MOOC USSV101x | How to Study for Technical Courses | The Distributed Study Model

Summary

The Distributed Study Model, developed at Columbia's School of General Studies, emphasizes the importance of multiple, varied engagements with course material to enhance comprehension and retention. By preparing before lectures, actively participating during, and consolidating knowledge after, students can transform a passive review into a deeper understanding. This approach encourages a proactive study habit that significantly boosts learning outcomes in technical courses.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Distributed Study Model was created to enhance comprehension and retention in technical courses.
• 👨‍🏫 Success in technical courses is linked to students' multiple engagements with the material, not just attending lectures and reviewing notes.
• 🧠 Cognitive and learning science support the idea that varied and quality engagements over time improve understanding and memory retention.
• 🌟 An example given is comparing a student who only reviews notes before an exam with one who engages with the material in multiple ways, showing better comprehension and retention.
• 🔍 The model emphasizes creating a pre-lecture preparation phase to familiarize oneself with the upcoming material, identifying gaps in understanding.
• 📈 The 'point of contact' phase involves active learning during lectures, problem sets, and other instructional activities to deepen understanding.
• 📝 The post-lecture consolidation phase is crucial for reviewing material, seeking clarifications, and integrating new knowledge into one's existing knowledge base.
• 🤔 The model suggests that even if a student cannot implement all aspects of the Distributed Study Model, any engagement is more beneficial than none.
• 🔑 The key to the Distributed Study Model is the multiple, varied, and spaced engagements with the material over time.
• 📈 The model is structured around points of contact, such as lectures and problem sets, with preparatory and consolidation phases before and after these points.
• 💡 Incorporating elements of the Distributed Study Model into one's study habits can significantly bolster comprehension and retention of technical course material.

Q & A

What is the Distributed Study Model?

The Distributed Study Model is an educational approach developed at Columbia's School of General Studies, which emphasizes multiple, varied engagements with the same material over time to enhance comprehension and retention.

Why did Mike Allen and his colleague create the Distributed Study Model?

They created the model after noticing that students who succeeded in technical courses engaged with the material in multiple ways and not just by attending lectures and reviewing notes.

What does cognitive and learning science suggest about multiple engagements with material?

Cognitive and learning science suggest that having more quality engagements with the same material, especially varied engagements over a long period, increases comprehension and retention.

Can you provide an example of how a student might engage with material using the Distributed Study Model?

A student might prepare by reviewing the textbook before a lecture, attend the lecture, review notes afterward, complete problem sets, create a study guide, and discuss the material with classmates, all contributing to a deeper understanding and better retention.

What is the significance of the 'point of contact' in the Distributed Study Model?

The 'point of contact' refers primarily to the lecture but also includes problem sets, office hours, discussion sections, and labs. It is the core moment of instruction where learning takes place.

What is the purpose of the pre-lecture preparation phase in the Distributed Study Model?

The pre-lecture preparation phase is meant to familiarize the student with the material to be covered, identify gaps in understanding, and prepare them for the lecture, making the learning process more effective.

How does the Distributed Study Model approach problem sets in technical courses?

The model views problem sets as a critical point of contact where students apply and evaluate their understanding of the concepts, thus transforming familiarity into deeper comprehension.

What is the post-lecture consolidation phase, and why is it important?

The post-lecture consolidation phase is where students review material, seek clarifications, create study guides, and add concepts to their master concept list. It is important for turning vague familiarity into deep understanding and long-term retention.

How does the Distributed Study Model differ from traditional study habits that involve only attending lectures and reviewing notes?

The Distributed Study Model encourages a variety of engagements with the material, including pre-lecture preparation, active participation during lectures, and comprehensive review and application after lectures, leading to better comprehension and retention.

What is the advice for students who may find the Distributed Study Model overwhelming?

The advice is to start incorporating parts of the model that fit into their practice, understanding that even partial adoption of the model can be more beneficial than not using it at all.

How does engaging with the material in multiple ways over time contribute to learning according to the script?

Engaging with the material in multiple ways over time allows for varied and quality interactions, which, according to cognitive and learning science, enhances both comprehension and the ability to retain information.