Importance of Out-of-Class Study

Context

• Video discusses studying time spent with material out of class or assignments.
• Provides context for the rest of the module.

Class Time Comparison

High School Course

• Full year high school course = One semester college course.
• Meets for two semesters (15 weeks each), 5 times a week for about 1 hour.
• Results in about 150 hours of course time.

College Course

• Equivalent college course meets for one semester (about 15 weeks).
• Meets 3 times a week for 1 hour.
• Results in about 45 hours of course instruction.
• Difference: Just over 100 hours.

Expectation in College

• Expected to spend over 100 hours on out-of-class learning to make up the difference.
• Importance of developing skills to spend time outside of class learning and using that time effectively.
• Essential for long-term learning.

Studying in the Learning Diagram

Enhances Learning

• Storage Strength: Enhances understanding and elaboration of ideas.
• Retrieval Strength: Enhances ability to retrieve ideas through retrieval practice.
• Helps to store ideas in long-term memory and access them quickly.

Learning Diagram

• Elaboration and retrieval fit into the learning cycle.
• Working memory gets better at accessing and using stored information to solve problems.
• Learning: The process of improving ability to solve questions or problems by accessing stored knowledge.

Studying Phases

Immediate Review

• Same day or soon after class: Reengage material for 25 minutes.
• Elaboration: Ensure understanding and network with other knowledge.
• Retrieval: Practice quizzes or explain the idea to others.

Ongoing Review

• Before the next class period (ideally 3 times a week): Spend 25 minutes on older content.
• Elaboration: Look up ideas not understood, create new examples, draw out ideas in sketch form.
• Retrieval: Quiz on key concepts or explain ideas to peers.

Effective Study

• Spacing out study sessions as the learning cycle suggests leads to more effective and efficient learning.
• Effective study should be effortful and mentally tiring.
• Module strategies will encourage deep thinking.