Understanding how you learn

A WebQuest for High School Students that helps to identify and understand their learning style and improve their study skills.

agbcpa@attbi.com or nreilly113@aol.com

Introduction

Do you ever wonder how Bill and Suzie get such great grades with such little study time. Bill and Suzie may know something you don't know. They may have found out how they learn! Different learners need to "read and study" differently.

Starting with a short "Quiz" you will begin to unlock the secrets to how you learn. The hunt begins with exploring the different approaches for strategies in your learning type.

Remember, this is all about finding out how best you learn!

Task

You are to determine your learning type and reflect on this information in a few paragraphs. Using your new information, explore techniques for learning in the five major categories and share your favorites. Discover M.U.R.D.E.R AND SQ3R then share your experiences with them. Present three new learning techniques and provide a handout of your findings.

Determine your learning style
Write 2 to 4 paragraphs reflecting on that "style"
Find a new strategy for each of the following categories:

Reading

Memorization

Note taking

Listening

Writing

Evaluate and try M.U.R.D.E.R. approach.
Evaluate and try the SQ3R approach.
Present 3 clearly thought-out learning techniques.
Present your findings in a PowerPoint presentation.

Process

Begin your quest by visiting Abiator's On-line Learning and complete both learning styles tests using the first link below. Print both tests for your project portfolio. Next, visit your learning style (remaining on the Abiator's site) and write two to four paragraphs concerning your thoughts on how this information relates to you.

Now your quest begins. Using the links below explore the techniques for improving learning. Please note those of particular appeal or those you believe will be successful with your learning type. Remember you need to explore at least one new technique for each on the following areas: reading, writing, memorization, note taking, and listening. You also need to explore the techniques of M.U.R.D.E.R. and SQ3R relating them to your learning style.

Finishing your research in a classroom presentation that informs your classmates on your findings. Identify the three approaches you believe have the greatest learning value to you, include any new sites you found during your research. Your handout must state your learning style and the sites you found most valuable.

Print your learning style detail sheet
Write 2 to 4 paragraphs on why you agree with your learning style.
Explore learning approaches in each of the five major categories.
Research and identify three new study ideas in each area.
Use your 2 to 4 paragraph reflection in your writing section.
Research notes will need to be turned in for review.

Evaluation

Your grade will be based on the level of accomplishment in the categories listed below. However, it is important to remind you that learning to improve your study skills is a long goal with success being the process of improvement. Learning to improve your study skills will help you in all subject areas.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4
Identified learning style and provided reflective feedback.	Learning style identified with limited reflection.	Learning style identified with some reflection.	Learning style identified with adequate reflection.	Learning style identified with considerable refection.
Provided three clearly thought out learning approaches and applied them to a subject.	Three new approaches identified with beginning level of performance.	Three new approaches identified with movement toward mastery of performance.	Three new approaches with identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Three new approaches identified with characteristics reflecting the highest level of understanding performance.
Found and explained the SQ3R concept.	Concept explanation reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Concept explained with some refection and movement toward understanding.	Concept explained in detail exhibiting mastery of performance.	Concept explained with confidence and experience reflecting the highest level proficiency.
Located and explained the M.U.R.D.E.R. learning technique.	Concept explanation reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Concept explained with some refection and movement toward understanding.	Concept explained in detail exhibiting mastery of performance.	Concept explained with confidence and experience reflecting the highest level proficiency.
Provided an example of the learning style approach in reading.	Research approach showed efforts made toward beginning level.	Research approach indicated effort and reflection toward higher level performance.	Students ability to understand and use various techniques moving toward mastery.	Student is well versed on the different approaches with characteristics of mastery.
Provided an example of the learning style approach in memorization.	Research approach showed efforts made toward beginning level.	Research approach indicated effort and reflection toward higher level performance.	Students ability to understand and use various techniques moving toward mastery.	Student is well versed on the different approaches with characteristics of mastery.
Provided an example of the learning style approach in Note taking.	Research approach showed efforts made toward beginning level.	Research approach indicated effort and reflection toward higher level performance.	Students ability to understand and use various techniques moving toward mastery.	Student is well versed on the different approaches with characteristics of mastery.
Provided an example of the learning style approach in Listening.	Research approach showed efforts made toward beginning level.	Research approach indicated effort and reflection toward higher level performance.	Students ability to understand and use various techniques moving toward mastery.	Student is well versed on the different approaches with characteristics of mastery.
Provided an example of the learning style approach in Writing.	Research approach showed efforts made toward beginning level.	Research approach indicated effort and reflection toward higher level performance.	Students ability to understand and use various techniques moving toward mastery.	Student is well versed on the different approaches with characteristics of mastery.
Produce a presentation of your newly acquired techniques with a handout.	Presentation and handout show beginning level.	Presentation and handout show some mastery areas.	Presentation and handout show movement toward mastery.	Presentation and handout show significant development towards mastery.

Conclusion

Using our time wisely to accomplished the greatest number of tasks with the least amount of effort is an admirable goal for students and teachers alike. Taking the time to share and work with others that have the same learning style may help you develop other workable solutions.

Credits & References

Thanks for the resources of The WebQuest Page and the Design Patterns for their templates and training materials. Special thanks to Dr. Jane Legacy and Eve Fogarty for their inspiration, assistance, and support.

"We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL."

Last updated on February 12, 2003. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page