5 Tips

for Increasing Organized Learning & Engagement

Tip #1:Space Learning Out Over Time[1]

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Students re-exposed to key concepts on at least two occasions—separated by several weeks or even months—demonstrated an increase in their ability to retain information. 

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• Review important content during class over the length of the course

• Use homework assignments to space out student practice

• Give cumulative midterm and final exams

Putting It Into Practice

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Tip #2:Alternate Between Worked Example Solutions and Problem-Solving Exercises

[1]

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Students learn best if provided with worked examples alternating with practice and exercises that they must solve on their own. 

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• Provide worked out solutions for students to study alternating with practice and exercises

• Assign “stepped out” or “multi-part” homework in which the students must complete one step or part successfully before moving on to the next

Putting It Into Practice

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Tip #3:Use Visuals Along with Written or Verbal Descriptions[1]

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The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text and 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual.[2]

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• Use well-chosen video, graphics, charts, and other visuals when teaching about processes and procedures

• Show multiple visual representations of the same abstract concept

Putting It Into Practice

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Tip #4:Use Quizzes to Promote Learning[1]

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Taking quizzes directly promotes learning and increases the chance a student will retain information.

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Putting It Into Practice• Pre-lecture quizzes activate prior knowledge and help develop

good study habits such as reading required course material before attending class

• Pre-tests or pre-quizzes help students understand what they do and do not know, and this helps them focus on weak areas before taking a high-stakes exam

• Quizzes re-expose students to key course material

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Tip #5:Help Students Allocate Study Time Efficiently [1]

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Students are often confused as to what they really need to study. They may spend too much time going over what they know well and not enough time studying concepts they don’t understand.

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Putting It Into Practice• Enable students to discover their strong and weak points using

assessments throughout the course

• Help students understand where they need to spend more study time by discussing assessment results with individual students

• Utilize tools and technologies that help students understand their progress on their own

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SummaryFollowing these tips will do more than simply help your students stay organized.

Each will assist in keeping your students engaged with the course material because your students will feel good—and not anxious—about their learning path.

They will have a clear, organized path to success and come to class ready to learn, share, and participate.

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Notes1. Pashler, Bain, Bottge, et al, (2007), Organizing Instruction and Study

to Improve Student Learning (NCER 2007-2004). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

2. From http://www.b2bcontentengine.com/2012/08/09/19-reasons-you-should-include-visual-content-in-your-marketing-data/, based on research from http://www.billiondollargraphics.com/infographics.html and http://www.webmarketinggroup.co.uk/Blog/why-every-seo-strategy-needs-infographics-1764.aspx.

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