How to Get the Most Out of Studying: Part 2 of 5, "What Students Should Know About How People Learn"

Summary

Dr. Stephen Chew's video explores the principles of effective studying in college, debunking myths like the importance of intent to learn. He highlights the 'levels of processing' theory, emphasizing that deep processing—connecting information to prior knowledge or experience—leads to better recall, regardless of the intent to learn. Shallow processing, such as memorizing without understanding, is less effective. The video encourages students to adopt deep learning strategies for academic success.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The most important factor in successful learning is the depth of processing rather than the intention to learn.
• 🔍 Deep processing involves thinking about the material meaningfully, interpreting information, and relating it to prior knowledge or experiences.
• 🚫 Shallow processing, such as mindless re-reading or memorization, does not lead to effective learning, even with the intention to learn.
• 🔑 Orienting tasks determine the level of processing; deep orienting tasks like rating pleasantness lead to better recall than shallow tasks like checking for specific letters.
• ❌ The study by Hyde and Jenkins (1969) showed that the intent to learn does not affect learning outcomes.
• 📈 Deep processing groups recalled significantly more words than shallow processing groups, regardless of their intent to learn.
• 🤔 Learning styles, such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, lack strong research evidence and should not be considered a key factor in learning.
• ⏰ Time spent studying is important, but it is not as crucial as the depth of processing for successful learning.
• 📚 Effective learning comes from making meaningful connections and understanding the material deeply, not just from surface-level memorization.
• 🎯 The upcoming videos will focus on how to process information deeply and develop a connected understanding of the material for academic success.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video?

The speaker is Dr. Stephen Chew, a professor of psychology at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

What is the main topic of the video series?

The main topic of the video series is how to study effectively in college.

What was the purpose of the experiment conducted by Thomas Hyde and James Jenkins in 1969?

The purpose of the experiment was to examine the impact of two variables, intentional learning and levels of processing, on the effectiveness of learning and recall of information.

What are the two variables that Hyde and Jenkins investigated in their study?

The two variables were whether participants knew they would have to recall the words (Intentional vs. Incidental condition) and the level of processing they used when encoding the words (shallow vs. deep).

What is the difference between shallow and deep levels of processing?

Shallow processing involves focusing on superficial properties of the material, like spelling, while deep processing involves thinking about the meaning of the material and relating it to personal experiences.

What was the result of the Hyde and Jenkins study regarding the importance of the intent to learn?

The study found that the intent to learn had no effect on recall, indicating that intention alone does not improve learning.

According to the study, which group recalled more words: those who processed words at a deep level or those at a shallow level?

The groups that processed words at a deep level recalled significantly more words than those who processed at a shallow level.

What is the significance of the 'levels of processing' concept for student learning?

The levels of processing concept is significant because it suggests that deeper processing leads to better recall and understanding, regardless of the intention to learn.

What is an example of a shallow orienting task mentioned in the script?

An example of a shallow orienting task is checking for the letter 'e' in the spelling of words.

What is an example of a deep orienting task mentioned in the script?

An example of a deep orienting task is rating the pleasantness of a word, which requires thinking about the meaning of the word.

What is the correct answer to the question of the single most important factor in learning according to the script?

The correct answer is related to the depth of processing, emphasizing that deep processing leads to better learning and recall.

What misconception about learning does the script address?

The script addresses the misconception about learning styles, stating that there is no good research evidence supporting their validity.

What are the factors that do not contribute to academic success according to the script?

Factors such as the mere intention to learn, attention without comprehension, and reliance on shallow processing strategies do not contribute to academic success.

What is the focus of the next two videos in the series?

The focus of the next two videos is on how to process information deeply and develop a connected understanding of material.