maths study skill

7/28/2019 MATHS STUDY SKILL

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MATH STUDY SKILLSCreated by

Janice LevasseurPresented byTheresa Hert

MSJC ~ San Jacinto CampusMath Center Workshop Series


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Welcome to Math Study Skills

Congratulationsfor taking a mathclass

Studying for a math class is different

You will use all math concepts learned inprevious math classes

You need to memorize and apply what you

learn You must use the information learned to solve

new types of problems

Therefore, you need to design a plan toimprove your math study skills


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Before we start . . .

My Personal Math Study-SkillsInventory

Source: Conquering Math Anxiety, 2nd Ed by Cynthia Arem, 2003


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Math Study Skills Inventory

I attend all my math classes

I review my class notes as soon after classas possible

I do weekly & monthly reviews of all my classand textbook notes

I take notes on my text and review them

often I work to overlearn and thoroughly master

my material


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4 Keys to Better Study Skills

Motivation/Goal Setting

Time Management

Planning

Organization


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Motivation/Goal Setting

Set realistic goals

Use attaining the goal as motivation


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Time Management

Unlike High School, you (in college)manage your time

You take responsibility for what you doand dont do, as well as theconsequences of your decisions


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Planning

Weekly Schedule Set aside time to study

Prioritize by importance, avoid urgency

Monthly Calendar Test date

Major projects/assignments due dates


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Organization

3-Ring Binder (one for each class)Monthly Calendar

Class ScheduleClass notes

Handouts

HomeworkExams

Extra Binder Paper


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Studying in College

2 3 hours each week for every 1 hour(unit) in class

Ex: 3 units class = 3 class hours 6 9

hours doing homework each week Homework:

Read the text

Practice problems

Review lecture notes

Complete homework assignments on time


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Read the Math Textbook

Read your textbook First pass, skim the sections Second pass, read in depth slowly, carefully

Take notes on definitions & theorems Mark up your book highlights,

underlines, scribbles in the margins

Create a summary sheet of the sections Refer to the section lessons when stuck

on a homework problem


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Practice Problems

Study math everyday -- Practice DAILY! Work through example problems in the

lesson sections & work the try it yourself

problems Do additional problems not assigned

(odd to check answers in the back)

Own the material, dont rent it!


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Review Lecture Notes

Recopy your class notes Fill in any gaps

Work thru things you didnt understand duringthe class lecture

Summary Sheets Summarize the lecture

Create flashcards (vocabulary, properties,theorems, proofs, formulas, algorithms,

procedures)


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Complete HomeworkAssignments

Do the homework as soon as possible It will take less time

It will be easier to remember what wascovered during the class lecture

Check your answers The answers to odd problems are in the back

of your textbook

You learn what you do, so do it right!


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Why Planning?

The Magic of Now Improves Memory Review immediately & again 8 hours later

Do your HW the same day it is assigned


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Hermann Ebbinghouse

German psychologist that researched the

rate of forgetting

After 20 minutes, nearly 50% of whathad been learned is forgotten

After 1 day, nearly 66% is lost

After 2 days, 69% is lostAfter 15 days, 75% is lost

After 31 days, 78% is lost


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H.F. Spitzers studyon retention showed that

Students who reviewed the material

immediately after learning it and

then did periodic reviews were able to

retain almost 80% of the material

after 2 months!


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Other Factors to Success

Take math classes consecutively and avoidshort-term classes, like in summer school

Consider auditing or repeating a math class You are more likely to succeed if you earn a B or

higher in each math class

Learning math frequently

and in small chunks is better.

When are you at your best? Set aside the hour after class for review and

doing homework


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Teacher Selection

Find a teacher you click with Word of mouth, peer (student)

recommendations, ratemyprofessor.com


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Perceptual Learning Channel

Your primary perceptual learning channelwill be visual, auditory, orkinesthetic


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Visual I can often see in my mind the page in my

notes or in the text where the explanations or

answers are located

I am more likely to remember math when Iwrite it down

It helps when I can picture working aproblem out in my mind


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Visual Learner

Study written material Rework your notes Make flash cards

Use different colorsAsk your tutor to SHOW YOU

how to do the problem

Write down each problem stepthe tutor tells you


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Auditory

I learn best from a lecture I hate taking notes

I repeat the numbers to myself when

mentally working out math problems



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Auditory Learner

Tape record the class

Read aloud any written explanations

Have your tutor EXPLAIN HOW to work theproblems

Explain to your tutor how to work the problem

Make sure all important facts are spokenaloud


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Kinesthetic

I learn math best when I can manipulate it,touch it, or use hands-on examples

I learn best in math when I just get in and dosomething with my hands

Ive always liked using my fingers



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KinestheticLearner

Use manipulatives to understandmath concepts

Obtain diagrams, objects,drawings, and get involved

to help you learn math

Rewrite your lecture notes

Rewrite your homework problemsand solutions


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Give it Your All!

Successful Math Students are Disciplined

Persistent Patient

Hard working

Able to concentrate


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Attend All Classes & Stay

Current

Dont fall behind Seek additional help sooner rather than later

Learning Resource Center or Math Center

Instructor (Office Hours)

Tutor

Study buddy or Study Group Other Textbooks/References

Procrastination is one of the worst enemies!


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Take a Complete Set of Class Notes

Studies show successful students take fullerclass notes (about 64% of what is presented)

than unsuccessful students

Recopy your notes after class filling in anyblanks

Write on one side of the paper only (use the

other side for additional sample problems,comments, questions, etc.)

Neatness counts!


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Tackle your Math book

Read your textbook Work out practice problems Mark up your book (the best math students

always mark their books highlights,underlines, pencil scribbles in the margins) Review at the end of chapter Key Words Use the Chapter Reviews and Chapter Tests

to take a practice test before the real test


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What We Say and Do

We remember

10% of what we read

20% of what we hear

30% of what we see

50% of what we hear and see

70% of what we explain aloud toourselves and others

90% of what we both say and doSource: Edgar Dales Cone of Learning


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It is up to you . . .

. . . to understand the material covered ineach class

Subsequent lectures and assignmentsproceed from the assumption that youunderstand the previously coveredmaterial.

Learning doesnt happen passively in amath class! Believe in yourself! You can do it!

maths study skill

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