jrowannotetakingtesttakingtestanxiety
Post on 01-Nov-2014
1.594 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
AgendaAgendaAgendaAgendaPart 1: Being a Prepared StudentPart 1: Being a Prepared Student
Part 2: Being an Effective ListenerPart 2: Being an Effective Listener
Part 3: Taking Quality NotesPart 3: Taking Quality Notes
Part 4: Preparing for TestsPart 4: Preparing for Tests
Part 5: Dealing with AnxietyPart 5: Dealing with Anxiety
Student Student Effectiveness Effectiveness
Starts With Being Starts With Being PreparedPrepared
Student Student Effectiveness Effectiveness
Starts With Being Starts With Being PreparedPrepared
""Always have a plan and believe in Always have a plan and believe in it. Nothing good happens by it. Nothing good happens by accident.accident."" ~ Chuck Knox, NFL football ~ Chuck Knox, NFL football coachcoach
Top 12 Study Skills Necessary for Academic Success…
Note taking Goal Setting Selecting Ideas from Texts and Lectures Time Management Problem Solving Concentration and Attentional Skills Test Preparation Questioning Skills Inference Skills Self-Directional Processes Verbal Elaboration Ability Imaginal Elaboration
http://learningassistance.com/2007/september/printables/studyskillsprint.html
Being Prepared Means…
Using a three-ring binder Pages can be easily removed for reviewing. Handouts can be inserted into your notes for cross-
referencing. You can insert your own out-of-class notes in the
correct order. Bringing highlighters to class. Highlight when the
instructor says… "This is an important concept.“ "Make sure you understand this."
Reading assigned material and previous class notes before class. Note concepts you don't understand. Look up vocabulary words that are unfamiliar to
you.
Effective ListeningEffective ListeningEffective ListeningEffective Listening
""Learn how to listen and you will Learn how to listen and you will prosper even from those who talk prosper even from those who talk badly.badly.""
~ Plutarch (A.D. 46 - 120). Greek biographer and philosopher~ Plutarch (A.D. 46 - 120). Greek biographer and philosopher
Effective Listening is…
Having a positive attitude Being an active listener Adapting to the direction of the lecture Never
Calling the Subject Dull Criticizing the Speaker Getting Over-stimulated Listening Only For Facts Trying To Outline Everything Faking Attention Tolerating Distraction Choosing Only What's Easy Letting Emotion-Laden Words Get In The Way Wasting the Differential Between Speech and Thought
Speed
Effective Effective Note-TakingNote-Taking
Effective Effective Note-TakingNote-Taking
"Never use a sentence when you "Never use a sentence when you can use a phrase, or a phrase can use a phrase, or a phrase when you can use a word.”when you can use a word.” ~Berkeley ~Berkeley
General Note-Taking Guidelines
Start each new lecture on a new page Date & number each page Write on one side of the paper only Leave blank spaces. Make your notes as brief Use abbreviations and symbols. Note unfamiliar vocabulary / concepts
Include in Your Notes… Main Points with supporting
Details Facts Explanations
Discussed enumerations or lists Definitions, word for word Material written on boards or
transparencies Drawings or charts. Repeated or spelled information
Always Edit Your Notes…
Review notes within 24 hours Edit for illegible words and phrases Write out abbreviated words that
might be unclear later Edit with a different colored pen Fill in key words / questions in the
left-hand column Highlight what you don't
understand Fill in notes from your textbook
Note-Taking Systems The Cornell Method
The Outline Method
The Mapping Method
The Charting Method
The Sentence Method
The Cornell Method Method
2½ inch left-hand margin / 6 inch right-hand margin Take notes in 6 inch area New point, skip a few lines Clean up notes after class--create summaries Write a cue in the left margin Review by covering notes with a card
Say cue / say material underneath the card Move the card / see if what you said matches what is
written
Advantages Organized and systematic Easy format for pulling out major concept and ideas Simple and efficient Saves time and effort
Disadvantages – None When to Use - Any lecture
The Outline Method Method
Organized space indention pattern Major points left / more specific right Levels of importance = distance away from the major
point Space relationships will indicate the major/minor points
Advantages Well-organized Records content / relationships Reduces editing / easy to review--turning main points
into questions Disadvantages
Requires thought in class for accurate organization May not show sequence relationships Cannot be used if the lecture is too fast.
When to Use—When… Lecture presented in outline—deductive or inductive Sufficient time is available You can handle the outlining regardless of the situation.
The Mapping Method
Method… Relates fact or idea to every other fact or idea Graphic representation of lecture content Maximizes active participation / Emphasizes critical
thinking Advantages
Visually track the lecture Relationships can easily be seen Easy to edit by adding numbers, marks, and color
coding Review by restructuring thought processes
Disadvantages May not hear changes from major points to facts
When to Use—When… Lecture content is heavy & well-organized A guest lecturer presents
The Charting Method Method
Determine the categories Set up paper in advance by columns headed by
categories Listen & record information into appropriate categories
Advantages Helps you track the lecture Reduces amount of writing Provides easy review mechanism
for memorization of facts for study of comparisons and relationships
Disadvantages Learning how to use the system Locating appropriate categories
When to Use—When… Test focuses on facts and relationships Content is heavy and presented fast You want to reduce the amount of time you spend
editing and reviewing You want an overview of the whole course on one big
paper sequence
The Sentence Method Method
Write every new thought, fact or topic numbered on a separate line
Advantages Slightly more organized than the paragraph Gets more or all of the information
Disadvantages Can’t determine major/minor points Difficult to edit without rewriting to by clustering related
points Difficult to review unless editing cleans up relationship
When to Use—When… Lecture is organized & heavy with content quickly
delivered You hear different points, but don’t know how they fit
together Instructor presents in point fashion without related groups
Note-Paper Generators
http://www.simson.net/notepaper/index.cgi
http://www.eleven21.com/notetaker/
http://www.botsko.net/Demos/notepad_generator/
Testing Effectiveness Testing Effectiveness Starts With Being Starts With Being
PreparedPrepared
Testing Effectiveness Testing Effectiveness Starts With Being Starts With Being
PreparedPrepared
"A good plan, violently executed now, "A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next is better than a perfect plan next week.“week.“
~~General George S. Patton Jr.General George S. Patton Jr.
General Test Taking Tips
Preparation for your first test begins the first day of class Studying Completing homework assignments Reviewing study materials on a regular basis.
Manage your time Go to any review sessions offer by the
instructor Pay attention to hints Take careful notes Ask questions
General Test Taking Tips
(continued)
Go to class immediately before test Review material from…
Practice tests Homework Sample problems Review material The textbook Class notes
Eat a light meal for energy and focus
General Test Taking Tips
(continued)
No all-nighters Sleep at least 3 hours Set your alarm Set a backup alarm
Create a one page study sheet Go to the bathroom before the test Get to class 5 minutes before the test
Specific Test Taking Tips Bring…
Two pens/pencils with good erasers Calculator with enough batteries Any other resources that your instructor allows Watch
Keep a positive attitude / Stay relaxed Survey the entire test / pace yourself Do easiest problems first / skip what you
don’t know Ask for clarification Write legibly Read the whole question / no
assumptions When done check over the complete test Put your first and last name on the test
Post Test Taking Tips
Check for grading mistakes Analyze & learn from your
mistakes Take notes on correct answers Seek make-up exam / extra credit Study test for cumulative exams
Multiple Choice Strategies
Read question first & determine the answer Read all choices / Use process of
elimination Make educated guesses Don't change your answer Don’t choose "All of the above" if any
distracter is false Don’t choose "None of the above" if any
distracter is true Two or more distracters correct choose “All
of the above” A positive choice more likely to be true than
a negative one Correct answer / choice with the most
information.
Essay Test Strategies Read the directions / Follow them exactly Make sure you understand the question Write everything you know about the question Budget your time Question asks for facts, give facts, not opinions Write legibly / Be neat Outline your essay so it is organized and flows No long introductions & conclusions/ Spend
time answering question(s) Focus on one main idea per paragraph. Proofread & correct errors Draw one line through a mistake
True-False Test Strategies Most tests have more true than false
answers Guess if no penalty applies Read each statement carefully Pay attention to the qualifiers and
keywords Never, always, & every lead to a false answer. Usually, sometimes, and generally" mean lead to a
true answer
Part false / All false Part true / True or False
Short Answer Test Strategies
Create flashcards Front--key terms, dates and concepts Back--definition, event, and explanations
Anticipate questions & prepare answers No blanks--go for partial credit Don't know--come back & make
educated guess Read question carefully / multiple parts
Math Test-Taking Strategies
Repetition = Results in Math Practice solving problems on each topic in different levels of difficulty Solve problems on your own first, then check answers
Create study sheet w/formulas & memorize them
When you get test write formulas in margins Read directions carefully Answer all parts of each question Estimate answers Show all your work Write legibly Don't erase work--go for partial credit Check test when done--Make sure…
Redo questionable problems on a separate piece of paper Compare reworked answer to test answer Look for careless mistakes Copied the numbers correctly Signs are correct Arithmetic is correct
Open Book Test-Taking StrategiesOpen book tests are usually difficult so… Spend equal or greater amount of time
preparing Be Familiar with book & relevant materials Create study sheet with most important
information Focus on main ideas & where they are located Highlight important points
Use post-it notes Bookmarks Annotate book
Bring all resources instructor allows Answer easy questions first Don’t over-quote / Provide insight &
commentary
Self-SabotageSelf-SabotageAnxietyAnxiety
Self-SabotageSelf-SabotageAnxietyAnxiety
I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal – and soon they’ll forget my number. ~Edith Armstrong
Test Anxiety = Stress
So…What is stress?
…our perceptions of and reactions to the positive or negative situations that occur in our lives.
Fight or Flight Response
Pituitary gland automatically releases Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which signals
Adrenal glands to release the “stress hormones” Adrenaline
Cortisol
Hormones help us Focus on the situation at hand
Speed up reaction times
Temporarily boost our physical strength and agility
Fight or Flight Response
(continued)
Automatic physiological responses to stress
Heart pounds Hands/Feet cooler than usual Face warm/Cheeks & ears pink Pressure headache Mouth dry Upset stomach or butterflies in stomach Feel restless Sweat / Hands clammy
Fight or Flight Response
(continued)
Emotional responses Frustration Anger
“Virtually every organ and every chemical constituent of the human
body is involved in the general stress reaction.”
~Dr. Hans Selye, The Stress of Life
Three Levels of Stress
Acute stress Most manageable
Heart rates jump Blood pressures raise Tension headaches Momentarily angry, elated, boisterous or
resentful Temporary
Step back to curb out of the path of a vehicle Home team wins (or loses) Cry in joy, relief, frustration
Levels of Stress(continued)
Episodic acute stressLife gets the best of you
Deserve a raise and/or promotion, but don’t askLife spins out of controlOne disaster after another
IllnessDivorceLoss of employment
SymptomsRecurring headachesIndigestionFatigueInsomnia
Levels of Stress(continued)
Chronic stress Literally wears us out
Body & mind reacts / serious long-term physical and/or mental disorders.
Occurs when situations become impossible Long ignored symptoms become
invisible Grinding teeth Tremors Confusion Forgetfulness Over-eating Alcoholism
Effects of StressAcute Stress
HeadachesDigestive problemsEating disordersInsomniaFatigue
Episodic StressHeart diseaseHigh blood pressureStroke
Chronic StressHopelessnessConstant anxietyDepressionParanoia and delusionsSuicide
Managing Stress
Take a Deep Breath & Count to 10Stand up and smile / Every cloud has a silver liningTake a short walk / Exercise / Participate in a sportStop and Smell the Roses / Take the time to enjoy lifeSleep on it / Take a nap / Get a good night's restKnow your limitations / Dare to say noBe pro-active in finding peaceNeed help, ask for it / Talk to a friendEat healthilyListen to your favorite musicPlan out your time and prioritizeGet a massage / Take a warm bathRead a book / Watch TV / Play a game
Reducing Test AnxietyBe well preparedSpace out your studyingMaintain a positive attitudeExercise to help reduce stress. Get a good night's sleep before the testBe on time to class / Not too earlyStay relaxed / Use relaxation strategiesRead the directions slowly and carefullySkim through the test / Pace yourselfRecord formulas, facts, definitions, keywords in the marginBuild confidence / Do the simple questions firstDon't worry about how fast other people finish their testDon't know, skip it & come back laterFocus / Don't let your mind wander
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction. benediction.
——Bessie StanleyBessie Stanley
A Final A Final Thought…Thought…
A Final A Final Thought…Thought…
ReferencesWeb Addresseshttp://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.htmlhttp://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/notes-tips.htmhttp://www.testtakingtips.com/http://www.stressmanagementtips.com/
BooksHipp, Earl (1995). Fighting Invisible Tigers. MN: Free Spirit Publishing.Smith, Brenda D. (2008). Bridging the Gap (9TH ed.). NY: Pearson Education, Inc.Mather, Peter and McCarthy, Rita (2007). Reading and All That Jazz (3rd ed.). IL: McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.
top related