SLANT A RESEARCHBASED LEARNING STRATEGY Ellis 1991 Center

SLANT A RESEARCH-BASED LEARNING STRATEGY (Ellis, 1991) Center for Research on Learning University of Kansas 1

WHAT IS A STRATEGY? A STRATEGY a person's approach to learning and using information. – It is an approach for students on how to think about and solve problems, or…… “how to learn” – Learning strategies are used by students to help them understand information.

What is the SLANT Strategy? • Helps you to participate in class in appropriate and productive ways • Steps cue you to combine nonverbal (bodily), thinking skills, and verbal behaviors to activate your participation in class effectively • Students who “master” SLANT understand why it is important to actively participate during class and how to do so.

What will this help me to do in the classroom? • Understand what information is important to learn, and why learning it is important • How to study effectively for a test • Helps you to create new ways to organize and categorize information over time • Helps build comprehension skills, connections, and questioning skills • Helps learning becoming more personal, fun, and interesting • Improves the quality of your participation and memory of material

S is for SIT UP Example: Upright posture but relaxed Non Examples: Head on desk Slouching in chair

L is for LEAN FORWARD Example: Leaning forward slightly Non Examples: Leaning backward Exaggerated forward lean

A is for ACTIVATE YOUR THINKING Examples: – Asking yourself questions – Answering your questions – Asking the teacher a question you don’t understand – Make connections to self, text, world Non Examples: Talking to others during class Playing with objects Doodling Doing nothing when you don’t understand

N is for NAME KEY INFORMATION Examples: Answering the teacher’s questions Sharing your ideas or comments Adding to others’ statements Non Examples: Keeping knowledge to yourself when you could help others Ridiculing other students’ comments

T is for TRACK THE TALKER Examples: Keeping eyes on teacher when she/he speaks Looking at students when they speak Non Examples: Staring out the window Looking at your desk or students who are not contributing

Positive Participation Makes a Positive Difference!!