1. Study Skills to be Successful in Mathematics Courses Developed by Kathy Sturgeon The more math you know the better job you can get. Statistics Prove It!

2. Reasons For Not Doing Well Cognitive –Prior math knowledge –How fast you learn math Quality of Instruction –Teacher –Tutor –Learning styles Affective Characteristics –Anxiety –Attitude –Study skills –Personality –Self concepts

3. Cognitive levels of learning Knowledge –recalling information Comprehension –translating or interpreting information Application –using principles to solve problems Analysis –breaking down ideas Synthesis –creation of something that did not exist Evaluation – judging something against given standard (student)

4. 7 WAYS OF KNOWING MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE Logical/Mathematical Intelligence Visual/Spatial Intelligence Body/Kinesthetic Intelligence Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence Intrapersonal Intelligence Interpersonal Intelligence

5. External vs. Internal Student External Students –Expects teacher to do it all –Doesn’t use test preparation skills –Doesn’t take responsibility Internal Students –Takes responsibility –Goes for tutorials –Set-ups appointments with instructors

6. Learning Strategies for Achievement Rehearsal Elaboration-own words, does it make sense Organization-concept maps, outlines, and big picture & making connections Resource Management-location and materials Evaluation-deep/surface learning, what do I need, how do I get there, what do I have trouble with, have I done the above

7. Test Preparation Reviewing textbook-pay attention to highlighted notes and chapter summaries be sure you understand Review notes & do problems-short term memory to long term memory Review old test-look for systematic errors Pretest-create and take pretest or take end of chapter test (as a real test) in order to know what you don’t know Study Groups-talk about math problems Calculator-know your calculators and how to use to solve problems before the exams

8. Be Prepared To get ready for an exam you should: ASK the instructor what information the exam will cover and whether it will be an objective or essay exam REVIEW all lecture and reading notes KEEP rereading of texts to a minimum CHECK your recall of facts by reciting them aloud TRY to predict and answer possible test questions

9. Review Test for Errors Misreading direction-misunderstand, not completing Careless Errors-should be able to fix immediately Concept Errors-didn’t know how Application errors

10. Review Test for Errors cont. Find where most questions are missed (divide in thirds) Reviewing steps in problems-where do you make mistakes Find out about answer changing Setting time limits for each questions-do you have a ego problem

11. Review Test for Errors cont. Check easy questions-are you making mental errors Comparing scratch work to answers Are you doing the ten steps of test taking

12. Ten Steps to Taking Tests Memory Data Dump-write facts, formulas, etc that you may forget Preview test-look for the easy questions (mark them) and locate the large point problems Second Memory Dump-if you get a spark of how to do a problem write it down & expand on first dump (if it’s written you won’t lose it.) Test Progress Schedule- decide the best way to get the most points in the least amount of time –Allow extra time in end –Schedule more than half the problems in half the time –Skip questions (don’t let your ego get in the way) Answer easy questions

13. Ten Steps to Taking Test cont. Skip Difficult Answers –Read it twice. You can be working on two problems at once. If you have a light bulb thought go back and write it down. –Set a time limit. Review skipped questions –brainstorm and limit time – allow yourself to skip again Guess at remaining questions-never leave a blank –Partial credit –Some remember by writing Review entire test and know yourself –Look for careless errors –Check answers by evaluating –Redo on separate paper Use all of your test time

14. Test Anxiety It’s a learned behavior Two types –Cognitive Anxiety-pre- determine that you can’t do well because it’s math; negative self talk Stop the negative talk Do easy problem first –Symptomatic Anxiety- physical characteristics or illness What to Do Study more but know it may not take all anxiety away Learn relaxation skills –Visual Imaginary-a scene that relaxes you and think positive thoughts “I can do…” –Focus on breathing techniques –Tensing and relaxing- physical activity before hand

15. Test Anxiety-Continued Be Optimistic Encourage yourself with positive thinking (“I can do well on this test.” “I can compete with these people.” etc. Don’t allow a disappointing past performance to affect your attitude toward the test at hand

16. Master Test-Taking Skills Knowing how to take tests can help to reduce stress. Be sure to: READ all directions carefully SURVEY the test. Will certain sections count more? Will certain questions take more time? BUDGET your time OUTLINE answers for essays WORK on only one question at a time MARK difficult items and return to them later CONCENTRATE only on what you’re doing

17. Information taken from Spencer Kagan Paul Nolting www.dacc.cc.il.us/~kjenkins/Math101success.html PowerPoint Design by Nichole Hawkins