives thesisparagraphsrepeats the
and overviewgive detailsoverview
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6. Divide
Make study tasks more manageable by dividing them up into a
series of smaller tasks
How do you eat something the
size of an elephant?
One bite at a time.
Divide your study
time into chunks
of about 50
minutes and take
a break every
hour.
Break up your
assignment into
smaller tasks and
focus on each
task one at a time
Focus on one
paragraph at a
time when writing
your assignments
Don’t try to
read every-
thing at one
time. Break
up your
reading into
articles or
chapters or
even parts
of these
Effective Learning Strategies
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7. Vary
People are more alert to changes in their environment and
tend to lose concentration when things remain the same.
We often only become aware a
cricket is chirping when it stops
The human brain is more
able to pick up variations
between things than be
able to judge if something
is right without comparing.
Many people can’t judge if two
shades of pink are the same
until they try them on together Lines that are crooked become
apparent only when seen in
comparison with other lines
7
Effective Learning Strategies
8. Vary
We can concentrate better if we vary our study tasks regularly.
Change study tasks every hour or so. Alternate tasks that require
intense concentration with more routine tasks. Intersperse study with
physical and leisure activities.
Reading
Thinking
Relaxing
Writing Notes
Finding
Resources
Having
Coffee
Organising
Files
Writing Exercising
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9. Incubate
We learn more if we give our brains time to process
The solution to a problem
often appears if you
leave it and focus on
something else.
Leave your assignment
draft overnight. You will
see corrections you did
not notice before
If you have a reading that is
difficult to follow, reread it
the next day. It will be
clearer then.
It is the same with maths
problems.
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10. Revise
The more we revise the more we remember
Review your lecture
notes on the same day or
the day following the
lecture. Summarise your
lecture notes for each
week. Reread these
throughout semester.
Make notes on your
readings. Reread the
notes a week later and
again before exams.
Use the little bits of time on the bus,
between lectures or waiting for
someone, to quickly review one set
of notes.
10
Effective Learning Strategies
11. Engage
Learning involves attention and concentration
Don’t just read – do something
with the information
Study Actively
U
Underline
Rewrite
Highlight
Map
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11
12. Learning Strategies
These strategies work
together. For example:
Incubation occurs
when you vary your
tasks
Revising is easier if
you divide it up into
manageable chunks
Engagement is easier
in short bursts. Divide
tasks and vary between
concentrated and routine
tasks
Divide
Outline Vary
Engage Incubate
Revise
Effective Learning Strategies
12
13. Reference List (in order of appearance)
PAGES 1-7
mobilevirgin, 'Zebras', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mobilevirgin/316570798/, ed, 2006, zebras.
Patrick Mayon, 'silhouette', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrickmayon/304585873/, ed, 2006,silhouette of bird flying
TheLizardQueen,'Big 5 -Elephant', In:http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizard_queen/114587853/, ed, 2006, elephant in thewild
Laszlo Ilyes, 'Variety~', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laszlo-photo/3943097052/, ed, 2009, piles ofspices
gdiproductions, 'LeastTern chick with Egg', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44554458@N07/4097442408/, ed, 2009, chick with
egg on beach surrounded by shells
JoongDal, 'R2 meets repeating flash', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joongdal/3297797667/, ed,2009, multiplephotos of R2D2
figure.
WindellOskay,'Magnet Toys -1', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskay/197915236/, ed, 2006,magnet construction toy
Johnson Cameraface,'S104text books', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54459164@N00/2812340882/, ed, 2008.
Julian Robinson,'theLoneliness of theLong distanceCyclist', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/2460263055/, ed, 2008,
long road withcyclistin the distance
daybeezho, 'That's the timeI love thebest', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daybeezho/3219180710/, ed, 2009, colouredclock
face w/romannumerals.
Pablo, 'Nevermore!' In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordferguson/1561320157/, ed, 2007,Pencil,calculator, notes,highlighter,
pen.
Wim Mulder,'Writing to reach you', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wimmulder/15653748/, ed,2005, holding a pen.
Leo Reynolds, 'pileof books ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/4077733692/, ed,2009, pileofbooks
kenjonbro,'Cricket (Leptophyes Punctatissima)', In:http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenjonbro/2787428116/, ed,2008,closeup ofa
cricket
JackknifeBarlow, 'Headshot(Age 18)', In:http://www.flickr.com/photos/stringbot/2717641594/, ed,2008, Manin clashing shirt and
tie
woupa02, 'The Crooked House ', http://www.flickr.com/photos/10727183@N07/2459389505/, 2008, littlehouse built crookedly
Effective Learning Strategies
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14. Reference List (in order of appearance)
PAGES 8-12
Kaitlyn, 'Day 178 - 7-26-09', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaitastrophic/3760236898/, ed, 2009, A student reads a book lying in bed.
Elsie Escobar, 'supported legs up on the wall pose', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/everydayelsie/406504707/, ed, 2007, person in inverted
yoga pose.
Brian Hillegas, 'Close up of The Thinker ', In: 502255276_49925090d6_o.jpg, ed, 2007, Head and shoulders of Rodin's The Thinker
'student1', In: http://www.registry.ed.ac.uk/Fees/images/student1.JPG, ed, student using a computer.
Ahmed Rabea, 'Love Coffee', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahmedrabea/274197870/, ed, 2006, A cup of coffee with heart of foam.
Esther Simpson, 'files', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/estherase/52172823/, ed, 2005, pile of coloured manila folders.
Andrew Spratley, 'Rugby', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aspratley/3487469138/, ed, 2009, Two men in a rugby tackle.
Juan Manuel, 'He has no choice', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaunis/2524135545/, ed, 2008, A man with his back turned, clasping his head.
Nic McPhee, 'Editing a paper - 27', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nics_events/2349631689/, ed, 2008, Fountain pen on edited page
'Student 20reading', In: Student%20reading.jpg, ed, student reading in library see through shelves.
hexodus, 'Civil Procedure Exam about to be Sent to Hell', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dsnet/4184876015/, ed, 2009, Law books sitting on
pages of notes
QUT, 'Reviewing', In: reviewing.jpg, ed, 2009, A graph showing percentage remembered over time with or without review.
Anders Sandberg, 'Threat refuted', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arenamontanus/2581472438/, ed, 2008, lecturer addresses class with
whiteboard.
H_is_for_Home, 'Vintage purple 1970s twin bell Westclox alarm clock', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/h_is_for_home/2460111952/, ed, 2008,
A purple alarm clock.
Michael, 'Hypergeometric', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pictoral/2377836517/, ed, 2008, Student studying his notes.
Karin Dalziel, 'Can't erase the highlighting in Zotero', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/772741433/, ed, 2007, Screen capture of highlighted
text.
dplastino, 'WU MING - Mind Map', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marea/4035666628/, ed, 2009, A multi-coloured concept map.
Nick Aldwin, 'Tools of Evil', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninja999/2191121767/, ed, 2008, pencil, eraser, page of maths workings.
Effective Learning Strategies
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