Study Skills

This week, for our video task, we were required to watch three different videos. One of them was about the best ways to study, the second one was about active reading and the third one was about media literacy. The first video, titled “The 3 best science based study tips” by Mike and Matty, focused on different, scientifically proven ways of effectively studying. I found that the process of quizzing yourself after studying a topic, called “active recall,” was my main way of studying in secondary school. I find this method of studying really effective! I was able to learn things off really well in a short amount of time since I had come up with the answers myself. I was also more likely to learn the answer off when I couldn’t remember it while quizzing myself. The video also discussed the strategies of spacing (studying when you’ve forgotten most, but not all, of the content you’re studying) and mixing (effectively practicing and using the concepts learned in order to understand them better.) I can see mixing being really beneficial to me, and I’ve often used spacing, just not in the way explained in the video. I would fully learn what I was studying, then whenever I had a test or needed to revise, I’d quiz myself and I’d usually re-learn quickly and efficiently. The second video, “5 Active reading strategies for textbook assignments” by Thomas Frank, covered some ways a student could really take in the information they have to read for assignments. I often use the skimming strategy in order to save time and not overload my head with information I don’t need. I wouldn’t usually mark my readings or summarize them, as Thomas explains in his video. I personally put the reading into a text-to-speech bot, or use a screen reader, and have the text read to me as I read along. I find that I often zone out while reading in my head or out loud, so it’s easier for me to focus and take in the information by reading along with someone else’s voice. The third video was a TED talk by Andrea Quijada, titled “Creating critical thinkers through media literacy.” I really enjoyed this talk! Quijada explains that, as a child, her parents would often make remarks on the subtext of certain TV ads, such as an ad that involved a man proposing to a woman with a diamond ring, the woman tearing up and accepting the proposal and the couple living happily ever after. After watching the advert, Quijada’s father turned to her and said “I guess I don’t love your Mom because I didn’t give her a diamond!” Quijada went on to teach media literacy in American schools and I think her class would have fascinated me at her student’s ages. I find the subtexts of adverts really interesting, such as portraying girls to focus on fashion and beauty rather than their education, or corporate manipulation trying to tempt people into putting themselves into debt with a brand new credit card. I think Quijada’s message is really important as well. There are more children online than ever before, with 28% of 8-12 year olds having unregulated access to the internet in Ireland. (CyberSafeKids, 2021) Media literacy is more important than ever, and I honestly believe that it should be taught in all schools as a part of online safety.

Reference list:

CyberSafeKids.ie (2021) "Social media use surges during lockdown" Available at: https://www.cybersafekids.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CyberSafeKids-Press-Release-SID-8.2.21.pdf

A young girl using a laptop for an online lesson.
Photo by Gomiche on Pixabay