Accelerated learning for the student
- 1. ACCELERATED LEARNING How can you learn most effectively? ~Or Learning how to learn
- 3. Relax The correct diet Hydrate Temperature PREPARE TO LEARN Oxygen and light levels Reduce stress Motivate Sleep
- 4. RELAXATION Basic meditation techniques can be learned. A simple focus on breathing, in through the nose out through the mouth is good. Count your breaths. A visualisation of an activity or environment that makes you happy, that can be recalled prior to learning or assessment.
- 5. DIET Vitamins A/B/C/E help to make you alert, improve vision, improve memory and help support proper brain function. Avoid starch, sugar and caffeine. Never miss breakfast. Eat regularly throughout the day.
- 6. HYDRATION Hydration helps to maintain optimum brain functioning. Always keep a bottle of water next to you. This will prevent interruptions to your learning session.
- 7. TEMPERATURE Be aware of the temperature in your room, this will allow you to maintain an optimum temperature that is not too hot and not too cold.
- 8. OXYGEN AND LIGHT LEVELS Open your windows. Keep plants in your room, they also filter out harmful gasses from computers. Allow as much natural light as possible, avoid fluorescent lighting if at all possible.
- 9. REDUCE STRESS Acknowledge the presence and importance of stress to yourself. Use music to relax. Use basic meditation techniques. Have plants in your room.
- 10. MOTIVATION The most effective motivation is intrinsic not extrinsic. Establish “what’s in it for me”. Set your own learning goals. Use SMART targets.
- 11. SLEEP Sleep helps you to remember what you have learnt during the day. Remember, the hours before midnight are more important than after!
- 12. The room in which you learn should be a multisensory environment. Displays are an essential part of this. They should include : A study time table Deadlines for examinations or assignments. Motivational posters. Key words of the topics. ROOM TO LEARN
- 13. MUSIC TO AID LEARNING Its not just baroque (classical) music that helps. Remember, most students will listen to music at home while studying. You might even find silence unsettling!
- 14. MUSIC TO AID LEARNING-PLAN IT, DON’T JUST PLAY IT! Upbeat positive music before you sit down to study. Music linked to the topic of study. Use relaxing background music (60 beats per minute) to aid learning.
- 15. Part 1: put the learning in context. Review learning from previous session- what do you know? Relate learning to examination - what is in the exam?, Make learning outcomes clear.- What do you want to know by the end of your session? STRUCTURING A REVISION SESSION
- 16. STRUCTURING A REVISION SESSION Part 2: Starter Engage your interest, look at a picture or read an article relating to the subject, or even visualise using the knowledge for something important. Try to put prior knowledge in context, how does it relate to what you want to know? Prepare for main task.
- 17. STRUCTURING A REVISION SESSION Part 3: Main revision: Learning should be multi-sensory and engage different learning styles. Try to include many different forms of learning including, mind maps, flash cards, association images or stories. Work should be challenging and broken into achievable chunks, 45 mins is just about anybody's maximum focus.
- 18. STRUCTURING A REVISION SESSION Part 4: Plenary Review what you have learned. Use these techniques: Write out summary points Draw a mind map of your session Name the most important thing you have learned. Prepare flash cards or summary diagrams. Develop a technique to question yourself. Write and answer 5 questions on the main points you have covered.
- 19. HOW DO YOU LEARN? DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES
- 20. Characteristics Listen to music when relaxing Prefer to talk on the phone Eager to talk Forget faces but remember names Talk when inactive Outburst when angry Don’t like reading books or manuals AUDITORY: DO YOU...
- 21. Hearing a presentation Reading aloud Making a tape to listen to Verbal summaries Explaining to another student Internal verbalisations Practice saying words before writing AUDITORY: THE BEST LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR YOU:
- 22. Characteristics Play games or sport to relax Prefer to talk while doing something else Talk slow, using gestures and expressions KINAESTHETIC: DO YOU... Fidget when inactive When angry you clench fists, grit teeth and storm off.
- 23. Copy demonstrations Make models Record information as you hear it, preferably as a mind map KINAESTHETIC: THE BEST LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR YOU: Walk around as you read Underline/highlight new information Use index cards for key points
- 24. Characteristics Prefer to watch a film or TV or read a book to relax Prefer to talk face-to-face Talk fast, don’t enjoy listening VISUAL: DO YOU... Forget names but remember faces When inactive you doodle or watch something or someone When angry you remain silent and seethe
- 25. Write down key facts or draw a mind map Visualise Create pictures or diagrams VISUAL: THE BEST LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR YOU: Use time lines for remembering dates Create strong visual links
- 26. RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE YOUR INTELLIGENCE Everybody possesses all 8 intelligences to some extent and the most powerful learning combines all 8. Each has value and you should identify your weaknesses and strengths .
- 28. Good at sport Never sit still Like to touch BODILY KINAESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE -USED FOR TOUCH AND REFLEX Good with your hands Control of reflexes and body Good timing Characteristics:
- 29. Learn by doing Role play and drama Field trips Making models BODILY KINAESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE -USED FOR TOUCH AND REFLEX Writing bullet points/mind maps Changing activity frequently Mental review during activity. Best learning activities:
- 30. Relates to and mixes well with others Puts people at their ease Has many friends Sympathetic to others INTERPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE -USED FOR COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS Mediates between people Good communicator Good negotiator Co-operative Characteristics:
- 31. Learning from peers Working in teams/groups Sharing information INTERPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE -USED FOR COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS Comparing notes Making use of mentors Peer teaching Best learning activities:
- 32. Know your own strengths Private Independent INTRA-PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE – USED FOR SELF-DISCOVERY AND ANALYSIS Wants to be different Keeps a diary Plans time effectively Self-motivated Characteristics:
- 33. Setting goals and targets Creating personal interest Taking control of learning INTRA-PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE – USED FOR SELF-DISCOVERY AND ANALYSIS Seeking the human angle Reflecting, writing, discussing what was experienced and the feelings this evoked. Reflecting on how new information fits Best learning activities :
- 34. Extensive vocabulary Good at spelling Good written communication LINGUISTIC INTELLIGENCE: USED FOR READING WRITING AND SPEECH Expressive and fluent speech Good listener Strong reasoning ability Methodical Characteristics:
- 35. Learning from books, tapes and lectures. Read from a text, summarize out loud in their own words. Brainstorming to organize thoughts or distinguish key points. LINGUISTIC INTELLIGENCE: USED FOR READING WRITING AND SPEECH Making up cross-words or puzzles to solve. Debating and discussing issues. Oral presentations. Best Learning Activities:
- 36. Good at budgeting Logical thought, explanation and action Organised LOGICAL MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGENCE : USED FOR MATH, LOGIC AND SYSTEMS. Plans time and reasons effectively Seeks patterns and relationships precise Characteristics:
- 37. Listing and numbering key points Using a flow chart to express information Using spread sheets Using time-lines to remember dates and events LOGICAL MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGENCE : USED FOR MATH, LOGIC AND SYSTEMS. Analysing and interpreting data Reasoning and deducing Creating and solving problems Playing mathematical games. Best Learning Activities:
- 38. Sensitive to music and its emotions Changes mood with music Good at keeping time to a beat MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE : USED FOR RHYTHM, MUSIC AND LYRICS Good at selecting background music May be deeply spiritual Characteristics :
- 39. Use music to relax before learning Use music while studying that reflects what is being learned. MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE : USED FOR RHYTHM, MUSIC AND LYRICS Writing out songs/raps/poems to aid recall Use musical approach to remember key words (association/ tone/ rhythm) Best Learning activities:
- 40. Interest and enthusiasm for learning about nature and different habitats (this obviously aids recall). Comfortable in different types of environments NATURALISTIC INTELLIGENCE : USED TO MAKE SENSE OF THE NATURAL WORLD. Attuned to natural environment Troubled by pollution and issues of the biosphere. Characteristics :
- 41. Learning outdoors e.g.: field trips. Investigating/enquiring into environmental issues NATURALISTIC INTELLIGENCE : USED TO MAKE SENSE OF THE NATURAL WORLD. Reading about / listening to presentations on nature Studying the habits of animals/pets. Best Learning activities:
- 42. Thinks and remembers in pictures Good sense of image/use of minds eye. Strong sense of color VISUAL SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE : USED FOR VISUALIZATION AND ART Good at art and drawing Good sense of direction Well dressed. Characteristics
- 43. Learning from film, video or power points Using mind maps, symbols and diagrams VISUAL SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE : USED FOR VISUALIZATION AND ART Highlighting key points in different colours Studying in different settings to gain different perspectives Best Learning activities:
- 44. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE A study on Harvard students tested for IQ and EI showed a link between emotional intelligence and higher earning power, NOT IQ. EMOTIONAL INTELIGENCE IS : * SELF-AWARENESS *SELF-DISIPILNE * PERSISTANCE * EMPATHY ***YOU CAN LEARN AND IMPROVE YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELIGENCE!***
- 45. DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE DEVELOP COMMUNICATION SKILLS THROUGH DISCUSSION, DEBATE AND ROLE PLAY. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS VALUE AND RESPECT THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS CONSIDER THINGS FROM OTHER’S POINT OF VIEW. DON’T JUDGE , CONTROL OR CRITICISE OTHERS REFLECT AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK.
- 46. THINKING SKILLS: METACOGNITION YOU ARE A TRUE LEARNER IF YOU CAN….. Process information: locate, collect and recall information, analyse, sort, classify and sequence information.
- 47. THINKING SKILLS: METACOGNITION YOU ARE A TRUE LEARNER IF YOU CAN….. Reason: draw inferences, make deductions, judgements and decisions.
- 48. THINKING SKILLS: METACOGNITION YOU ARE A TRUE LEARNER IF YOU CAN….. Enquire: ask relevant questions, pose and define problems, plan research, predict outcomes and test conclusions.
- 49. THINKING SKILLS: METACOGNITION YOU ARE A TRUE LEARNER IF YOU CAN….. Think creatively: generate and extend ideas, find alternative and innovative outcomes
- 50. THINKING SKILLS: METACOGNITION YOU ARE A TRUE LEARNER IF YOU CAN….. Evaluate: judge the value of their own and others work, develop criteria for judging value, have confidence in their own judgements.
- 51. BASIC MEDITATION Sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes, but keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, head up, your eyes (behind your lids) focused ahead.
- 52. BASIC MEDITATION Take a deep, cleansing breath, expanding your belly and keeping your shoulders relaxed, and hold it in for the count of six. Exhale, and repeat twice more. Then breathe normally, and focus your attention on your breathing. As you breathe, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, still expanding your belly rather than moving your shoulders up and down.
- 53. BASIC MEDITATION If your thoughts drift toward the stresses of the day ahead or of the day behind you, gently refocus on your breathing and remain in the present moment. Feel the air move in, and feel the air move out
- 54. BASIC MEDITATION TIPS As you breathe, let your abdomen expand and contract, rather than moving your shoulders up and down. This deeper breathing is more natural and similar to how babies breathe. It gives you increased lung capacity, whereas the ‘shallow breathing’ adults usually utilize doesn’t allow as much oxygenation of the blood.
- 55. BASIC MEDITATION TIPS Don't breathe too quickly or too slowly; just breathe at a natural rate, but more deeply.
- 56. BASIC MEDITATION TIPS If you find your thoughts drifting a lot at first, don't worry that you're doing it 'wrong'. Noticing that you've drifted and refocusing to your breathing is part of the practice, and something you're doing 'right'!