ED209 Tutorial 6

Exam preparation

General comments

• How is everything going• Any general questions or concerns?

Exams: Key Points• Everyone wants you to pass!• Failing an exam is not the end of the world!• Don’t worry about what you haven’t covered, work out

how to make the best use of what you have done.• No-one understands everything – there are bound to be

areas where you feel underprepared and confused.• Don’t panic when you read exam questions. Almost

every exam question is linked directly with something you have covered on the course. You just have to work out the link.

• Exams are as much about what you understand as what you remember

• Have a clear plan as to how you intend to use your time in the exam

• You will probably do a lot of work before the exam. Do it in a planned way, using your time efficiently and conserving your energy – don’t turn your life into a misery because of an exam!

What kind of learner are you?

• ‘I see’ mind maps• ‘I get the picture’ visual learner colour code notes• ‘That’s clear’ pictures, diagrams

• ‘That sounds great’ record notes to tape and play back• ‘I hear what you’re saying aural repeat out loud • ‘That strikes a chord’ use rhymes, mnemonics

• ‘It feels right’ walk around as you read notes• ‘It slipped my mind’ movement use big notes (posters) to ‘feel’

words• ‘Let’s start from scratch’ use gestures to remember/link

material

Revision

• Revising for & taking exams involve techniques that can be learned & practiced• Everyone revises differently – experiment and see what works best for you• But remember: revision should be an active process – the more you think about,

manipulate and practice the material, the easier it will be to remember• You don’t have to remember every detail – more important to get to grips with

parcels of ideas (i.e. foundational theories in developmental psychology)

Passive• Re-reading• Copying• Typing notes onto computer• Highlighting

Active• Writing index cards• Annotating text (comments)• Mindmapping• Repeating (not reading) out

loud• Doing past papers

Activity

• Work through the following questions in groups & then group as a whole– Your overall feelings about exams &

revision?– Aspects or issues that concern or

interest you?– What techniques have you used in

past exams and which ones have been successful?

– What techniques haven’t been successful?

Breaks• Build breaks into yr timetable• Revise for 30 – 40 mins → take a break• Break at an interesting point so you are

encouraged to return to it

Revision cont.

Relaxation techniques 20 mins, eyes open or closed1. Breathe normally, just after breathing

out, count silently ‘one’. Count ‘two’ after the 2nd exhalation. Go up to 10. Then start again from one. Do this for 5 mins.

2. If you lose count, start again.3. Next make your silent count just before

you breath in. Do this for 5 mins.4. Stop counting, spend 5 mins just noticing

the sensation of breathing in your body.5. Spend the last 5 mins noticing the point

at which air enters and exits the body (usually lips or nose)

Exercise reduces stressGet a good night’s sleep!

Positive Attitude

Use Phrases Like:• I will work well• I will learn what’s worth learning• I will set myself regular deadlines• I will take regular breaks

Don’t use phrases like:• I will work hard – work prioritised above everything else• I will learn every detail – can’t see the wood for the trees• I will sit here until the work is all done – this will make you feel tired• I will not have free time unless I’ve earned it – creates guilt, learning

becomes a chore

The Exam

Day before:• If possible take the day off• Get a good night’s sleep• Don’t spend all day talking

about the exam• Don’t eat too much junk

food• Use relaxation techniques

Exam• Weds 20th Oct, 2.30 – 5.30pm• Allow plenty of time to get

there (delays, parking etc)• Take your exam allocation

letter & personal ID (with photo & signature)

• Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes, take a jumper.

• PENS!

Tackling the questions• Answer 3 questions in total• 2 questions from Parts 1-3, each

chosen from a different part, and compulsory seen question based on part 4

• Read all of the questions • 5 mins choosing questions and order • Plan!

– 5 mins per question– Underline key words in question or

paraphrase– What will you include?– How will you answer?

• Re-read when finished• Check you’ve done everything!

Seen Question• Choose your topic!• Can be any area of child development • Read 3 chapters

(http://learn.open.ac.uk/mod/resourcepage/view.php?id=301136)

• Find 2 references independently(use academic search complete or Google Scholar)

• Set about researching your answer • Practice writing that answer as if it were

an essay TMA• Revise the content and structure for the

exam

First steps

• SAFARI• http://www.open.ac.uk/safari/ • Takes you on guided tour of how to research a topic• What is information?• Planning a search • Conducting that search • Using the information

Further searching• Search database provided by the OU• Academic Search Complete (EBSCO Host)• http://library.open.ac.uk/find/eresources/databases/linking.cfm?id=4036

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• Link from your student page• Enter search terms (your topic)• Separate out key words:• e.g. ‘autism’ and ‘false belief’• Choose ‘Full Text’ (to download whole articles)

Choosing references

• Read through titles• Some papers clearly not relevant• Select those you feel ‘appear’ suitable• Read the Abstract • Click on article title, and scroll to Abstract• Download copies of the papers you want • Click on PDF button by article

Activity 2: Seen Question

Within your chosen topic area, discuss the extent to which research in developmental psychology, and it’s

application, have improved support for children.

• What is this question asking you to do?• What area are you focusing on?• How are you planning to tackle the question?• What might be included?

→ Prepare like a standard essay→ Be critical and balanced!

Goodbyes!Au revoir

Good luck!