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farther apart. The goal is to space reviews as far apart as possible, yet still be able to recall the information. Cognitive psychologist believe that spacing the review and recall makes Brainy work really hard to retrieve information. That builds stronger synaptic patterns and connections to the learned information. Recitation & Self-Testing: Recitation and self-testing are particularly effective study techniques because they force your brain to pull information from memory, generate an answer, and recite it aloud so you can hear it like actors learning their lines. Recite information to yourself, or reteach it to a brother, sister, parent—even your dog or stuffed animal. If you are uncomfortable reciting, try writing out your answers, and reading them aloud. Self-testing by quizzing yourself aloud or writing out answers builds retention skills and is an important aspect of time-spaced learning. Flashcards, whether handwritten or created on a flashcard program like Quizlet or StudyBlue, are simple and effective self-testing tools and can be stored in your backpack, or binder, or accessed online for review on-the-go. When you can say it from memory, you know it! T ime-Spaced F lashcards 1. W rite the information you need to learn on one side of the flashcard in short, simple sentences. 2. W rite a prompt ( cue word, mnemonic or question ) on the other side. 3. For three days in a row, when you do homework, lay the flashcards out on your desk, prompt side up. Select a card at random; read the cue aloud. 4. DO NOT TURN THE CARD OVER. Try to recite aloud, or write out from memory, the information on the other side. Check your answer. Repeat 2x for all cards. 5. S pace flashcard review intervals to every other day, then every three days. W hen you can recall the information after a significant interval you’ve learned it! 6. As your learn, add more information to your flashcard review until you have mastered all you need to learn. PRODUCT PREVIEW
THE 21st CENTURY STUDENT’S GUIDE TO STUDY SKILLS 167
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