methods to teach students how to study
I am teaching a review course for national boards. How do i teach students to study for this. I have used study book guides & CD's, but quickly loose the students interest. any suggestions on methods for this course.
Rachel,
You might want to use small groups to select some key knowledge bites from the reading to report out to the class. Once they have completed their outside reading/learning assignments they meet in small group and select one or two key content elements and then the share that with the other groups. So there is a three stage process going on, one with their reading, two the groups and three the entire class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
These are great ideas. Any suggestions for facilitating compliance with outside reading/learning assignments? I have done quizzes over the reading assignments in the past, but how can we help the students to structure outside reading in such a way that it is productive and meaningful?
Cassandra,
Thanks for sharing these game ideas with us. I use games a lot in my classes as well. They really get the students involved and competitive and this makes reviews exciting and rewarding.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am a big fan of using games in class. Some examples that I use are Jeopardy-- I put the values on the board with the questions under them and have the students choose what category and value and then ask the question, a correct answer gives them the points, an incorrect answer allows the other team to steal. Another game that my students enjoy is a BINGO style game. Each student is given a blank BINGO card that they are to fill in various one word responses on, this works really well with vocabulary, as I call out definitions the students place their bingo chip on the correct word, first person to get BINGO wins!
Sharon -
I also use various interactive games to help teach my students. They really enjoy it and comment on how much it helps them retain the information.
Hi Sharon, will knowing where the key content is located in your curriculum materials help you to go in-depth with those concepts during the natural routine of teaching? Taking the time to map the needed goals in a new course or curriculum can take time, but perahps working in the context of the natural course delivery can help.
Martha Moore
Travis,
Good information to share with us. My students really like games as well. They always get ramped up when I put them into teams and we play review games.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have found that they do like games, especially if they are in teams. In the past I've had great luck reviewing for exams with setting up two teams, and having one from each team go to the board. A question is asked and the first one to write the correct answer and put the marker down wins the round. There is lots of excitement and generaly fun. The emotional aspect of the event seems to help retain the material as well.
Sharon,
Can you create teams and then develop games like Jeopardy to drill them over content and terminology? I have found that this method really helps them to focus and retain the material for Boards.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
