As preparations get under way for upcoming tests this year, explorations into new study techniques are being examined to help students boost scores and improve retention.
A recent New York Times article discussed experiments presenting the idea that old study habits are less credible, and prove to be more ineffective than other forms that are now in stages of being developed.
On a local level, the Kyrene School District encourages parents to have their children follow a routine of daily study habits, but additional methods are being considered to help students get the most out of their homework assignments.
The Times article specifically notes the concept of changing study locations and spending less time focusing on just one topic.
“…Instead of sticking to one study location, simply alternating the room where a person studies (is shown to) improve retention. So does studying distinct but related skills or concepts in one sitting, rather than focusing intensely on a single thing.”
However, maintaining learning methods that have continued to work in the past is just as important as implementing new forms, Gina Taylor, assistant dean of instructional services for the Kyrene School District, said.
“Common sense things are still important for parents,” she said. “Just being involved, reading to your kids and being interested in what they are learning in school gets them more engaged in their education.”
Although Taylor said she is not aware of any Kyrene teacher recommending alternating rooms to improve learning, she said there are some new techniques involving movement the district is looking at.
“We have a couple of schools that are exploring the use of movement in learning,” she said. “We taught a class to teachers this summer working on the idea of having ‘brain breaks’ to help get the blood flowing.”
During their own “brain breaks” at recent meetings, Kyrene principals got up to work on short activities to get blood circulating and brains working. Having regular breaks during study time can also be beneficial for students, Taylor said.
“For kids who are sitting at home studying, it’s good to get up once in a while to get their blood pumping,” Taylor said. “It can be very beneficial.”
A program at Pueblo Middle School is aiming to implement physical activity throughout the school day for students, Taylor said. One Pueblo social studies teacher recently replaced her classroom chairs with exercise balls to provide more physical movement for students.
What works?
As the Times article hints, maybe it’s time to find other ways of getting your kid to study without locking him in a room at a desk for an extended period of time. But, Taylor said, students need to have a daily routine of study and homework time with parent involvement.
A routine, along with good nutrition and physical activity, is vital to successful learning, she said.
“Keeping the kids hydrated and healthy is a big part of allowing them to learn effectively,” Taylor said. “A lot of brain research talks about the importance of nutrition and hydration.”
In addition to keeping up physical fitness, Taylor said following study habits that have worked in the past will help students learn concepts efficiently.
“We know what works and what doesn’t; we do know that studying over time is much more effective than cramming at the last minute,” she said.
“Revisiting material multiple times at a shorter duration is much more effective. When you cram for a test, you may pass it, but the information just simply doesn’t stick.”
Taylor said research has also shown that allowing the brain to process things in various forms, such as utilizing graphics as well as text, can be helpful for students learning new concepts.
“Having kids draw diagrams at home of what they learned is a great way to get them engaged,” Taylor said.
“Summarizing is also a powerful tool to help kids understand new information.”
One thing that has changed in the classroom is presenting math to students. Instead of learning math facts in numerical order, students focus on number patterns first, for example twos and fives.
“Now, we know it’s much easier to work with patterns,” she said. “It’s how we function; our brain loves patterns.”
Taylor said a group of Kyrene teachers will also be going to a meeting on gaming and learning.
“Technology now provides this immediate feedback for students that we didn’t have before,” she said.
“If we could deliver that in the field of education, in a better way, it would help learning.”
Gina Taylor, Ed.D., has worked in the Kyrene District for 30 years. Before being named assistant superintendent of instructional services, Taylor was principal of Kyrene de la Paloma Elementary School.
