Contained on this page are a range of strategies to enhance comprehension:
- Protégé Method
- Active Learning Strategies
- Understand First, Memorize Later
- Concentrate on What You Do Not Know
- Create Vocabulary Lists
- Utilize Assistive Technology
This method involves explaining concepts to a beginner. With this technique, you can practice the strategies of elaboration and concrete examples. Explaining what you are learning to friends and family is a good option, but you can also record yourself or write an explanation. It may be beneficial to use Kurzweil or other technology to record and play back the material you need to learn.
- Explain the concept as if you were explaining this to someone not familiar with the subject.
- Reflect on where your gaps in knowledge were and note these to review.
- Revise and repeat the explanation until you are comfortable.
Try to make your study time as interactive as possible. Making your learning interactive can improve focus on the material and can improve your understanding of the material if you learn best by doing. Think about how you can make your learning more interactive. Examples of this include:
- Re-organizing study notes
- Drawing diagrams
- Doing practice tests
- Using flashcards
Understand First, Memorize Later
Memorize as little as possible.
- Most of your study time should be used to understand how concepts work or solving problems (i.e. math problem sets)
- Memorizing formulas and procedures without understanding them makes them more difficult to apply to problems. Focusing on the theories and principles will help you understand when to apply particular formulas.
- Theories, formulas, and procedures can be memorized, but first and foremost they should be understood and practised through repetition and spacing out studying over a period of time so the information can be transferred to memory.
Try to answer questions such as:
- Why is each step a part of the procedure?
- Why are the steps applied in the order they are given?
- How can I recognize what kinds of problems can be solved by using the procedure?
Apply the ACE steps.
- Answer each problem by working it out in writing. If you had to look at the answer before completing the problem, write it out without looking at the answer again.
- Confirm that each answer is correct.
- Examine your understanding of each problem.
- What was the point of this problem?
- What common errors do I need to avoid when working out problems of this kind?
Concentrate on What You Do Not Know
Simple as it may sound, many students often spend their time concentrating on topics that they already understand rather than devoting their attention to topics that are more confusing. Learning is a process of understanding new information, so you will want to focus your energy on learning concepts that are new or you do not understand well yet.
Creating vocabulary lists can help with information you miss which leads to confusion and a lack of understanding.
Assistive technology can be any equipment that helps you learn and/or perform academic skills. This can be as simple as using an agenda or as advanced as using software to help you read and write. All students may benefit from assistive technology at times, particularly when tired or dealing with a large amount of work.
Assistive technology is a good fit when it utilizes your strengths while learning. For example, if you have strong listening skills, there is a range of software that converts text into an audio format which allows you to listen to your readings. If you are interested in exploring assistive technology, contact your Accessibility Services to speak with an assistive technology specialist. You can also watch Assistive Technology Videos to learn more.
Do you use Kuzweil as an accommodation and study aid?
Kurzweil Academy: This resource demonstrates how Kurzweil tools can improve study skills to increase reading comprehension.