College Study

by Lipsky, Sally A.

• ISBN13: 9780130488367
• ISBN10: 0130488364
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

Using an active learning approach, College Study integrates three interrelated elements of how students learn-their behaviors, attitudes (including motivation), and learning styles. The reader chooses, assesses, and applies strategies, with the goal of creating a personal system of study. This text presents learning strategies within the context of the growing expectations and responsibilities of students at the college level and includes: An emphasis on self-directed learning, Problem-centered content, Focus on immediate transfer of skills. Personal experiences that are valued and are used as a basis for learning.The text includes an appendix that links results of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) with text chapter topics and features.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
To the Student: An Introduction to Text Features	xiii
Creating Academic Success	1	(14)
Focus Questions	1	(1)
Chapter Terms	1	(1)
A System of Study: The Essential Ingredients	2	(1)
Your Learning Behaviors	2	(1)
Your Learning Attitudes	3	(1)
Your Learning Style	4	(5)
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®	4	(4)
Visual, Auditory, Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Styles	8	(1)
A Path to Success: Personal Action Statements	9	(2)
Conclusion: Creating Academic Success	11	(4)
Managing Your Time	15	(22)
Focus Questions	15	(1)
Chapter Terms	15	(1)
Controlling Your Time: Five Essential Ingredients	16	(1)
Use a Weekly Schedule	17	(6)
Use a Planner	23	(1)
Use a Calendar	24	(2)
Balance Academic with Social and Personal Demands	26	(2)
Avoid Procrastination	28	(3)
Personal Action Statement: Applying Time Management Techniques	31	(5)
Conclusion	36	(1)
Controlling Your Study Environment	37	(12)
Focus Questions	37	(1)
Chapter Terms	37	(1)
Controlling Your Study Environment: Three Essential Ingredients	38	(1)
Choose a Suitable Location	38	(2)
Get Organized	40	(2)
Maximize Concentration; Minimize Distractions	42	(4)
Conclusion	46	(3)
Active Listening and Note Taking	49	(26)
Focus Questions	49	(1)
Chapter Terms	49	(1)
Active Listening: The Essential Ingredients	50	(1)
Prepare Before Class	50	(2)
Listen and Take Notes During Class	52	(7)
Listen Selectively	53	(1)
Take Concise Notes	54	(2)
Be Clear	56	(1)
Be Accurate	56	(2)
Pay Attention	58	(1)
A Note About Web Notes	59	(1)
Follow Up After Class	59	(5)
Dealing with Difficult Lecturers	64	(10)
Conclusion	74	(1)
Reading and Studying Textbooks	75	(26)
Focus Questions	75	(1)
Chapter Terms	75	(1)
Understanding and Remembering: The Essential Ingredients	76	(1)
Preview What's Ahead	77	(2)
Get an Overview of the Book	78	(1)
Get an Overview of the Chapter or Article	78	(1)
Identify Your Purpose	79	(1)
Break Up Your Reading	79	(1)
Create Study Guides	79	(13)
Question-and-Answer Study Guide	81	(1)
Highlighting-Plus-Marking Study Guide	82	(2)
Outlining Study Guide	84	(1)
Study Cards	85	(1)
Visual Study Guides: Maps, Summary Charts, and Timelines	86	(6)
Review Periodically	92	(6)
Add or Combine Lecture Material	92	(1)
Talk Aloud	92	(1)
Anticipate Test Questions	93	(5)
Conclusion	98	(3)
Enhancing Your Memory	101	(10)
Focus Questions	101	(1)
Chapter Terms	101	(1)
Memory: The Essential Ingredients	102	(1)
Get Enough Sleep	102	(1)
Study in Small, Regular Blocks of Time	103	(1)
Review Soon After Receiving New Information	103	(1)
Organize and Categorize Information	104	(1)
Use Your Senses	104	(3)
Associate Ideas	107	(1)
Conclusion	108	(3)
Success with Tests	111	(34)
Focus Questions	111	(1)
Chapter Terms	111	(1)
Success With Tests: Four Essential Ingredients	112	(1)
Be Prepared	112	(4)
Keep Up with Academic Work	112	(1)
Develop Test Review Guides	112	(2)
Rehearse for the Exam	114	(2)
Reduce Test Anxiety	116	(9)
Do You Have Test Anxiety?	116	(3)
Change How You Think About the Test	119	(1)
Change How You Physically React to a Test	120	(2)
Desensitize Yourself	122	(3)
Develop Test-Wiseness	125	(11)
Use a Four-Step Course of Action	125	(1)
Watch for Key Words	126	(1)
Look for Qualifying Words	127	(1)
Practice Multiple-Choice Questions	128	(3)
Practice Essay Questions	131	(5)
Review the Test	136	(7)
Conclusion	143	(2)
Continuing Your Academic Success: A Review	145	(4)
Focus Question	145	(1)
Chapter Term	145	(4)
Appendix Using the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (Lassi) with This Book	149	(4)
References	153	(2)
Index	155

Excerpts

This text contains a complete and balanced coverage of essential learning and study techniques, with an emphasis on critical thinking at the college level. Readers are exposed tohowto learn, while understandingwhythey learn, within the context of making informed choices about strategies that work best for them. After immediate transfer of a specific learning strategy into daily academic life, students critique its effectiveness. Content is presented in such a way as to guide students to become self-regulating learners and problem solvers. Features The text integrates three separate yet interrelated elements of how students learn: Strategies.The text covers important and practical study techniques that students can apply immediately in their daily academic courses. Attitude.The text provides opportunities for students to explore their levels of interest, motivation, and commitment to transferring learning techniques in their day-to-day lives as college students. Learning styles.Individual differences in learning preferences and tendencies can help students successfully implement learning and study strategies. As such, readers become aware of and apply techniques that matchhow they learn best.Two models of learning styles are presented in the text: (I) use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator inventory to determine learning preferences, and (2) use of visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic dimensions of learning. Additional features of the text include: A streamlined format and an informal, personal writing style that maintain thereader's attention. A focus onmodelingthe essentials of learning so that readers can readily transfer strategies to content course work. Illustrations of how peers apply specific strategies, in the form of visual examples and students' comments, provide appealing, convincing models. Relevant activities designed to immediatelyengagereaders. An appendix linking results of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) with text chapters. The LASSI is a self-report instrument that assesses college students' use of and attitudes toward learning and study strategies, as defined by 10 scales: attitude, motivation, time management, anxiety, concentration, information processing, selecting main ideas, study aids, self-testing, and test strategies. As described in the appendix, each of the 10 scales in the LASSI correlates with topics presented inCollege Study: The Essential Ingredients. This text is intended for use in either a two-year or four-year institution within a variety of contexts: A study skills or learning strategies course (likely one or two credits) A skills course "linked" or "paired" with content-area course work An introductory-level content course using a supplemental learning strategies text A first-year orientation program or seminar A series of workshops for first-year students A peer educator training course requiring a college learning strategies text Furthermore, anInstructor's Manualaccompanies the text and includes: Suggestions for how to usetext featuresfor in-class activities, including small-group work, collaborative work, journal writing, and group discussion. Problem-solving scenarioscentered on topics presented in the text chapters. These scenarios lend themselves to in-class group work that reinforces decision-making skills. Five-pointchapter quizzesthat provide a modest check of students' comprehension. Instructors may choose to use the quizzes as an extrinsic incentive for students to read assigned chapters. A samplesyllabus,including an outline of activities for a one-credit or two-credit college learning skills bourse.