1. 1. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Dr Helen Webster, Dr Caroline Crow On behalf of the Writing Development Centre Robinson Library Revision Strategies For enquiries about workshops, please email wdc@ncl.ac.uk
2. 2. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc The Revision Process select break down Learn revisit test Practise apply synthesise Organise rework
3. 3. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc What is the purpose of exams? What do exams test that other forms of assessment dont? Pair discussion: List three things which can best be tested by exams rather than other forms of assessment like coursework.
4. 4. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Knowledge Understanding Application Analysis Evaluation Synthesis ideas connections extensions What do exams test? Blooms taxonomy (revised)
5. 5. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc The difference between an exam and a coursework answer 55
6. 6. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Think about one of the modules youre revising for (and the exam paper you brought). If you were only allowed to take ten core pieces of knowledge into the exam, what would they be? What should be in your store cupboard?
7. 7. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Revising for Memory: process Storing Encoding Retrieving
8. 8. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Revising for memory: Principles Organise: Chunking Encode: Mnemonics Store: Repeating, Overlearning Spacing Retrieve: Testing New contexts
9. 9. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Mnemonic strategies How do you learn something? List all the strategies you use Compare with the person next to you Remove duplicates What does this tell you about your learning preferences? What new strategy might you try?
10. 10. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Revising for Memory: Practices and Preferences Pictures and visualisations Acronyms and word association Narratives and stories Chunking (into groups of 3-5), numbering and categorising Personal associations The locus method Sound: music, rhythm and rhyme April 29, 2015
11. 11. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Different Materials April 29, 2015
12. 12. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Revising for higher skills: typical examiners reports The forcing of prepared answers on ill-fitting questions substituted too often for fresh and thoughtful adaptation. Some candidates still regurgitate prepared answers regardless of the issue they are asked to address and this was reflected in lower marks. Candidates would do well to remember that this is a test of the ability to write and manage an argument. Now youve learned your material, what can you do with it?
13. 13. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Revising for higher skills: Analyse the exam paper you brought with you. What type of thinking do the questions typically require? Are they looking for a single right answer, or a range of possible right answers focussing on your reasoning? How might you practise using your learning in this way? April 29, 2015
14. 14. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Revising for Understanding: Active Learning 4 Essential principles: Select and prioritise (your working knowledge!) Reduce and expand Apply material to questions, test your ability to explain it Re-work material into another form Text to bullet points, bullet points to mind-map, mindmap to index cards, index cards to table, table to voice recording, recording to diagram etc April 29, 2015
15. 15. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Revising for higher skills: Write your own exam paper Make up a question in the style of those on your exam paper. What are you mainly going to test? Apply it for different purposes, imagine different uses Analyse it, break it down, see how parts relate to one another Synthesise it with another source or topic Evaluate it possible approaches, solutions etc April 29, 2015
16. 16. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Where to start? Revision Resources Lecture handouts Your lecture notes Main textbooks and alternative ones Your coursework Notes from additional reading Course handbook Past papers Past external examiners reports Model answers The Internet April 29, 2015
17. 17. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Organise your materials - The Overview MODULE Topic 1 Lectures 1-3 Textbook ch 2, 4 Topic 2 Lectures 4, 5 Textbook ch 8 Topic 3 Lectures 6-8 Textbook ch 3, 5
18. 18. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Organise your materials: detailed break down Topic 1 A B CD E
19. 19. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Organise your material: Making connections Subject 1 Subject 2 Subject 3
20. 20. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Realistic Time management Keep working sessions short take frequent breaks Do not aim to work excessive hours per day, or much out of your usual routine Change topic frequently and revisit topics regularly Get an early night before an exam! April 29, 2015
21. 21. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Case Study One: Matthews exams start in two weeks time. He also has a dissertation deadline two days before his exams begin. He still has his final chapter and a conclusion to write. He is really worried about fitting effective revision around his other work. He feels overwhelmed by his workload and cant figure out where to start with his revision. What would you advise him?
22. 22. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Case Study Two: Lauras exams start in ten days time. She has started her revision early, as her marks are currently borderline 2:1 to 1st and really needs this exam to push her over that grade boundary. Shes done a lot of work for a particular module, but doesnt feel like any of it is going in. She has struggled with this module all semester and doesnt feel she understands the material. What would you advise her?
23. 23. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc Case study What are the issues here? What are the causes? What advice would you give?
24. 24. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc The Writing Development Centre Understanding assignment types, questions, instructions and marking criteria Critical thinking, critiquing and reviewing literature Note-taking from lectures and reading Planning and structuring writing (incl. paragraphing) Academic writing style (incl. fundamentals of grammar) Understanding and using feedback to improve your work Referencing, citing and avoiding plagiarism Managing time, work and writing (incl. writers block and procrastination) Exams and Revision Managing research projects, dissertations and theses Presentations and posters Learning effectively in lectures, seminars, classes, labs etc
25. 25. Writing Development Centre University Library facebook.com/NUlibraries @ncl_wdc The Writing Development Centre Level 2, Robinson Library Our team offers: - One-to-one tutorials on study skills and all stages and types of academic writing - A programme of workshops on aspects of study and academic writing - Online resources You can book appointments and workshops with us online: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wdc/