How to Learn

This is a teaching journal. And for the moment while I'm not yet a teacher, that means reflecting on my study experience and recording my thoughts as I form my own pedagogy and epistemology (big wordy words). Today however, my studies involve looking into the context of education in my country (Australia). Which right now means stat reports. And boy am I glad I'm not studying statistics because I am not comprehending a word of this OECD report. Particularly this part about education expenditure. I've literally been stuck on page three of this report for at least twenty minutes reading percentages over and over and honestly I have learned. nothing. 

So how am I going to rectify this issue? Clearly I have to come up with some ideas to help myself focus and get through this difficult reading so. Here are:

4 ways to learn (for now)

1. Take notes

For me this means taking notes extensively. I think that makes me a kinesthetic learner. In most other tasks I learn by carrying out an activity physically. This helps me out SO MUCH in the long run. Even if I'm just copying the words of the text directly from the reading to my word document (not copy paste, because I won't absorb the words that way), I've selected the parts I think to be important and will have them sitting there ready to be used in an assignment when I need them. It also helps if you reference as you go so you don't have to go back and find where you got the information from later.

2. Annotate

Speculate about the notes you're taking. Highlight important sections. Reflect on what you're reading and take additional notes based on what that means in the context of what you're studying.

3. Take Breaks

I recently learned about a study method called the Pomodoro Technique. There are plenty of apps and websites out there that will time this for you, but basically it means you study for 25 minutes, then have a 5 minute break. I use that time to get up, refill my drink bottle, go to the bathroom, then come back to study again. You do this three times, then after the fourth 25 minute focus period, you get a long break of fifteen minutes. This is perfect for me as I become restless and easily distractable if I'm sitting still for too long. 25 minutes is a good length of time - you know you wont' be sitting there for too long, there's an end in sight. The five minute break isn't too long either, you'll be able to return to your work with it still fresh in your mind. And if you've ever studied administration or worked in an office you'll know that OH&S advises you stand up and walk around at least once an hour for the sake of your physical health.

4. Remove distractions

Let me introduce you to this wonderful thing called Focal Filter. It saved my life during my first degree. It's free to download on your computer (and I have a similar free app on my phone called FocusMe). This allows me to block access to all apps and websites that distract me from my task for a time period of my own choosing. Usually this is an hour at a time, however if I've left an assignment til the last minute I will sometimes block everything for an entire day. Obviously there are distractions that are not online, and usually I can resolve this by relocating myself to my university campus library (but some students like to use the quiet study area to make noise). We can't have everything, I suppose.