I. READING THE TEXT- SQ3R System (Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review)
A. Survey-
Before reading a chapter,
look
at the chapter outline or list of chapter
objectives in the text. Read the summary at the end of the
chapter. Skim the chapter.
B. Question-
As you survey, WRITE DOWN
several of your own questions for each
chapter section, generate questions by rephrasing a section heading,
or read the questions
for each section and at the end of the chapter. These will
be your "files".
C. Read-
When you have established
"files"
for each section of the chapter, review your
first question, begin reading, and continue until you have
discovered
its answer. If you come
to materials that seems to answer an important questin you don't
have a file for, stop and
write down the question.
D. Recite-
When you have found the
answer
to your question, clsoe your eyes and
mentally (or orally) recite the questin and its answer. Then
WRITE DOWN the answer
next to the question. It is important that when your recite
an answer, you put it into your
own words. Do not repeat word for word from the text.
Continue with the next section.
E. Review-
Read over each question and
your written answer and/or prepare a brief
written summary that integrates all of your questions and
answers.
This review need not
take longer than a few minutes, but it is important.
II. STUDYING
Many students confuse "reading" with
"studying".
Studying is an ACTIVE activity,
whereas reading is often very passive.
A. Recitation is an important part of
studying.
Say things out loud.
B. The use of index cards often facilitates this
process, and I strongly recommend that you use
them for
definitions,
scientists' names, chemical symbols, etc.
C. Use the online flashcards I have selected
for you on "Edline".
D. Try some of these sites to reinforce your
learning:
other
interactive areas for biology review,
biology
tutorials
,
biology
animations,
interactive
biology online
E. Outline, do concept maps, try study groups
(if you can stay focused!), make up questions
and answer them.
F. Make sure you can answer all questions within
the chapter and at the end of the
chapter-- and in
your study guide.