Chapter 8 Learning Activities
Stevy Scarbrough
The purpose of these activities is to enhance key skills that will support students’ academic success, focusing on effective note-taking, studying, academic integrity, and test preparation. These activities encourage students to actively practice and reflect on strategies that are essential for mastering course material and succeeding in assessments. These activities will help students meet the following learning objectives:
LO1. Demonstrate using two different note taking methods on the same reading material.
LO2. Demonstrate annotating your notes and reflect on your notetaking preferences.
LO3. Demonstrate two different study methods and reflect on your experience.
LO4. Develop a test taking plan using the strategies you learned about for an upcoming exam or quiz and reflect on your experience.
Activity 8.1 Notetaking Method I
Choose a reading assignment you have for one of your classes and take notes using one of the visual note taking methods: Concept Mapping or Sketchnoting. (If you do not have any reading that you need to complete please request a reading from me.)
Paste a screenshot of your notes below.
Then answer the following questions:
- What was your note taking experience like using a visual method (concept mapping or sketchnoting)?
- What types of assignments/readings/classes/subjects might you find this note taking method useful for?
- Do you think you’ll try to incorporate this method of note taking in the future? Why or why not?
Activity 8.2 Notetaking Method II
Use the same reading as the previous activity and take notes using one of the written note taking methods: Cornell or Outline.
Paste a screenshot or write/type your notes below.
Then answer the following questions:
- What was your note taking experience like using a written method (Cornell or Outlining)?
- What types of assignments/readings/classes/subjects might you find this note taking method useful for?
- Do you think you’ll try to incorporate this method of note taking in the future? Why or why not?
Activity 8.3 Annotating Your Notes
Annotate the written notes you took above using one of the techniques described in the reading and paste a screenshot below of your annotated notes.
Then answer the questions below:
- What types of information did you add to your notes in your annotations?
- What types of assignments/readings/classes/subjects might you find annotating your notes useful for?
- Do you think you’ll try to annotate your notes in the future? Why or why not?
Activity 8.4 Practice the Pomodoro Study Technique
Follow the Steps of the Pomodoro Technique for studying when you have at least a 1-hour time block to study.
- Decide on the task to be done. (What class/topic? Are you reading, taking notes, reviewing?)
- Set your time for 25 minutes.
- Work on the task.
- When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. You have just finished one pomodoro.
- Go back and repeat Steps 1-4. To keep your mind from wandering or getting bored, you can switch to a
different class/topic, or stick with the class/topic you started with. You can continue doing as many
Pomodoros in a row as you like to fit into your study session. If you are going to do more than 4 in a row,
make sure you give yourself a long break of 15-30 minutes before you do more.
After you have finished your study sessions answer the questions below.
- Were you able to maintain focus during each 25-minute Pomodoro session? If not, what types of things distracted you?
- Did you study for the same class in each session or change up your study topic for each session?
- What are your thoughts about using the Pomodoro technique for studying?
- Will you use the Pomodoro Technique to study in the future? Why or why not
Activity 8.5 Practice the Spacing Study Technique
Use this for a quiz or exam that you have coming up.
- When is your quiz or exam?
- What days and times will you study for this quiz or exam? Should be at least 3 different days spread out over the week.
Answer the questions below after you have finished your spaced study and taken your quiz or exam.
- How well did you adhere to the spaced study schedule that you set for yourself?
- Did you feel better prepared for your quiz or exam or did you feel the same as your previous exams?
- Will you utilize the spaced study technique in the future? Why or why not?
Activity 8.6 Develop a Test Taking Plan
Use the skills you learned and have practiced in previous activities to develop a test taking plan that you will use for your future exams.
Address the questions below.
- In the past, how have you prepared for your exams?
- How much time do you typically spend studying?
- Do you experience any stress, anxiety, or other negative effects related to taking exams?
- What sorts of activities or practices help you to destress/focus/feel more prepared for taking exams?
- When is your next exam this term? How far away is it from now?
- Write yourself a detailed study schedule using spacing. What material will you review each study session, be specific.
- After your exam discuss what impact the plan had on helping you prepare for and take the exam. What practices will you use for future exams?
