Keys to Effective Learning

by Carter, Carol; Bishop, Joyce; Kravits, Sarah Lyman; Bucher, Richard D.

• ISBN13: 9780130128829
• ISBN10: 0130128821
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-11-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

For Freshman Orientation and Student Success courses with an emphasis on study skills. This book focuses on developing effective learning techniques to help students excel in school, in their careers and throughout their lives as lifelong learners. Unlike traditional study skills texts, this one emphasizes how students learn effectively by involving them in the active process of mastering their mental abilities and their personal confidence.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Preface	xv
Acknowledgments	xix
Supplements	xxiii
About the Authors	xxvii
Part 1 Defining Yourself and Your Goals
Becoming a Lifelong Learner: Opening Doors	3	(38)
Thinking It Through	3	(1)
Who Is Pursuing an Education Today?	4	(1)
The Diverse Student Body	4	(1)
How Does Education Promote Success?	5	(2)
What Resources Are Available at Your School?	7	(8)
People	8	(1)
Student Services	9	(1)
Organizations	9	(3)
Literature	12	(1)
Technology	13	(1)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	14	(1)
How Can You Strive for Success?	15	(5)
Get Motivated	16	(1)
Make a Commitment	17	(1)
Show Initiative	18	(1)
Be Responsible	18	(1)
Face Your Fears	19	(1)
How Can You Build Your Self-esteem?	20	(3)
Think Positively	20	(1)
Take Action	21	(1)
Academic Integrity	22	(1)
What Is Your Role in a Diverse World?	23	(18)
Diversity Is Real Life	25	(1)
Diversity and Teamwork	25	(1)
Living Your Role	26	(1)
Important Points to Remember	27	(14)
Goal Setting and Time Management: Mapping Your Course	41	(38)
Thinking It Through	41	(1)
What Defines Your Values?	42	(1)
Choosing and Evaluating Values	42	(1)
How Values Relate to Goals	43	(6)
How Do You Set and Achieve Goals?	43	(1)
Identifying Your Personal Mission Statement	43	(1)
Placing Goals in Time	44	(3)
Linking Goals with Values	47	(1)
Different Kinds of Goals	47	(2)
What Are Your Priorities?	49	(4)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	51	(2)
How Can You Manage Your Time?	53	(7)
Building a Schedule	54	(3)
Taking Responsibility for How You Spend Your Time	57	(2)
Being Flexible	59	(1)
Why Is Procrastination a Problem?	60	(19)
Anti-procrastination Strategies	60	(2)
Important Points to Remember	62	(17)
Self-awareness: Knowing Who You Are and How You Learn	79	(34)
Thinking It Through	79	(1)
Is There One Best Way to Learn?	80	(1)
How Can You Discover Your Learning Styles?	80	(4)
Multiple Intelligences Theory	80	(3)
The Reasonable Approach to Learning Style	83	(1)
What Are the Benefits of Knowing Your Learning Styles?	84	(7)
Study Benefits	84	(3)
Classroom Benefits	87	(1)
General Benefits	88	(2)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	90	(1)
How Do You Explore Who You Are?	91	(5)
Self-perception	92	(1)
Interests	93	(1)
Habits	94	(1)
Abilities	95	(1)
How Can You Start Thinking about Choosing a Major?	96	(17)
Exploring Potential Majors	97	(1)
Planning Your Curriculum	98	(1)
Linking Majors to Career Areas	98	(1)
Changing Majors	99	(1)
Important Points to Remember	100	(13)
PART 2 Setting the Stage for Learning
Critical and Creative Thinking: Tapping the Power of Your Mind	113	(42)
Thinking It Through	113	(1)
What Is Critical Thinking?	114	(7)
A Critical-Thinking Response to a Statement	115	(1)
The Value of Critical Thinking	116	(1)
Learning How Your Mind Works Through the Thinktrix	117	(3)
How Mind Actions Build Thinking Processes	120	(1)
How Does Critical Thinking Help You Solve Problems and Make Decisions?	121	(7)
Problem Solving	121	(2)
Decision Making	123	(3)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	126	(2)
How Do You Construct an Effective Argument?	128	(1)
How Do You Establish Truth?	128	(4)
Distinguishing Fact from Opinion	129	(1)
Challenging Assumptions	130	(2)
Why Shift Your Perspective?	132	(2)
Why Plan Strategically?	134	(1)
How Can You Develop Your Creativity?	135	(3)
Characteristics of Creative People	136	(1)
Enhancing Your Creativity	136	(1)
Brainstorming Toward a Creative Answer	137	(1)
Creativity and Critical Thinking	137	(1)
What Is Media Literacy?	138	(17)
Important Points to Remember	140	(15)
Reading and Studying: Your Keys to Knowledge	155	(44)
Thinking It Through	155	(1)
What Challenges Does College Reading Present?	156	(9)
Working Through Difficult Texts	156	(1)
Managing Distractions	157	(2)
Building Comprehension and Speed	159	(3)
Expanding Your Vocabulary	162	(3)
Why Define Your Purpose for Reading?	165	(3)
Purpose Determines Reading Strategy	165	(1)
Purpose Determines Pace	166	(1)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	166	(2)
How Can SQ3R Help You Own What You Read?	168	(6)
Survey-Question-Read-Recite-Review (SQ3R)	168	(4)
Putting SQ3R to Work	172	(2)
How Can You Respond Critically to What You Read?	174	(4)
Use SQ3R to ``Taste'' Reading Material	174	(1)
Ask Questions Based on the Mind Actions	175	(1)
Engage Critical-Thinking Processes	176	(1)
Be Media Literate	177	(1)
Seek Understanding	178	(1)
How and Why Should You Study with Others?	178	(3)
Benefits	178	(2)
Strategies for Study Group Success	180	(1)
How Can You ``Read'' Visual Aids?	181	(18)
Understanding Tables	181	(1)
Understanding Charts	182	(2)
Important Points to Remember	184	(15)
Listening and Memory: Taking In and Remembering Information	199	(38)
Thinking It Through	199	(1)
How Can You Become a Better Listener?	200	(9)
Know the Stages of Listening	202	(1)
Manage Listening Challenges	203	(2)
Become an Active Listener	205	(3)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	208	(1)
How Does Memory Work?	209	(1)
How Can You Improve Your Memory?	210	(7)
Use Specific Memory Strategies	211	(5)
Make the Most of Last-Minute Studying	216	(1)
Use Critical Thinking	217	(1)
How Can You Use Mnemonic Devices to Boost Memory Power?	217	(5)
Create Visual Images and Associations	219	(2)
Create Acronyms	221	(1)
How Can Tape Recorders Help You Listen and Remember?	222	(15)
Important Points to Remember	224	(13)
PART 3 Targeting Success in School
Note Taking and Library Research: Learning from Others	237	(42)
Thinking It Through	237	(1)
How Does Taking Notes Help You?	238	(1)
How Can You Make the Most of Class Notes?	239	(4)
Preparing to Take Class Notes	239	(1)
What to Do During Class	239	(2)
Make Notes a Valuable After-Class Reference	241	(2)
What Are Research Notes and How Can You Use Them?	243	(1)
What Note-Taking System Should You Use?	244	(6)
Taking Notes in Outline Form	245	(2)
Using the Cornell Note-Taking System	247	(1)
Creating a Think Link	248	(2)
Other Visual Note-Taking Strategies	250	(1)
How Can You Write Faster When Taking Notes?	250	(4)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	252	(2)
How Can You Make the Most of Your Library?	254	(4)
Start with a Road Map	254	(1)
Learn How to Conduct an Information Search	255	(3)
How Do You Use a Search Strategy to Conduct Research?	258	(21)
Use General Reference Works	258	(1)
Search Specialized Reference Works	259	(1)
Browse Through Books on Your Subject	260	(1)
Use Periodical Indexes to Search for Periodicals	261	(2)
Search the Internet	263	(1)
Ask the Librarian	263	(1)
Use Critical Thinking to Evaluate Every Source	264	(1)
Important Points to Remember	265	(14)
Effective Writing: Communicating Your Message	279	(40)
Thinking It Through	279	(1)
Why Does Good Writing Matter?	280	(1)
What Are the Elements of Effective Writing?	281	(4)
Writing Purpose	282	(1)
Knowing Your Audience	282	(2)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	284	(1)
What Is the Writing Process?	285	(34)
Planning	285	(7)
Drafting	292	(5)
Revising	297	(4)
Editing	301	(4)
Important Points to Remember	305	(14)
Test Taking: Showing What You Know	319	(36)
Thinking It Through	319	(1)
How Can Preparation Help Improve Test Scores?	320	(7)
Identify Test Type and Materials Covered	320	(1)
Choose Study Materials	321	(1)
Set a Study Schedule	321	(1)
Prepare Through Critical Thinking	321	(1)
Take a Pretest	322	(1)
Create an Organized Study Plan	322	(1)
Prepare Physically	322	(1)
Work Through Test Anxiety	322	(4)
Studying for a Test When There Are Children Around	326	(1)
What General Strategies Can Help You Succeed on Tests?	327	(5)
Write Down Key Facts	327	(1)
Begin with an Overview of the Exam	327	(1)
Read Test Directions	328	(1)
Work from Easy to Hard	328	(1)
Watch the Clock	328	(1)
Master the Art of Intelligent Guessing	328	(1)
Follow Directions on Machine-Scored Tests	329	(1)
Use Critical Thinking to Avoid Errors	329	(1)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	330	(2)
How Can You Master Different Types of Test Questions?	332	(6)
Multiple Choice Questions	332	(2)
True-or-False Questions	334	(1)
Essay Questions	335	(3)
What Techniques Will Help Improve Performance on Math Tests?	338	(1)
How Can You Learn from Test Mistakes?	339	(16)
Important Points to Remember	340	(15)
PART 4 A Personal Focus
Relating to Others: Appreciating Your Diverse World	355	(32)
Thinking It Through	355	(1)
How Can You Understand and Accept Others?	356	(9)
Diversity in Your World	356	(1)
The Positive Effects of Diversity	357	(1)
Barriers to Understanding	357	(5)
Accepting and Dealing with Differences	362	(1)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	363	(2)
How Can You Express Yourself Effectively?	365	(3)
Addressing Communication Issues	365	(3)
How Do Your Personal Relationships Define You?	368	(1)
Relationship Strategies	368	(1)
How Can You Handle Conflict and Criticism?	369	(3)
Conflict Strategies	370	(1)
Dealing with Criticism and Feedback	370	(2)
What Role Do You Play in Groups?	372	(15)
Being an Effective Participant	374	(1)
Being an Effective Leader	374	(2)
Important Points to Remember	376	(11)
Personal Wellness: Taking Care of Yourself	387	(36)
Thinking It Through	387	(1)
How Can You Maintain a Healthy Body?	388	(4)
Eating Right	388	(1)
Exercising	389	(2)
Getting Enough Sleep	391	(1)
How Do You Nurture a Healthy Mind?	392	(8)
Dealing with Stress	392	(3)
Emotional Disorders	395	(3)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	398	(2)
How Are Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs Used and Abused?	400	(7)
Alcohol	400	(1)
Tobacco	401	(1)
Drugs	402	(1)
Identifying and Overcoming Addiction	402	(5)
What Should You Consider When Making Sexual Decisions?	407	(16)
Sex and Critical Thinking	407	(2)
Birth Control	409	(1)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases	409	(3)
Important Points to Remember	412	(11)
PART 5 Preparing For The Future
Managing Career and Money: Reality Resources	423	(34)
Thinking It Through	423	(1)
How Can You Plan Your Career?	424	(4)
Define a Career Path	424	(2)
Map Out Your Strategy	426	(1)
Know What Employers Want	427	(1)
How Can You Juggle Work and School?	428	(6)
Effects of Working While in School	429	(1)
Establishing Your Needs	430	(1)
Sources of Job Information	430	(3)
Making a Strategic Job Search Plan	433	(1)
What Should You Know about Financial Aid?	434	(5)
Student Loans	435	(1)
Grants and Scholarships	436	(2)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	438	(1)
How Can You Create a Budget That Works?	439	(18)
The Art of Budgeting	440	(1)
A Sample Budget	441	(1)
Savings Strategies	442	(1)
Managing Credit Cards	443	(3)
Important Points to Remember	446	(11)
Moving Ahead: Building a Flexible Future	457
Thinking It Through	457	(1)
How Can You Live With Change?	458	(3)
Accept the Reality of Change	458	(1)
Maintain Flexibility	458	(2)
Adjust Your Goals	460	(1)
What Will Help You Handle Success and Failure?	461	(6)
Dealing with Failure	461	(3)
Dealing with Success	464	(1)
Thinking Back, Thinking Ahead	465	(2)
Why Give Back to the Community and the World?	467	(2)
Your Imprint on the World	467	(1)
Valuing Your Environment	468	(1)
Why Is College Just the Beginning of Lifelong Learning?	469	(2)
How Can You Live Your Mission?	471
Live with Integrity	471	(2)
Roll with the Changes	473	(1)
Learn from Role Models	474	(1)
Aim for Your Personal Best	474	(1)
Important Points to Remember	475
Appendix 1 Researching Information and Student Resources on the Internet	A-1	(1)
Appendix 2 Learning Styles Assessments	A-25	(1)
Endnotes	E-1	(1)
Bibliography	B-1	(1)
Index	I-1