How to Ace Dr. Russo’s Chem 1001 Course: Metacognition is the Key!

1. How to Ace Dr. Russo’sChem 1001 Course:Metacognition is the Key! Dr. Saundra Y. McGuire Director, Center for Academic Success Adjunct Professor of Chemistry

2. 2005 National College Learning Center AssociationFrank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award

3. The Story of Five LSU Students • Travis, junior psychology student 47, 52, 82, 86 • Robert, freshman chemistry student 42, 100, 100, 100 • Amy, junior organic chemistry student 54, 82, 76, 78 • Michael, senior pre-medical organic student 30, 28, 80, 91 • Terrence, junior Bio Engineering student GPA 1.67 cum, 3.54 (F 03), 3.8 (S 04)

4. Fall 2005 Date of Final Exam: December 14, 2005 Meeting with Student No. 1: December 12, 2005 Meeting with Student Nos. 2 & 4: December 2, 2005 Meeting with Student No. 3: December 8, 2005 The final was worth 100 points with a 10 bonus question.

5. What we will cover today • Why university students may be inefficient learners • Metacognition and its role in learning • Learning strategies that work, and why • Barriers to using these strategies and how to overcome them

6. Why 1001 is Harder Than Some Courses • The course moves a lot faster • The material is conceptual, not solely based on memorization • The problems require you to think • The tests are less straightforward and require you to apply concepts

7. This pyramid depicts the different levels of thinking we use when learning. Notice how each level builds on the foundation that precedes it. It is required that we learn the lower levels before we can effectively use the skills above. Bloom’s Taxonomy Evaluation Graduate School Making decisions and supporting views; requires understanding of values. Combining information to form a unique product; requires creativity and originality. Synthesis Identifying components; determining arrangement, logic, and semantics. Analysis Undergraduate Using information to solve problems; transferring abstract or theoretical ideas to practical situations. Identifying connections and relationships and how they apply. Application Restating in your own words; paraphrasing, summarizing, translating. Comprehension High School Memorizing verbatim information. Being able to remember, but not necessarily fully understanding the material. Knowledge Louisiana State University  Center for Academic Success  B-31 Coates Hall  225-578-2872  www.cas.lsu.edu

8. Example from Quiz 1 • The ion with 12 protons, 13 neutrons and 10 electrons is: • Ne+3 • C+2 • Mn+2 • B+2 • Be+1

9. Dimensions for our classroom are about 10’ x 30’ x 45’. The density of air is about 0.0012 g/mL. The mass of air in our room is:a) 43 gramsb) 14,200 gramsc) 0.0043 kgd) 460 kge) 1.42 kg

10. Which of the following are in the order: element, compound, mixture, solution?A) Milk, Mercury, Iced Tea, Orange Juiceb) Orange Juice, Cement, Oxygen, a piece of lumberc) Iron, sodium chloride, oatmeal, beerd) Air, Water, Elmer’s Glue, 7upe) Potassium, sodium bicarbonate, syrup, pancake batter

11. So, What Can You Do Now? • Spend more time studying chemistry (at least 9 hours per week) • Aim for 100% understanding • Use the tutorial center and office hours • Use the Study Cycle and Intense Study Sessions • Study Smarter for Chemistry

12. Using Metacognition to Become an Expert Learner

13. Metacognition The ability to: • think about thinking • be consciously aware of oneself as a problem solver • to monitor and control one’s mental processing

14. Turning Yourself into an Efficient Chemistry Learner • Do “think aloud” exercises • Constantly ask yourself “why” and “what if” questions • Move your activities higher on the Bloom’s taxonomy scale by comparing and contrasting, thinking of analogies, thinking of new pathways, etc. • Always test your understanding by verbalizing or writing about concepts; practice retrieval of information

15. Study Strategies Gold Nugget • The Study Cycle with Intense Study Sessions

16. The Study Cycle Phase One: Read or preview chapters to be covered in class… before class (Create chapter maps) Phase Two: Go to Class. Listen actively, take notes, participate in class Phase Three: Review and process class notes as soon as possible after class Phase Four: Incorporate Intense Study Sessions Repeat

17. Intense Study Sessions • 2 - 5 minutes: Set goals for next 40 min. • 30 - 40 minutes: Read text more selectively/highlight • Make doodles/notes in margins • Create mnemonics, work examples • Create maps • 5 minutes Review what you have just studied • 10 minutes Take a break • Repeat

18. Other Techniques to Try Immediately • Concept Mapping • Practice Retrieval List Concepts and Practice “Teaching” ________ ______ _______ ________ ______ _______ ________ ______ _______

19. Get the Most Out of Lecture • Arrive early • Actively participate • Review notes soon after class • Rework all example problems done in class

20. Get the Most Out of Homework • Start the material early--the day it is assigned • Do not flip back to see examples; work the problem yourself! • Don’t give up too soon (<15 min.) • Don’t spend too much time (>30 min.)

21. Get the Most from SI, the Tutorial Center, and Office Hours • Try to understand the concept or work the problem by yourself first • Come prepared to ask questions • Explain the material to the tutor or professor or study group members

22. The LSU Dental School First Year Class: An Amazing Success Story! • Metacognition Discussion – August 13, 2004 • Histology Exam – August 23, 2004 • Previous class averages: 74 – 77 • Challenge to class on August 13: 84 average • Reported average on August 24: 85!

23. Challenge to Dr. Russo’s 1001 Class • Metacognition Discussion – March 2, 2007 • Increase average over quiz average • Reward: To be determined by Dr. Russo

24. Writing Exercise What behavior will you implement between now next week?

25. If you don’t try it in within the next 48 hours... … you probably never will.

26. BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY TUTORIAL CENTER 113 E.B. Doran Mon – Thurs: 11:00 am – 4:30pm Fri: 11pm – 3 pm

27. ON-LINE STUDY STRATEGIES WORKSHOPS • Time Management • College Reading and Note Taking • Managing Test Anxiety • Test Taking Strategies • Concept Mapping

28. INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS • Specific Study Strategies • Concept Mapping • Test Preparation

29. FABULOUS WEB SITE WWW.CAS.LSU.EDU • Study Smarter Workshops On Line • Weekly and Semester Planners • GPA Calculator • Great Links • Web Page Development • Study Strategies Sites • Graduate Exam Links (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT)

30. The Center for Academic SuccessB-31 Coates Hallwww.cas.lsu.edu Unlock your excellence and ace Chem 1201!