MATH STUDY SKILLS Created by Janice Levasseur Presented

MATH STUDY SKILLS Created by Janice Levasseur Presented by Theresa Hert MSJC ~ San Jacinto Campus Math Center Workshop Series

Welcome to Math Study Skills • Congratulations for taking a math class • Studying for a math class is different – You will use all math concepts learned in previous math classes – You need to memorize and apply what you learn – You must use the information learned to solve new types of problems Therefore, you need to design a plan to improve your math study skills

Before we start. . . • “My Personal Math Study-Skills Inventory” Source: Conquering Math Anxiety, 2 nd Ed by Cynthia Arem, 2003

Math Study Skills Inventory √ “I attend all my math classes” √ “I review my class notes as soon after class as possible” √ “I do weekly & monthly reviews of all my class and textbook notes” √ “I take notes on my text and review them often” √ “I work to ‘overlearn’ and thoroughly master my material”

4 Keys to Better Study Skills • Motivation/Goal Setting • Time Management • Planning • Organization

Motivation/Goal Setting • Set realistic goals • Use attaining the goal as motivation

Time Management • Unlike High School, you (in college) manage your time • You take responsibility for what you do and don’t do, as well as the consequences of your decisions

Planning • Weekly Schedule – Set aside time to study – Prioritize by importance, avoid urgency • Monthly Calendar – Test date – Major projects/assignments due dates

Organization • 3 -Ring Binder (one for each class) Monthly Calendar Class Schedule Class notes Handouts Homework Exams Extra Binder Paper

Studying in College • 2 – 3 hours each week for every 1 hour (unit) in class – Ex: 3 units class = 3 class hours 6 – 9 hours doing “homework” each week • “Homework”: – – Read the text Practice problems Review lecture notes Complete homework assignments on time

Read the Math Textbook • Read your textbook – First pass, skim the sections – Second pass, read in depth – slowly, carefully • Take notes on definitions & theorems • Mark up your book – highlights, underlines, scribbles in the margins • Create a summary sheet of the sections • Refer to the section lessons when stuck on a homework problem

Practice Problems • Study math everyday -- Practice DAILY! • Work through example problems in the lesson sections & work the “try it yourself” problems • Do additional problems not assigned (odd to check answers in the back) • “Own the material, don’t rent it!”

Review Lecture Notes • Recopy your class notes – Fill in any gaps – Work thru things you didn’t understand during the class lecture • Summary Sheets – Summarize the lecture – Create flashcards (vocabulary, properties, theorems, proofs, formulas, algorithms, procedures)

Complete Homework Assignments • Do the homework as soon as possible – It will take less time – It will be easier to remember what was covered during the class lecture • Check your answers – The answers to odd problems are in the back of your textbook – You learn what you do, so do it right!

Why Planning? • The “Magic of Now” Improves Memory – Review immediately & again 8 hours later – Do your HW the same day it is assigned

Hermann Ebbinghouse German psychologist that researched the rate of forgetting ü After 20 minutes, nearly 50% of what had been learned is forgotten ü After 1 day, nearly 66% is lost ü After 2 days, 69% is lost ü After 15 days, 75% is lost ü After 31 days, 78% is lost

H. F. Spitzer’s study on retention showed that Students who reviewed the material immediately after learning it and then did periodic reviews were able to retain almost 80% of the material after 2 months!

Other Factors to Success • Take math classes consecutively and avoid short-term classes, like in summer school • Consider auditing or repeating a math class – You are more likely to succeed if you earn a B or higher in each math class • “Learning math frequently and in small chunks is better. ” • When are you at your best? • Set aside the hour after class for review and doing homework

• Teacher Selection – Find a teacher you “click” with – Word of mouth, peer (student) recommendations, ratemyprofessor. com

Perceptual Learning Channel • Your primary perceptual learning channel will be visual, auditory, or kinesthetic

Perceptual Learning Channel • Visual √ “I can often see in my mind the page in my notes or in the text where the explanations or answers are located” √ “I am more likely to remember math when I write it down” √ “It helps when I can picture working a problem out in my mind”

Visual Learner – Study written material – Rework your notes – Make flash cards – Use different colors – Ask your tutor to SHOW YOU how to do the problem – Write down each problem step the tutor tells you

Perceptual Learning Channel Auditory √ “I learn best from a lecture” √ “I hate taking notes” √ “I repeat the numbers to myself when mentally working out math problems”

Auditory Learner – Tape record the class – Read aloud any written explanations – Have your tutor EXPLAIN HOW to work the problems – Explain to your tutor how to work the problem – Make sure all important facts are spoken aloud

Perceptual Learning Channel • Kinesthetic – “I learn math best when I can manipulate it, touch it, or use hands-on examples” – “I learn best in math when I just get in and do something with my hands” – “I’ve always liked using my fingers”

Kinesthetic Learner – Use manipulatives to understand math concepts – Obtain diagrams, objects, drawings, and get involved to help you learn math – Rewrite your lecture notes – Rewrite your homework problems and solutions

Give it Your All! • Successful Math Students are – Disciplined – Persistent – Patient – Hard working – Able to concentrate

Attend All Classes & Stay Current • Don’t fall behind – – – Seek additional help sooner rather than later Learning Resource Center or Math Center Instructor (Office Hours) Tutor Study buddy or Study Group Other Textbooks/References “Procrastination is one of the worst enemies!”

Take a Complete Set of Class Notes – Studies show successful students take fuller class notes (about 64% of what is presented) than unsuccessful students – Recopy your notes after class filling in any blanks – Write on one side of the paper only (use the other side for additional sample problems, comments, questions, etc. ) – Neatness counts!

Tackle your Math book – Read your textbook – Work out practice problems – Mark up your book (the best math students always mark their books – highlights, underlines, pencil scribbles in the margins) – Review at the end of chapter Key Words – Use the Chapter Reviews and Chapter Tests to take a practice test before the real test

What We Say and Do We remember ü 10% of what we read ü 20% of what we hear ü 30% of what we see ü 50% of what we hear and see ü 70% of what we explain aloud to ourselves and others ü 90% of what we both say and do Source: Edgar Dale’s “Cone of Learning”

It is up to you. . . • . . . to understand the material covered in each class • Subsequent lectures and assignments proceed from the assumption that you understand the previously covered material. • Learning doesn’t happen passively in a math class! • Believe in yourself! You can do it!