Study techniques grouped by type of learning
Why are you studying? What do you hope to achieve? Learning to play a new musical instrument requires a different study technique to learning calculus or learning to make wedding cakes or learning to control your temper. This page will contain brief descriptions of study techniques categorised by learning type.
◇ This page will be updated frequently with new study techniques.
Study techniques for generative learning
Generative learning allows you to apply your knowledge in new situations. This kind of learning is necessary to prepare for tests or exams.
◇ Click on a study technique to see more information about it.
Summarising
- What? Select only the most important ideas and express them in your own words, written or spoken.
- When? After attending a lecture/lesson or after reading a text.
- Note: Consider mapping and drawing for topics involving spatial relationships.
Mapping
What? Select the key words and show the relationships between them using a concept map, mind map or a graphic organiser based on a table
When? After attending a lecture/lesson or after reading a text.
Note: It is OK to use a pencil and paper.
Drawing
What? Select the most important components and create a drawing showing how they are arranged and how they affect each other.
When? After reading a text.
Note: It is BEST to use a pencil and paper.
Self-Explaining
What? Explain the content to yourself. Explain text, diagrams and worked examples.
When? While you are learning.
Note: Particularly effective if you don’t know much about the topic.
Self-testing
What? Explain the content to yourself. Explain text, diagrams and worked examples.
When? While you are learning.
Note: Particularly effective if you don’t know much about the topic.
Teaching
What? Explain the content to someone else. Use diagrams if they are appropriate. Try to answer the other person’s questions.
When? While you are learning.
Note: Don’t quote word for word from the textbook. Use your OWN words.
Enacting
What? Use movements relevant to what you are learning, For example, in anatomy you might point to the relevant parts of your own anatomy. In physics, you might simulate collisions using toy cars. In mathematics, you might walk along imaginary vectors that you are adding.
When? While you are learning.