Studying for Exams, Part Deux

Now that we've talked about active reading strategies for improving student scores on midterms and finals, let's discuss some active study techniques to improve memory and information retention! These methods work well with vocabulary (ecosphere, integer), individual identification (Clara Barton, FDR), concepts, and eras. Try them out today with your child to see how much more they can remember in just a short period of time (Click on the title for visual descriptions)!

1. The Smart Card Study Technique
Smart cards are very similar to flash cards, but have a few additions to directly tie into student experiences and memory. Just like flash cards, smart cards have the vocab word, person, concept, or time period on one side, and the definition on the back side. In addition to the usual explanation, however, smart cards also have a small visual aid that the student draws of the term in question. The student also includes a personal sentence in which the term is related to the student's life. Making that connection greatly improves the student's ability to recall the pertinent details and apply it to the quiz, test, or questions. Smart cards also provide a great way for children and parents to interact. Quizzing each other can be a lot of fun and can reinforce that learning doesn't have to be boring. For kinesthetic learners, parents can also scatter the cards around the room with the definition side up and ask the student to find the correct explanation of specific terms without picking up the cards (or vice versa).

2. Two Column Notes
Two column notes are created by folding paper into 1/3 and 2/3 sections. On the left hand side (1/3 side), you write the term to be defined. On the right hand side (2/3 side), you write the definition or explanation using abbreviations, summaries, or other short hand techniques. When it comes time to study, the student can simply fold the paper at the crease and quiz himself or herself from one side to the other. This method is easily implemented and can help students begin to organize their thoughts. Parents can also get in on the fun by quizzing the student using either side of the notes.

By introducing these methods to your child over the coming weeks, you'll be helping him or her gain life long study skills that they can use regardless of the class, level, or exam type. These are just two more ways to help students define what it actually means to "study" and to increase their ability to interact with the learning process.