A Pen that Records the Lecture While You Take Notes

Sometimes technology distracts us from learning; other times, new technology provides tools that can help us learn.   The Livescribe smartpen is an intriguing tool that might be useful for some students.  Using the pen, a student can record a lecture while taking notes; after the lecture, the student can tap on a section of the notes to hear what was being said when those notes were written.  Notes and audio can also be downloaded to a computer via a USB connection.

Learn more at http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/solutions/students/.  And no, I get no commission for any sales; I'm just sharing an interesting tool.

Using APA Format Effectively

Stressed out because you don't know APA style for citations?  Sue O'Donnell (Associate Professor of Psychology) will present “Using APA Format Effectively” in Hoover 105 from 10:40-11:30 on Friday, September 28, 2012.  Sue will cover American Psychological Association (APA) citation and reference formatting, along with several guidelines for writing in APA style.

APA style is the primary style required in many social sciences - psychology, sociology, social work - and is used in George Fox education and nursing departments.  Even if you've used APA style before, Sue's session will be useful since she includes information about any changes that have occurred in APA style.

Focus on Learning, not Grades

I frequently meet with students who express high anxiety over test-taking, either because they have difficulty learning course content or because they experience a mental block when they sit down to take the test.  Our conversation generally winds its way to one of my most repeated phrases: Focus on learning, not on grades.  I drive home this point with any individual or group I meet with to talk about academic success; whether on tests, papers, homework, or projects, I practically beg students to exert their effort on the learning process and to let go of any fixation on grades.  A funny thing happens for those who invest in learning – they generally end up with good grades, too.  Conversely, students can get an A in a class without learning much from the course.

What does it look like to focus on learning?  Let’s start with a commonly repeated formula that suggests that students should spend two hours out of class for every hour in class.  This standard will certainly fluctuate based on course demands and time of semester, yet a survey of George Fox students indicated that 70% spent 15 hours or less per week preparing for class (studying, reading, writing, doing homework or lab work, analyzing data, rehearsing, and other academic activities).  Given that a full-time load is 12-18 hours of class per week, most students aren’t spending sufficient time on learning activities once they leave class; they are spending about one hour out of class for every hour in class – half the recommended time.

So what?  If they’re completing their reading (a big IF for some students), turning in their homework, and taking notes in class, isn’t that enough?  It would be enough if learning was just a matter of jumping through hoops, but we all know that there is more to learning than checking off boxes on a to-do list.  Consider musicians preparing for a first performance, or athletes getting ready for the first game of the season.  Neither type of performer does a set of activities only once to achieve mastery; instead, new material is introduced then practiced...and practiced...and practiced...until the musician doesn’t have to think about fingering on an instrument and the athlete doesn’t have to contemplate the motion needed to shoot the ball.  The process has become so ingrained, so much a part of the person, that execution comes naturally; the mind and body have developed mastery of the movements required to accomplish the goal.  

Too often, students don’t apply to academics what they’ve learned about rehearsal and practice in other domains such as sports, music, theater, even video games.  Greater learning will occur if students complete reading, finish homework, take notes, and then review their material.  Some review might be daily, other review might be weekly, but by the time a test comes up, an effective learner will have interacted with the course content multiple times, reducing the need to “cram” everything into his or her brain the night before the exam.

In addition to conversations such as this, I’m available to meet with students to discuss specific learning strategies, challenges in particular courses, or other topics related to academic success.  I often refer students to other campus resources such as their professors, advisors in their major, enrollment counselors, the Academic Resource Center (the ARC), Resident Assistants (RAs), or the Disability Services Office.  As you interact with your son or daughter, encourage them to focus on learning and to take advantage of resources on campus – not just to get by, but to thrive as a learner.

"Sleep" and "College" are not mutually exclusive terms

For some students, "sleep" and "college" are mutually exclusive terms.  However, research indicates that getting enough sleep is critical to effective mental and physical functioning.  Don't short-change yourself -- and your education -- by taking shortcuts with your sleep.

The following tips are provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to help students get the most out of their sleep:

Go to bed early
Students should go to bed early enough to have the opportunity for a full night of sleep. Adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Get out of bed
If you have trouble falling asleep, get out of bed and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.

Stay out of bed
Don’t study, read, watch TV or talk on the phone in bed. Only use your bed for sleep.

Limit naps
If you take a nap, then keep it brief. Nap for less than an hour and before 3 p.m.

Wake up on the weekend
It is best to go to bed and wake up at the same times on the weekend as you do during the schoolweek. If you missed out on a lot of sleep during the week, then you can try to catch up on the weekend. But sleeping in later on Saturdays and Sundays will make it very hard for you to wake up for classes on Monday morning.

Avoid caffeine
Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and at night. It stays in your system for hours and can make it hard for you to fall asleep.

Adjust the lights
Dim the lights in the evening and at night so your body knows it will soon be time to sleep. Let in the sunlight in the morning to boost your alertness.

Wind down
Take some time to “wind down” before going to bed. Get away from the computer, turn off the TV and the cell phone, and relax quietly for 15 to 30 minutes.

Eat a little
Never eat a large meal right before bedtime. Enjoy a healthy snack or light dessert so you don’t go to bed hungry.

See http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=659 for the full article .