Acing Courses and Law School Exams:  Metacognition is the Key!

Saundra Yancy McGuire, Ph.D.Assistant Vice Chancellor

Professor, Department of ChemistryPast Director, Center for Academic Success

Louisiana State University

Suffolk’s Mission StatementSuffolk University Law School… is dedicated to welcoming students from all backgrounds and circumstances and educating them to become highly skilled and ethical lawyers who are well-prepared to serve in their local communities, across the nation, and around the world. …the Law School seeks to develop in its students the skills necessary to serve the profession's changing needs in an increasingly diverse, global and technologically-dependent society. … Suffolk meets that challenge by providing students …excellent training by a diverse and accessible faculty engaged in scholarship and service to their profession and communities. Suffolk's goal is to provide its students with access to an excellent legal education, inspire a commitment to justice, and provide its graduates the opportunity to achieve their career aspirations.

The Suffolk Faculty WANT You to Succeed!

YOU CAN DO IT!

“After taking in all your information, I have applied it all and have received, as you expected, amazing results.  No shock there.  The system works. FACT! I am very excited for myself.  School is more enjoyable and I have more free time.  With my original goal as a 4.0 gpa this semester, I am still running to catch it and will not stop.”

“I went home after meeting with you and tried out the study tips you explained and, sure enough, I understand twice as much as I did before! I did some concept mapping and it helped so much! I am much more excited to study now.”

“This approach has helped me actually remember and learn what I have studied instead of just memorizing it.”

Notes from

Students

What we will cover today

Why law school students may be inefficient learnersMetacognitive learning strategies that work, and why they workBarriers to using these strategies and how to overcome themStrategies for acing the law school courses and the bar exam

The Story of Two Students

Travis, a psychology student 47, 52, 82, 86 B in course

Robert, a chemistry student 42, 100, 100, 100 A in course

Travis, psychology student47, 52, 82, 86

Problem: Reading Comprehension

Solution: Preview text before readingDevelop questionsRead one paragraph at a time and paraphrase information

Robert, chemistry student 42, 100, 100, 100Problem: Using examples to do

homework problems

Solution: Study information before trying homework problemUse example to test skillDo homework problems as if doing a test or quiz (no looking

at solution manual or examples!)

How’d They Do It?

They became expert, strategic learners

by using metacognition!

They studied to LEARN, not just to make the grade!

Reflection Questions

What’s the difference, if any, between studying and learning? Which, if either, is more fun?

For which task would you work harder?A. Do well on a on a testB. Teach the material to the class

To Ace Law School AND the Bar Exam…

Stay in learn mode, not study mode

Study as if you have to teach the material, not just make an A on the test

Use Metacognition to Become an Expert

Learner

MetacognitionThe ability to:

think about thinkingbe consciously aware of oneself as a problem solverto monitor and control one’s mental processingto be aware of the type of learning that you are doingknow your learning style (www.cas.lsu.edu)

Learning Strategies Should be Based on

Learning Style

Learning StylesInfluence how we take in information from the outside worldInfluence how we process informationInfluence how we interact with othersInfluence our motivation for learning different subjectsInfluence our frustration level with learning tasks

www.cas.lsu.edu

Brain Dominance

Personality

Sensory Preference

Learning Style Diagnostics

Sensory Preference

Visual: prefers pictures, symbols, charts, graphs, concept maps, etc.

Aural or auditory: prefers hearing lectures, reading notes out loud, etc.

Read/write: prefers flashcards, notes, lists, outlines, etc.

Kinesthetic: prefers direct experience, mapping, charting, experiments, visualizing action, etc.

Strategies, NOT intelligence or

ability, will determine your success in law school and beyond!

Counting Vowels in 45 seconds

How accurate are you?

Count all the vowels in the words on the next slide.

Dollar BillDiceTricycleFour-leaf CloverHandSix-PackSeven-UpOctopus

Cat LivesBowling PinsFootball TeamDozen EggsUnlucky FridayValentine’s DayQuarter Hour

How many words or phrases do you remember?

Let’s look at the words again…

What are they arranged according to?

23

Dollar BillDiceTricycleFour-leaf CloverHandSix-PackSeven-UpOctopus

Cat LivesBowling PinsFootball TeamDozen EggsUnlucky FridayValentine’s DayQuarter Hour

What are the words arranged according to?

NOW, how many words or phrases do you remember?

What were two major

differences

between the 1st and 2nd

attempts?

1. We knew what the task was

2. We knew how the information

was organized

Turning Yourself into an Efficient, Expert Learner

Focus on learning and on teaching the informationDo “think aloud” exercisesConstantly ask yourself “why” and “what if” questionsAlways test your understanding by verbalizing or writing about concepts; practice retrieval of informationMove your activities higher on the Bloom’s taxonomy scale by comparing and contrasting, thinking of analogies, thinking of new pathways, etc.

Evaluation

Synthesis

Analysis

Application

Comprehension

Knowledge

Making decisions and supporting views; requires

understanding of values.

Combining information to form a unique product; requires creativity and

originality.

Using information to solve problems; transferring abstract or theoretical

ideas to practical situations. Identifying

connections and relationships and how

they apply.Restating in

your own words;

paraphrasing, summarizing, translating.Memorizing verbatim

information. Being able to remember, but not

necessarily fully understanding the

material.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Louisiana State University Center for Academic Success B-31 Coates Hall 225-578-2872 www.cas.lsu.edu

Identifying components; determining

arrangement, logic, and semantics.

Gra

du

ate

S

chool

Un

derg

rad

uat

eH

igh

Sch

ool

This pyramid depicts the different levels of thinking we use when learning. Notice how each level builds on the foundation that

precedes it. It is required that we learn the lower levels before we can effectively use the skills above.

At what level of Bloom’s did you have to operate to make A’s or B’s in college?

1. Knowledge2. Comprehension3. Application4. Analysis5. Synthesis6. Evaluation

At what level of Bloom’s do you think you’ll have to operate to make A’s in law school?

1. Knowledge2. Comprehension3. Application4. Analysis5. Synthesis6. Evaluation

How do you move yourself higher on Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Use the Study Cycle!

4Reflec

t

4Refle

ct

3Revie

w

The Study Cycle

1 Set a Goal (1-2 min) Decide what you want to accomplish in your study session

2 Study with Focus (30-50 min) Interact with material- organize, concept map, summarize, process, re-read, fill-in notes, reflect, etc.

3 Reward Yourself (10-15 min) Take a break– call a friend, play a short game, get a snack

4 Review (5 min) Go over what you just studied

*Intense Study Sessions

Attend

Review

Study

Attend class – GO TO CLASS! Answer and ask questions and take meaningful notes.

Preview before class – Skim the chapter, note headings and boldface words, review summaries and chapter objectives, and come up with questions you’d like the lecture to answer for you.

Review after class – As soon after class as possible, read notes, fill in gaps and note any questions.

Assess your Learning – Periodically perform reality checks• Am I using study methods that are effective?• Do I understand the material enough to teach it to others?

Preview

Center for Academic SuccessB-31 Coates Hall ▪ 225.578.2872 ▪www.cas.lsu.edu

Assess

Study – Repetition is the key. Ask questions such as ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘what if’.

• Intense Study Sessions* - 3-5 short study sessions per day• Weekend Review – Read notes and material from the week to make

connections

Concept Mapping

A visual manipulative approach to learning

Excellent tool for content/concept analysis

Organize and manipulate concepts, ideas, theories and other material in a visual format.

Can be used for learning, teaching, organizing, problem-solving, decision-making and brainstorming.

Offers simplicity and clarity to complex, multifaceted material.

Create a Chapter/Research Paper Map

Chapter/Title of Paper

Primary Headings

SubheadingsSecondary Subheadings

Compare and Contrast

Concept #1 Concept #2

How are they similar?

How are they different?

Persuasive Writing or Critical AnalysisThesis

Details

ViewpointViewpoint

Details

Conclusion

Reasons, Facts, Examples Reasons, Facts, Examples

Time Management isLife Management

Tools for organizing your life:

Fixed Schedules “Semester-at-a-Peek”“Week-at-a-Peek”

PlannersTo Do Lists

TodayThis WeekSticky Notes

The Semester Schedule

M Aug. 1 8 15ClassesBegin!

22 29 6 13 20

T 2 9 16 23Math Quiz

30 7Math Quiz

14 21

W 3 10 17 24 Oct. 1 8 15Spanish

Exam

22

Th 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23MathExam

F 5 12 19 26 3Science

Quiz

10 17 24English

Paper due

S 6 13 20 27 4 11Going to

Game

18GoingHome

25

S 7 14 21 28 5 12 19Home

26continued

The “Week at a Peek” Schedule

M T W TH F SA SU

7-8

8-9 Math Math Math

9-10 English English English Service

10-11 Chemistry Chemistry

11-12

12-1 Tennis

1-2 French French French Tennis

2-3 Biology Tennis Biology Tennis Biology

3-4 Work Work Work Work

4-5 Work Work Work Work

5-6 Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner

7-8

8-9

9-10

10-11

11-12

12-1

1-2

2-3

3-4

4-5

5-6

Weekly Master To Do List

a a a a a

Week of Monday ____________________________

to Sunday ____________________________

Class: Class: Class: Other:Class:

Download this form in the Time Management Online workshop at www.lsu.edu/learn

Tips to remember...

Use daylight hours wisely!

1 day light hour =about 1 1/2 evening

hours.

Learning tips

from recent law school graduates

1   Use the reading strategy – it works!

2 Get an upper-class student to show you how s/he learned the material

3 Concentrate on the big picture, knowing how the details fit into it

4 DON’T GET BEHIND!

5 Use the resources – don’t be ashamed!

6 The BEST resource is on the next slide!

 

The goal of the Academic Support Program (ASP) is for students to make the most out of their abilities. To accomplish this goal, the faculty conduct weekly classes on such diverse topics as: Legal Analysis and Writing; Course Outlining; and Time Management. In addition, the faculty will conduct seminars on a variety of topics, such as Legal Writing for Law School Exams and Preparing for Oral Presentations, during the course of the academic year.The program is staffed by three full-time members of the faculty: Professor Herbert N. Ramy (director); Professor Janet Fisher; and Professor Elizabeth Stillman. All three have a great deal of experience in legal education and specialize in assisting students who are struggling in law school. If you are struggling to master any aspect of your legal education, the professors in the Academic Support Program can help. Students are encouraged to contact any ASP Professor to set up an appointment.

SUFFOLK ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAM

Tips for Acing Law School Exams*

1  Work Early, Work Often2  Learn to Issue-Spot

3  Outline, Outline, Outline

4 Go Solo (or small, focused study group)

5 Study Your Profs (read their writing)

6 Chill Out Before the Test (You’re ready!)

7  Slow down (Analyze the entire test first)

8 Kill the post mortems*www.lawcrossing.com/article/36/Acing-Law-School-Exams-Grade-A-Advice/#

Tips for Acing the Bar Exam

1  Use the Learning Strategies We’ve Discussed and Ace Suffolk University Law School!

2 Use The Ultimate Bar Exam Preparation Guide at www.barexammind.com/wp-content/uploads/The%20Ultimate%2 0Bar%20Exam%20Preparation%20 Resource%20Guide.pdf

3 Visit www.passingthebar.org

4 Be confident - Suffolk has prepared you!

ABC’s of Excellence

Adopt the right ATTITUDE

Begin appropriate BEHAVIOR

Consistently make a COMMITMENT

Attitude

“It’s your attitude, not your aptitude,

that determines your altitude.”

Zig Ziglar

BehaviorIt’s the difference between knowing

and doing that determines success.

Anonymous

Don’t let other folks hijack your

future!

Commitment

It’s not over ‘til it’s over, and YOU determine when it’s over!

Change strategies when necessary, but never give up

your goals. If you can dream it, you can achieve it!

So, What Can You Do, Starting Nowto Ensure that You’ll THRIVE in Law School?

Spend more time studying (try for 2 hours/week for every hour in class)Aim for higher learning levels and 100% masteryUse the Academic Support Program, office hours, and study groups productivelyUse the Study CycleUse Metacognition to Study Smarter!!!

What was most useful was identifying my learning style and the importance of using my learning style to learn, not memorize

My level of confidence has increased because I am taking advantage of the opportunities here and understand what type of learner I am

What caused me to change was knowing what methods I had to incorporate to do well

Confidence definitely increased after implementing the strategies because workload became more manageable

I learned a lot from Dr. McGuire because before her class I didn’t know how to utilize her methods.

Students at a southeastern Law School 2011

Law Student Feedback about Metacognitive Strategies

Challenge to Suffolk University Law School Students

Metacognition Discussion – January 30, 2013

Average Year End GPA: 3.5

% Passing bar exam: 94.4%!

Writing Exercise

What behavior will you commit to for at least the next four weeks?

If you don’t start it in within the next 24 – 48 hours...

… you probably never will.

Final Note

Please visit our website at www.cas.lsu.edu.

We have on-line workshops and information that will teach you additional effective study strategies. I wish you a fantastically successful future in the legal profession!

Dr. Saundra McGuire