ACTIVE STUDY
Active Learning - a necessity
Learning takes time - few people have photographic memories! Learning requires repetition - meaningful
active repetition. The "recording disk" of the brain accepts new material much faster if it hears, sees or
pictures, feels, tastes, and detects physical activity during input or recording time. And, the more the activity is
repeated, the deeper and longer lasting the impression.
Mnemonics - memory keys
Material that is difficult to master can be organized by finding the key words in each point, noting the first
letter, and arranging the letters into a sense or nonsense word (the sillier, the better).
Examples:
Why did the U.S. enter W.W.I? (mnemonic answer: SPRENCZ)
S ubmarines, Germans lifted restrictions on use of
P ropaganda, British control of
R ussians overthrew the tsar
E conomic ties of U.S. with Britain and France
N eutrality, German violations of U.S.
C ultural ties with Britain
Z immerman telegram
Key words jar your memory! If you have a basic understanding of each point, you ought to be able to write
a complete essay from the mnemonic SPRENCZ. The mnemonic could also be used to recall a short or
long list of facts, although you may need to break up a longer list into smaller groups, and key each group.
Diagrams - Worth 1,000 words.
Flash cards
While printing study cards visualize or recite the information to make the impression stronger on the brain.
Reading the cards silently, however, is too passive. Recite the words, visualize them, write them down,
varying the order. Learning requires the active involvement of the whole person.
Study Groups
Working with others is a way to involve many modes of learning. Discuss the information, clarify, classify
and commit it to memory. Teach each other, drill each other, make up practice questions and check each
other's answers. A group of 3 or 4 students can meet once a week for 1 1/2 hours without draining anyone's
schedule too much. Set an agenda, be disciplined about working, then chat on the way to the next activity.
For more information visit our Web page! http://www.middlebury.edu/~learn
Office of Learning Resources • Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research • X3131