Become an Expert Learner:Metacognition is the Key!

Saundra Y. McGuire, Ph.D.Assistant Vice Chancellor for Learning and TeachingProfessor, Department of ChemistryPast Director, Center for Academic SuccessLouisiana State University

2004 National College Learning Center AssociationFrank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award

Dillard’s Mission StatementDillard University's mission is to produce graduates who excel, become world leaders, are broadly educated, culturally aware, and concerned with improving the human condition.Through a highly personalized and learning-centered approach Dillard's students are able to meet the competitive demands of a diverse, global and technologically advanced society.

A TALL ORDER

But the entire Dillard community –students, faculty, administrators, and staff must work together to achieve it!!

The Story of Three Students

Travis, junior psychology student47, 52, 82, 86 B in course

Robert, first year chemistry student42, 100, 100, 100 A in course

Dana, first year physics student80, 54, 91, 97, 90 (final) A in course

Dana’s Spring 2010 GradesCourses

Dept Course Grade Hrs Carried Hrs Earned Quality PtsBIOL 1201 A 3.00 3.00 12.00CSC 1253 A 3.00 3.00 12.00MATH 2090 A 4.00 4.00 16.00MEDP 2051 A 3.00 3.00 12.00PHYS 2221 A 3.00 3.00 12.00

Current Cumulative GPA: 3.88

How’d They Do It?

They became expert learners by using metacognition!

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

Presidential Recognition White House Oval Office November 16, 2007

What we will cover today

Why Dillard University students may be inefficient learnersMetacognitive learning strategies that work, and why they workBarriers to using these strategies and how to overcome them

Reflection QuestionsWhat’s the difference, if any, betweenstudying and learning? Which, if either, is more enjoyable? Why?

Did you study a lot in high school?

Approximately how many hours per week do you think you will have to study at Dillard?

Use Metacognition to Become an Expert Learner

Metacognition

The 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 doing

Counting Vowelsin 45 seconds:

Let’s test our speed and accuracy

For the words on the next slide, count all of the vowels

14

Dollar BillDiceTricycleFour-leaf CloverHandSix-PackSeven-UpOctopus

Cat LivesBowling PinsFootball TeamDozen EggsUnlucky FridayValentine’s DayQuarter Hour

How many words or phrases do you remember?

16

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?

Turning Yourself into an Efficient, Expert Learner

Do “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.

Graduate School

Undergraduate

High School

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 high school?

1 2 3 4 5 6

21%

35%

3%3%

13%

25%1. Knowledge2. Comprehension3. Application4. Analysis5. Synthesis6. Evaluation

At what level of Bloom’s do you think you’ll need to be to make A’s at the university level?

1 2 3 4 5 6

7% 6%

14%

35%

23%

15%

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

Study Strategies Gold Nugget

The Study Cycle withIntense Study Sessions

The Study CyclePhase One: Preview material to be

covered in class… before class (Create chapter maps)

Phase Two: Go to Class. Listen actively, take notes, participate in class

Phase Three: Review and process class notes as soon as possible after class

Phase Four: Incorporate Intense Study Sessions

RepeatOnce per week, review the entire week’s notes

Intense Study Sessions 2 - 5 minutes: Set goals for next 40 min.

30 - 40 minutes: Read text more selectively/highlightMake doodles/notes in marginsCreate mnemonics, work examplesCreate maps

5 minutes Review what you have just studied

10 minutes Take a break

Repeat

Time Management isLife Management

Big Rocks

The question is this:

What is the “moral of the story” when it comes to time management?

Is this jar full? What if we fill it to the top with small rocks…

would it be full?

What if we fill it to the top with water…would it be full?

What if we fill it to the top with sand…would it be full?

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 Q uiz

30 7Math Quiz

14 21

W 3 10 17 24 O ct. 1 8 15Spanish

Exam

22

Th 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23MathExam

F 5 12 19 26 3Science

Q uiz

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 SU7-8

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

Tips to remember...Use daylight hours wisely!

1 day light hour =about 1 1/2 evening

hours.

ABC’s of ExcellenceAdopt 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 knowingand 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!

P’s and Q’s to AvoidProcrastinating

“Quadralizing”

So, What Can You Do, Starting Now, to Ensure Your 4.0 this semester?

Spend more time studying (at least 2 hours/week for every hour in class)Aim for higher learning levels and 100% masteryUse office hours and study groups productivelyUse the Study Cycle

with Intense Study SessionsUse Metacognition to Study Smarter!!!

Writing Exercise

What strategy will you commit to using for the next three weeks?

If you don’t try it in within the next 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 even more effective study strategies. I wish you a fantastically successful future!

Dr. Saundra McGuire

Writing Exercise

What behavior will you commit to changing?

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

… you probably never will.

Fall 2010 Dillard University Student Challenge

Average GPA of 3.5!No bleu devil with a GPA of less than 3.0Commitment to personal and group excellenceCelebration in Spring 2011!!!

Final Note

Please visit out 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!

Dr. Saundra McGuire