You can't just regurgitate what you've been taught, you need to understand it and be able to explain the same concepts with different examples. So basically, you need to recall information but also show that you understand it.
1. How to remember information
Make it so you spread your learning across the whole topic and grasp all the basics
once you have the basics sussed, you can build on them
Define all the key words Construct a definition list and complete it using your workbook and notes - so that you know what all the words mean. You could then use this to:
create a Kahoot
play Charades!
make Flashcards
Organize your notes Make sure all your notes are fully written out and in the same format, in one easy-to-reach location. This could be:
In one workbook (you might buy a new one from the school shop to write up all your notes)
In one Google doc or Google slides
In one folder on Google Drive, with the documents numbered in order
Highlight or post-it-note anything you don't understand and find it out!
Read through your workbook and notes and highlight any word or concept you don't quite get. Ask your friends during a study session, email your teacher or ask them to explain it to you in class!
Make a brainstorm
Think of once concept (e.g. photosynthesis) and make a brainstorm of all the information relating to it.
Then think of another concept (e.g. plant life cycle) and fit your original concept, along with others, into the 'bigger' concept. Link all the ideas together by drawing lines between them - this turns your brainstorm into a concept map!
Reach multistructual level of SOLO You should be able to confidently complete all learning objectives within the unistructual and multistructural columns on the SOLO grid!
2. How to understand information
It's one thing to know and be able to remember stuff, but you need to actually understand it!
Create a comprehensive concept map Read through your notes again (and perhaps your workbook or the internet) and find links between ideas you're familiar with
Draw lines between the concepts and write on the line how the concepts are linked
Write an explanation (give a reason or two) regarding how or why the two concepts are linked - what affect does one have on the other?
Practice answering short- and long- answer questions from your workbook Go through your workbook and answer (or re-write your previous answers) from:
questions within each chapter
end-of-chapter questions
You could also make up your own questions and answer them
Explain it to someone else Go and actually talk to someone about what you're learning - a classmate, someone from a different class, your parents or grandparents, anyone who is willing to listen
capture their interest
explain the concept to them
see if they can explain it back to you
If you find yourself getting stuck or confusing yourself, make a note of it (use your phone for something actually useful!) and then go back and revise that concept!
Ask for or find some exam/test questions to practice with
Give them a go without using your notes, then
Give them a go using your notes, then
Give them a go using your notes and a list of descriptive and linking words
Re-write them using the marking schedule, but write them better than the marking schedule!
Or you could do it backwards:
Write an answer using the marking schedule, but making it better than the marking schedule!
Write it using just your notes and linking words, but with no marking schedule
Write it using just your notes
Write it using just what you have in your head
Reach relational and extended abstract levels of SOLO You should be able to confidently complete all learning objectives within the relational and extended abstract columns on the SOLO grid!
Attend tutorials
You should aim to attend some tutorials so that you can have some 1-on-1 time with a teacher who can go through anything with you or question you to help you demonstrate your understanding! You may need to ask your teacher for tutorial times!
Below are some websites that might give you some ideas and motivation to get you into a good revision routine! Click the picture to be taken to the website!