The document discusses effective revision techniques. It notes that many common study strategies give an illusion of mastery but are not truly effective. It recommends setting timers for 25 minute periods of focused study with breaks in between, called Pomodoros. Ineffective flashcard practices include using pre-made cards, putting too much on one card, and not mixing pictures and words. Effective uses include making your own cards with one question per card and saying answers out loud. Testing frequently on material not yet mastered is also recommended.
7. Many common learning strategies give the illusion of mastery
but are not truly effective.
8. 1.Revision is easy.
2. You can revise well and listen to
music.
3. Hiding your phone isn’t necessary
during revision time.
4. Good diet and sleep aren’t
necessary for good revision.
5. Revising for longer is better.
9. Choose your task.
Remove ALL distractions.
Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Concentrate for 100% of the time
during that period.
When the timer rings, stop and take a
break.
Set a goal of how many ‘Pomodoros’ you want to do per
day.
10.
11. X Using them as bullet point lists instead of testing cards.
X Too much information on one card.
X Testing yourself only once or twice.
X You practice with them while distracted.
X You practice them all for the same amount of time.
Ineffective use
12. Effective use
Make your own, don’t use pre-made ones.
Use them as testing cards – 1 card/1question.
Mix pictures and words.
Say the answers out loud.
Focus only on the flash cards when self testing.
Create a system where you test yourself on the ones you
don’t know more frequently.
Give students 30 seconds to memorise the images, tell them you will be asking them about the images at the end of the session.
Ask students what this is the logo for
Ask them – what about this one then?
B is correct. This illustrates that if you are familiar with something, it doesn’t mean that you could recall it in an exam.
Highlighting books/revision guides, re-reading over and over, re-writing over and over, doing one topic/subject at a time, cram revision, sticking posters on the wall.
Metaphor to show the mind as a dense forest with hidden memories. The more often you retrieve them the stronger the pathway becomes (the well-trodden path)
