Hi Everybody, I recently read an interesting article about how Gholburn Valley Grammar School has been explicitly teaching their students effective learning strategies to optimise their learning (Sach et al, 2021). Indeed, research indicates that a lot of students use ineffective strategies ( Dunlosky et al, 2013). I know that remote learning has been hard for everybody. Therefore, in this article I will discuss how three of the learning strategies that Gholburn Valley Grammar School uses can be used in a remote learning context. It is my hope that these strategies will assist you over the last few weeks of remote learning.
Dual Coding
Firstly, let us discuss dual coding. Typically, when writing down information students use verbal representations of informal. It us useful to also use pictures along with verbal representations to record new information. Representing new information in multiple ways can create connections between ideas. This can increase the likelihood that learners will retain the information that they are trying to learn. In the context of remote learning this could include encouraging your kids to include pictures when they write up notes about new things that they have learnt.
Elaboration
Secondly, let us discuss elaboration. When learning new content it is useful to ask yourself how and why questions to elaborate upon your comprehension of new content. Let us say that somebody asked me what is the answer to 10 multiplied by 10? I would be correct to answer 100. But that does not show my thinking. If I justified my answer by using an array to show why 10 multiplied by 10 equals 100 I am correctly answering the question while reinforcing my own mathematical understanding. Your children’s responses to why and how questions can also potentially reveal gaps in their understanding. Over the remainder of remote learning, you can support your children by talking to them about what they are learning about and asking them ‘why and how questions’ to elaborate upon their understandings of the topics they are learning about.
Retrieval
Thirdly, let us discuss retrieval. It can be really helpfully for learners to have to retrieve and recall information that they have recently learnt. As doing so can reinforce their knowledge of a new topic. Implementing this strategy can be as simple as asking them at dinner what is ‘one thing that you have learnt today?’
Reference list
Dunlosky, J. (2013). Strengthening the student toolbox: Study strategies to boost learning. American Educator, 37(3), 12-21. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1021069
Sach et al. (2021). Research to practice — developing a learners Tool Kit. https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/research-to-practice-developing-a-learners-toolkit