Winning at Math Series Set II Math Study Skills 11/27/2018 Winning at Math Series Set II Math Study Skills LEARNING RESOURCE SERVICES FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D. Sources This study guide is adapted from the text, “Winning at Math” by Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D., Academic Success Press, Inc., 1997. The author of this presentation, Robert Brownell, Ph.D., Applied Mathematics, University of Virginia, has over 30 years combined experience teaching university level mathematics and training engineers in industrial simulator design and operation. Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Lost in a math course ? Feeling that math is impossible ? Maybe it would help to know that most people feel the same way about math and math homework. Did you know that most people are not trained to study mathematics? That’s right. You can learn how to study mathematics. This study guide can help you learn the study skills that make mathematics easier to learn. It will take persistence and work on your part, but you will start to see results right away. Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

What are “Study Skills for Math” ? 11/27/2018 What are “Study Skills for Math” ? Math is a language of symbols and words. It takes time to assimilate, and requires steady practice. Skill one: establish a regular study time for math and stick to it. Use your study time well and avoid procrastination. Learn how to “Work Smarter” with your available time. Skill two: make your studies more effective with a “hands on” approach to solving math problems. This approach can - improve your learning and retention of math basics reduce or eliminate the need to use rote memorization improve the effectiveness of your exam reviews Skill three: improve your note taking in class. Skill four: ask the help of teachers, tutors, and friends. Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Motivation - It’s hard to find sometimes! 11/27/2018 Motivation - It’s hard to find sometimes! Instead of thinking “I can’t learn math”, consider another approach: Most often, the real reason for poor learning of mathematics is poor study skills, NOT the ability to learn and understand. Tell yourself you are responsible for your own grades. Make sure you are doing all that you reasonably can, realizing that miracles DO happen. More than any other factor, regular practice is the key to absorbing and learning mathematics. Make math study time a high priority. Post your study schedule in a prominent place so you can see it easily every day. Stick to your study schedule. Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Regular Study Time… It works! Set study time hours for a whole week in advance. Knowing when you will study and when you will not makes study more efficient. Schedule hours for tutoring as well. Call Learning Resource Services to arrange tutoring help. Several short study sessions should be scheduled. Don’t try to finish all of your work in one session. Spread your work over several days to let the math sink in. Choose a place to study that is free from distracting sounds and visual images. Having the TV on is not good! Use your study area regularly, reinforcing the process of “settling down” to study and think. Your “warm-up time” will be significantly reduced. Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D. Begin Each Study Session with a Warm-up: define the scope for the session Look over the text and notes for the topics you will cover. Make a list of these topics. Skim the homework problems assigned. Write representative problem numbers with their page number under the appropriate topic. This list defines the scope for your study session(s) and shows where the formulas and tools are for the problems. Some of the problems may look familiar. Warm-up with these, encouraging success. You may need to rework them to reinforce your understanding of the basic principles. Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Study Session - Using a “Hands On” approach working problems. If there are new problems you have not worked, choose the easier ones first. This will reinforce success. Work each problem using the method given by Set I of this series: Write the problem statement in symbols and words Write each solution step in words Write each solution step in math symbols Speak the words as you write them It may seem tedious, but the process can be done in small steps. You can pick up, at any time, where you left off. Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Study Session - Organize Your Scratchwork and Make Note Cards Keep your scratch work to one side of the problem solution so it does not add confusion to your problem. You do not need to take additional time just to decipher your own work. Make it legible the first time. Make note cards for hard to remember problems or concepts. Review them briefly at the beginning and end of each study session. Sounds trivial? Remember, you are reading to understand, not memorize. Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Study Session - Filling the Gaps When you cannot solve a problem using your understanding of the text, use your problem statement in words and symbols and complete as much of the solution as you can. Then seek help from the instructor, a tutor, or friend. With the outline of the problem in words and symbols, others can help you more effectively. You may be pleasantly surprised at how helpful they will be because you made the effort to do it yourself first. End your session on a positive note: do not end on a problem you cannot complete. Work a similar one, or rework a previous problem, to end the session with success and a positive frame of mind! Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Study Session - Ending It At the end of your study session, re-read your work for each problem you reviewed. This verbal summary helps assimilate long-term knowledge. Do not memorize, just read to understand your own work. When you get tired of studying a topic, change the pace and review previously learned material, or take a study break. Learning decreases if you study without breaks. You deserve a break after 30 - 45 minutes of study! Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D. Effective Class Notes Try to improve your note taking in class. Make short phrases of topics the instructor emphasizes. Make a checkmark next to each topic you feel is hard to understand. Ask questions about these topics during or after class. Update your class notes after talking to the instructor, tutor, or friend . Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.

Work with a Tutor, Class, or Friend Find a good tutor who has had the course, or who is trained in the subject. A tutor can help you build an outline of the important math concepts and representative problems, and can help you learn the methods. Always emphasize your need to understand all steps in the solution of math problems. Let the tutor guide while you work the problem. We hope this study guide has been helpful. Learning Resource Services, FGCU Adapted from "Winning at Math", Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.