Layout Times
Dec. 27 - Jan. 02, 2010
MIND WORKS-15 LEARNING TECHNIQUES – For the Benefit of Students By Prof UK Athikkal ---------
Anxious days for students are ahead. Examination season is fast approaching. Higher aspirations to score maximum marks in the chosen field of study and their anxiety to live up to the expectations of their parents and other well wishers add to their examination tension. We shall therefore have a serious look now at the most effective learning techniques. First of all do create good study habits. If the existing habits are not effective have the courage to admit it yourself. Decide to change . For changing habits it is necessary to have will power and determination. Regular practice on a daily practice for a minimum period of 21 days is helpful to get this habit programmed in your neurology so that you will be able to stick on to the schedule without much conscious effort. Given two students with equal memory ability and intelligence level, the one with better study habits will probably perform better in school. Two of the important techniques that would help in this regard are outlined below. (1) Scheduling : - As a regular habit, begin setting up a schedule in which you would identify the time for studying, when you are most alert and motivated. It could be early morning, in the late afternoon or at some other time. The place identified should be a quiet, comfortable place free from distractions. (2) U s i n g S Q 3 R methodSQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review. This method has been found helpful to students. It requires elaborate rehersal in which you process information at a relatively deep level. This is different from rote memorization, in which information is processed at a relatively shallow level. If you have ever found yourself studying for hours yet doing poorly in exams, it might be the consequence of failing to use elaborative rehearsal. The following are the steps to be followed in detail.
First, survey the main headings and subheadings, to create an organized framework in which to fit the formation you are studying. Second, as you survey the sections ask yourself questions to be answered when you read them. Third, read the material carefully, train to answer your questions as you move through each section.In memorising new terms you might find it especially helpful to say them out loud. A study found that subjects who read them silently, wrote them down or heard them spoken by someone else. Fourth, after reading a section recite information to see whether you understand it. Do not proceed to the next section until you understand the one you are studying. Fifth, perodically review the information in the entire lesson by quizzing yourself on it and then read again anything you fail to recall. Few more techniques will be of assistance for effective learning.One is studying the material over and over, ie over learnig to improve retention.The other technique is to use distributed practice instead of mass practice. The advantage of distributed practice over mass practice is especially important in studying academic material. If you can devote a total of four hrs to study a chapter, you could be better off studying for one hour on five different occassions than studying for four hours on one occassion. You might recognize this as a suggestion to avoid 'cramming' for exams. Organizational of text materials is another method to improve retention. One proven technique consists of organizing materials in memory as it is been read for the first time. To do this you should first identify any advance information about structure and content of the material scanning by using the table of contents, chapter outline and headings. Another tecjnique in this direction is organization of lecture notes. “Less is more” is perhaps the best advice for taking notes that aid in recall. Rather than trying jot down every detail of lecture, it is better to listen and think about the material, taking down, the main points after you have considered them in a broader context. In effective note taking thinking about the material initially is more important than writing it down. This is one reason that borrowing someone else's notes is a bad proposition; since you have no framework in memory to use in understanding them.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Page - 03
Vol. 1. Issue : 21
Manmohan Singh Visits Vajpayee
CARTOON Summit on Global Warming
India: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned 86. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited and greeted him on his birth day. Many leaders like L K Advani, Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, and other visited to greet him on the occasion. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yedyurappa also called on him at his residence to wish him a happy birthday and to receive his blessings. The party members have organised several functions to commemorate Mr Vajpayee's birthday.
Prakash Raj Awarded, Touched the Audience through Kanjeevaram
India: Prakash Raj won the Shantaram Award for the movie Kanjeevaram. The Tamil movie won great applause. Prakash played the role of a poor and sympathised Communist weaver, who wish to see his daughter in a silk bridal saree on her wedding. Kanjeevaram is a gripping tale of poverty in India near the end of British colonial rule and the political forces that will help to shape India's destiny. The film
has gone on to win several awards. The director of the movie Priyadarshan also wins the Shantaram Award in the best director category. Priyadarshan spoke about his joy at receiving his first best director award in his 27year long career. The movie Kanjeevaram wins the Best Film Award and for cinematography too. Actresses Tamanna Bhatia and Rani Mukherjee have also won awards.
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