How to Get the Most Out of Studying: Part 3 of 5, "Cognitive Principles for Optimizing Learning"

Summary

Dr. Stephen Chew's video emphasizes the importance of deep learning strategies over shallow ones for effective studying in college. He outlines principles like elaboration, distinctiveness, and personal experience to achieve deep processing. Chew also advises against rote memorization unless required, and stresses the significance of automaticity, overlearning, and ongoing skill development for successful academic performance.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Effective studying in college requires not only motivation and time but also the use of effective learning strategies.
• 🧠 Shallow learning focuses on memorization, whereas deep learning emphasizes meaning, comprehension, and visual imagery.
• 🔗 Elaboration in studying involves making meaningful associations between concepts and prior knowledge.
• 🌟 Distinctiveness helps by contrasting concepts to understand their key differences.
• 💡 Relating concepts to personal experiences can enhance understanding and memory.
• 📚 Practicing retrieval and application of material is crucial for deep processing.
• 🚫 Avoid memorizing isolated facts unless the teacher specifically tests on exact wording.
• 🔄 Automaticity refers to skills that become effortless and unconscious through practice.
• 📈 Overlearning involves studying material beyond the point of initial mastery to ensure quick and easy recall.
• 🔍 The next video will explore applying deep processing principles to note-taking and textbook reading.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video series by Dr. Stephen Chew?

The main topic of the video series is how to study effectively in college, focusing on the principles of effective learning strategies.

What does Dr. Chew emphasize as the key to effective studying?

Dr. Chew emphasizes the importance of using deep learning strategies that focus on meaning, comprehension, and visual imagery, rather than shallow learning strategies like memorization.

What are the basic principles Dr. Chew mentions for achieving deep processing?

The basic principles for achieving deep processing are elaboration, distinctiveness, and practicing appropriate retrieval and application of the material.

What does elaboration mean in the context of studying?

Elaboration in studying means making meaningful associations between the concept being studied and related concepts or prior knowledge to enhance learning.

How does distinctiveness help in the learning process?

Distinctiveness helps by making clear contrasts between the concept being studied and other concepts, helping to understand the key differences among related concepts.

Can you give an example of how to apply distinctiveness in a psychology class?

An example of applying distinctiveness is when learning about short-term and long-term memory, focusing on their key differences such as capacity and rate of forgetting.

What is the importance of relating concepts to personal experience in deep processing?

Relating concepts to personal experience helps in making the learning more meaningful and memorable, as it connects abstract ideas with real-life situations.

What does Dr. Chew suggest as an alternative to reading the material over and over?

Dr. Chew suggests closing the book and notes and recalling as much information as possible, writing it down, explaining it to a friend, or using review questions and tests.

Under what circumstances should one memorize isolated facts according to Dr. Chew?

One should memorize isolated facts if the teacher tests over the exact wording of those facts, which is an exception to the general advice against memorizing without understanding.

What are automaticity and overlearning as discussed by Dr. Chew?

Automaticity refers to a process that can be done without conscious thought due to high practice, while overlearning means studying material beyond the point of initial recall to make it quick and easy to remember.

Why is developing effective college-level study skills considered effortful and time-consuming?

Developing effective college-level study skills is effortful and time-consuming because it involves not only developing new skills but also overcoming the automatic and overlearned high school skills.

What is the role of overlearning in preventing forgetting and facilitating recall?

Overlearning plays a crucial role in preventing forgetting by reinforcing the material to the point where it can be recalled quickly and easily, which is particularly useful for critical information needed in the future.