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Basic Skills in Science?! Kim-Leiloni T. Nguyen, MD, MPH Professor of Anatomy & Physiology Mt. San Antonio College Los Angeles, CA
Basic Skills in Science?!Kim-Leiloni T. Nguyen, MD, MPH
Professor of Anatomy & PhysiologyMt. San Antonio College
Los Angeles, CA
The problem globally: shortage in future talents in STEM
The problem locally:high drop-out rates
Overview
Observation:Science is usually content-densevery different from other disciplines
Logic:Success in Science courses will require different skills than other disciplines, skills that many students don’t have
Overview
Possible Solution:Teach students these necessary skills
Basic Skills in Science
*oxymoron because Basic Skill Initiative does not include Science but it does include study skills
Overview
0.5 unit course Credit or no credit Portfolio assignment 8-9 hrs Built on neuroscience research on learning and logic
Overview
What to do before first day of class What to do before lecture What to do during lecture What to do after lecture What to do before exam What to do during exam What to do after exam
Curriculum
Start a similar class on your campus Improve student success in the Sciences
Outcome
Mt San Antonio CollegeEast Los Angeles County, CA60,000 studentslargest one-college district
Biological SciencesAnatomy & Physiology
Introduction
Time-Management Learning Style* Right vs. Left Brain* Selecting appropriate course
time & day Contacting professors for syllabus Registering for course Positive thinking* Must attend first day to add/succeed*
What to do before first day of class
First exposure to content* Reading techniques
process content while reading* Goal: become familiar w/ content Expect to struggle but still try
not understand everythingtakes time
Study environment, time, duration, frequency* Break time, activities, duration, frequency*
What to do before lecture
Where to sit* Note-taking techniques Goal: listen* (not multi-task)
What to do during lecture
Ebbinhaus memory curve How the brain remembers Inputting techniques
Memorization strategiesCreative flashcardsStudy groups (tutoring, SI)
Goal: get correct info into the brain Sleep & nutrition & emotions*
What to do after lecture
Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve
% retention
Outputting/Review techniquesTeaching others (Study groups)BrainstormingPractice testLabeling
Goal: practice retrieving content* Sleep & nutrition & positive thinking* Buy supplies
What to do before exam
Paper exam vs. practicum Test-taking techniques Goal: remain calm
Avoid last-minute crammers & crammingAccept you don’t know everythingPositive thinking
What to do during exam
Post-Test Analysis Learning from the past to improve the future
What to do after exam
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Correct Wrongerror type
Topic Study Method Topic Study Method#
2 years 250+ students All have felt this was worthwhile Success stories
Results
