How are you doing?

The end of the semester can be an awkward moment between realizing the course is almost over and yet knowing that it will take a few more weeks before finals arrive, students are trying to figure out the best way to bring closure to the semester. Unfortunately, many have not picked up some valuable skills for using the remaining weeks effectively.

Studies of college teaching reveal that we give students 3-5 times as much information as they received in high school. Successful students learn better strategies for organizing and integrating this wealth of material. Teachers can help by either providing information organizers or designing activities that challenge students to develop their own. This is an ideal time in the semester to encourage this work. It creates excellent study guides for finals by helping students get control of the current information. Here are some tips.

Information Organizers

Students should learn to find ways to organize information so that it is divided in segment of less than 6 items. Charts, matrices, graphs, diagrams or pictures can provide good memory tools for complex material.

Blank Matrices. Construct a matrix to compare and contrast key information. Leave some or all of the cells blank. Have students review readings and lecture materials to fill in the remaining cells. Typical matrices might have types (of poetry, animals, businesses or other categories) across the top with characteristics or qualities down the first column.

Concept Map. Assign students the task of creating concept maps for each section of the course (or part of the text). Students can make their maps available to each other through brief presentations, photocopies, bulletin boards, or even websites.

Dramatic Steps. If your course material has steps or stages, ask students to act out the steps. The performance could be a dramatic interpretation. It could be a role play. Or, it could be a case study. Whatever format, make sure that students see the overall process.

Simulated Exam. Offer your class a simulated exam. Have students write questions from each section of the course (ideally have them work in teams). Collect the questions and prepare it to return to students as a practice tool. Discuss with students what questions they chose and why (as well as important areas they neglected).

Connections

While the tips above use good memory aids, students will also find the course material more memorable when they understand the connections between it and other aspects of their lives.

Brainstorm. Divide students into groups of 5 and have them brainstorm the most important topics of the course. Have the group rank the top ones and develop a short explanation for why they think each is important.

Strategic Thinking. Connect your lesson to a model of strategic thinking. Have students write a short explanation of how they approach your subject -- the skills they think they need and the motivators that give them the will. Share results with the class.

Application: Now that the semester is close to its end, have students list applications for course material on an index card.

Reflections

Awareness. Students may not anticipate what their strengths and weaknesses are.

Each One Teach One. Have students prepare a mini-lesson taken from a list of key course concepts. These lessons could be put on video or audiotape and used for review. Brochures or handouts make another good format. Allow students who have been absent to prepare mini-lessons as a make-up assignment.

Final Comments

Taking a moment to pause and find out how the learning process is going in your classroom can be an extremely important way to sharpen student interest and efforts. At this point in the semester, there is still opportunity for everyone to profit from sharing this information. Decide what would help you help your students by stopping and asking "How are you doing?"

This Teaching Tip was first published by Indiana State University’s, Center for Teaching and Learning on April 6, 1998.