Lecture on Elaboration as a Study Strategy

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. Althea Need Kaminsky
• Affiliation: Professor at Saint Bonaventure University, Member of the Learning Scientist Team
• Focus: Using science to develop effective study strategies

Elaboration as a Study Strategy

• Definition: Elaboration involves asking "how" and "why" questions about the study material.
• Purpose: Helps students develop a deeper understanding of the material.

Key Techniques

Asking Questions

• Ask questions like "How are these the same?" and "How are they different?"
• Example: When studying drinks like tea and coffee, ask:
  • How are these drinks similar?
  • How are they different?
  • Why might you choose one over the other?
• Importance: Ensure questions are relevant to the material.
• Note: Asking irrelevant questions (e.g., "Why is one cup clear and one cup white?") may not contribute to learning.

Making Connections

• Between Ideas:
  • Identify similarities and differences between concepts.
• To Personal Experience:
  • Relate ideas to personal experiences or memories.
  • Apply learned concepts to everyday situations.

Ensuring Accuracy

• Verify explanations with course materials or consult a teacher.
• Accurate explanations are crucial before moving to self-retrieval.

Retrieval Practice

• Once confident in explanations, practice retrieving information without looking at notes.
• This strengthens elaboration through memory recall.

Summary

• Elaboration is an effective study strategy for deep understanding.
• Relevant questioning and connecting ideas are central to successful elaboration.
• Ensure accuracy and engage in retrieval practice to maximize effectiveness.