Notes Slide 2 introduces the research evidence that if left to their - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Notes

Slide 2 introduces the research evidence that if left to their own ‘preferred’ methods of revision students under perform, most chose to re- read (highlights note) as illustrated by the red bar on the graph on the left, actual results show that this group performed worse as shown by the red bar on the graph on the right Slide 3 is intended to show that memory works the same for all of us therefore effective revision practice that takes account of this will work for all. Slide 4 introduces the 4 techniques for effective revision practices Slides 5-15 model a revision approach that incorporates the 4 key components for effective revision illustrated on Slide 4 Slide 5 step 1 - Fill it -The example topic is photosynthesis - without looking at revision notes, write down as many keywords that you can remember, try and sort them into categories Slide 6 step 2 – look at your revision notes Slide 7 step 3 -revisit step one (slide 5) adding in a different colour any keywords that you couldn’t remember in Step 1 Slide 8 Step 4 – Link it - using only the keywords you couldn’t remember from step 1 (those you have highlighted in a different colour at step 3) fill in the boxes, find links between the keywords, join the boxes with an explanation of how they are connected. Slide 9 – this is an example of Step 4 completed Slide 10 Step 4 Rank it –using the key concepts from step 4 (link it) rank them with the most important at the top of the pyramid next to each section of the pyramid explain the rationale for placing each of the keywords. Slide 11 – an example of ranking completed, light is at the top because without it Photosynthesis stops altogether other factors are limiting factors ,photosynthesis still happens but to a less extent. Slide 12 –Step 5 –Draw it – encode the keywords into 6 images with labels –it’s important to have both Slide 13 – shows step 5 completed, note how the dual coding works with diagrams, equations or icons each with explanatory labels Slide 14 – Step 6 –Test it- Come up with 6 challenging questions that test your understanding of the topic. These should be elaborative questions, how, why, explain, evaluate rather than list, describe or identify. Slide 15 – Examples of Test it type questions

Slide 16-17 – a summary of handy revsion tips for students

The Evid idence: : Researchers found that what the student felt lt was th the most help lpful turned out to be th the le leas ast effective!

Research shows that those students who were not given guidance

• n how to revise effectively and instead choose the

method they preferred performed the WORST in the actual exam

Here’s the science – making learning stick

• Memory requires : encoding, consolidation,

storage & retrieval

• When neurons are connected by synapses

they create a pattern of activity called an engram, these are memories

• To retrieve memories we need to create a highly similar pattern to one

when learning took place.

• Sleep plays an important part in consolidating engrams, these are also

more secure when associated with other engrams.

• Once consolidation has occurred short term memory becomes long term,

this occurs following reactivation upon retrieval

What works? Turning Science into practice.

• Spaced practice: study schedule

spreads activities out over time

• Interleaving: switching between

topics while studying –but noting connections between them

• Elaboration – asking & explaining

why and how things work

• Dual coding – combining words

with visuals

• Retrieval practice- bringing

learned information to mind from long-term memory

Putting theory into practice

• Follow the revision process for photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

Word Equation carbon dioxide + water oxygen + glucose Symbol Equation 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H1206 + 6O2

Section 1- Process of Photosynthesis

Key Word Definition 1 Photosynthesis A chemical, endothermic, reaction which takes place in plants and algae, which produces a source of food. 2 Chloroplasts An organelle inside the cell- where photosynthesis takes place. 3 Chlorophyll The green substance inside chloroplasts which absorbs light. 4 Glucose A water-soluble sugar, which contains six carbons, used in respiration and can be made by photosynthesis. 5 Endothermic Reaction Photosynthesis requires an input of energy from the environment.

Section 2- Leaf Adaptations

Structure Adaptation for Photosynthesis 6 Leaf surface The leaf itself is broad and thin, to give a large surface area for light to fall on and short diffusion distances for gases. 7 Veins Carry water from xylem in the plant, to the cells of the leaves and remove products of photosynthesis in the phloem. 8 Air Spaces Allow carbon dioxide to get into the cells and oxygen to leave the cells, by diffusion. 9 Guard Cells These cells open and close the stomata (holes in the leaf), to regulate gas exchange.

10 Leaf Structure 11 Xylem & Phloem Section 3- Rate of Photosynthesis

Limiting Factor How does it affect the rate? 12 Light For most plants, the brighter the light, the faster the rate of

• photosynthesis. If there is little/no light, photosynthesis will stop,

13 Temperature As temperature increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases. However if the temperature is too high (40-50◦C) then the enzymes controlling photosynthesis denature, slowing the rate. 14 Carbon dioxide concentration The atmosphere is only 0.04% carbon dioxide, so it often limits the rate

• f photosynthesis. On a sunny day, carbon dioxide is the most common

limiting factor. Increasing the CO2 concentration, increases photosynthesis. 15 Chlorophyll levels Less chlorophyll results in less photosynthesis. Minerals e.g. magnesium are used to make chlorophyll, so can affect the rate of photosynthesis.

20 RP- Light Intensity & Rate of

• Photosynthesis. The number of

bubbles is measured by a syringe or upturned test tube. Section 4- Plant Materials & Glucose

Material Use in Plant Test? 16 Cellulose A storage molecule made of glucose, strengthens cell walls. 17 Starch An insoluble molecule used for energy storage in plants. Iodine- boil leaves in ethanol, look for blue-black colour. 18 Nitrates Plants combine nitrates with glucose & other minerals to make amino acids. Biuret Test for Proteins- purple colour change. 19 Lipids Glucose is used to build up fats & oils, which are used as an energy store, often in seeds.

Chunk information into different categories Highlight the information you didn’t recall, added from your Knowledge Organiser

Choose some keywords that you didn’t recall form the Fill It task Explain the link along the adjoining lines

Light

CO2

Decide on a criteria for ranking the key factors, e.g impact on the rate

• f Photosynthesis,

make sure you explain these reasons for where you have placed it

Make sure you explain the point being illustrated below each drawing (Dual Coding). You can also combine diagrams & labels

Make sure your questions force you to ‘elaborate’ or improve your understanding. Do this by using Why, How

• r Explain as the starter

to your

Top tips –students Planning

• Start planning early – its takes time to form habits
• Revise information , but not immediately after you have learnt it
• You will be studying right up to your last exam –but by using spacing you can manage you

time better (maintaining healthy work life balance) and learn more

• Forgetting some information is a necessary part of improving your memory, don’t be

disheartened, it will be tough to stick to and you wont full experience the results of it until you sit the exam, you are in it for the long haul

• Create spaces between topics (a few days) & do a little bit at a time, so it adds up
• DON’T be fooled into thinking that Cramming works, information will be forgotten very

quickly, will not be retained between exam papers, transferable skills are lost, sleep is lost & anxiety increases. It’s not possible to cover all the information for a GCSE course in a day (it takes 240hrs to deliver a GCSE course), or its done on a very superficial level (surface as oppose to deep learning)

• Sleep is extremely important for learning & your general health. Attention, problem

solving and decision making are all impaired by poor sleep patterns. Effects have been shown by losing as little as 1-2 hours a week or having less than 8hrs of sleep a night.

Top tips for students Part 2- Developing understanding

• Make a list of the ideas you need to learn
• For each ask yourself questions about how & why
• Make connections between the ideas you have learned and explain how they work together
• Explain how ideas are similar or different
• Make connections between different subjects, memories or life experiences
• Build up to explaining the hows & whys of the ideas without referring to notes
• Think of examples for each idea
• Create visuals with direct labelling, cover the text try to remember the visuals
• Draw from memory
• Practice tests, without referring to your notes, review your notes on the areas you got wrong.
• Make your own questions – the harder the better, make sure they go beyond describing into explaining and comparing
• Break up the information into chunks
• Create flashcards –question on one side, answer on the other, write out your answer ONLY then check your answer on the back
• Draw from memory
• Draw concept maps (from memory) to show how ideas are connected

Retrieval Practice can be difficult – it will feel easier to re-read – re-write notes BUT remember the exam will require you to apply information in new situations - you need to prepare for this. Don’t be fooled by strategies that make you feel like you are learning a lot – retrieval practice is difficult and difficulty is good for learning –don’t be dissuaded by thinking this isn’t working for you Use the Revision Process, writing frames Retrieval Practice should happen each session, in its simplest form this is recalling information without using notes