'The 100 Best Video Sites For Educators'

Bringing multimedia into the classroom is a great way to engage students in learning. Supplementing lessons, opening up new interests, and offering inspiration, online videos make for an incredible teaching tool. In 2010, we covered our favorite 100 video sites for educators, and we’ve now updated our list for 2012 with more than 100 resources and more than 25 brand new entries. Read on, and you’ll be able to check out the very best sources for educational videos on the web.

Specifically designed for education, these collections make it easy to find video learning resources.

1. TeacherTube: This YouTube for teachers is an amazing resource for finding educationally-focused videos to share with your classroom. You can find videos uploaded by other teachers or share your own.
2. Edutopia: An awesome place to find learning ideas and resources, Edutopia has videos, blogs, and more, all sorted into grade levels.
3. YouTube EDU: A YouTube channel just for education, you can find primary and secondary education, university-level videos, and even lifelong learning.
4. Classroom Clips: Classroom Clips offers media for educators and students alike, including video and audio in a browseable format.
5. neoK12: Find science videos and more for school kids in K-12 on neoK12.
6. OV Guide: Find education videos on this site, featuring author readings and instructional videos.
7. CosmoLearning: This free educational website has videos in 36 different academic subjects.
8. Google Educational Videos: Cool Cat Teacher offers this excellent tutorial for finding the best of Google’s educational videos.
9. Brightstorm: On Brightstorm, students can find homework help in math and science, even test prep, too.
10. Explore.org: Explore.org shares live animal cams, films, educational channels, and more for your classroom to explore.
11. UWTV: Offered by the University of Washington, UWTV has videos in the arts, K-12, social sciences, health, and more.
12. Videolectures.net: With Videolectures.net, you’ll get access to browseable lectures designed for the exchange of ideas and knowledge, offering videos in architecture, business, technology, and many more categories.
13. TED-Ed: From a site that’s long been known for big ideas, you’ll find TED-Ed, videos specifically designed to act as highly engaging and fun lessons.
14. Zane Education: Zane Education offers resources for visual learning, including the very popular on demand subtitled videos.
15. Backpack TV: In this educational video library, you’ll find a special interest in math, science, and other academic subjects.
16. MentorMob: Featuring learning playlists, MentorMob is a great place to find lessons you want to teach.
17. Disney Educational Productions: This resource from Disney is a great place to find videos for students at the K-12 level.

General Video Collections

Network TV, inspiring talks, and more are all available in these collections. Check out special categories and searches to find videos that will work in your classroom.

18. Hulu: A great place to find the latest TV shows, Hulu is also a source of educational videos. Documentaries, PBS, even Discovery videos are all available on the site.
19. Internet Archive: Find so much more than videos in the Internet Archive. Images, live music, audio, texts, and yes, historical and educational videos are all available on Archive.org.
20. TED: Share seemingly endless inspiration with your students through TED, a fountain of talks based on compelling ideas.
21. MIT Video: Online education giant MIT has an incredible video collection, offering more than 10,000 videos for science, technology, and more.
22. TVO: TVO is a really fun and useful online TV station, with great ways for kids, parents, and educators to learn about the world.
23. Big Think: Much like TED, Big Think offers videos (and more) from some of the world’s top thinkers and learners.
24. @Google Talks: On this YouTube channel, you’ll find talks from creators: authors, musicians, innovators, and speakers, all discussing their latest creations.
25. Metacafe: Find free video clips from just about anywhere, offering educational videos, documentaries, and more.
26. Link TV: On Link TV, you’ll find videos and broadcasts meant to connect you and your students to the greater world through documentaries and cultural programs.

Teacher Education

Featuring higher-level learning, these video sites are great resources for finding education that’s fit for teachers.

27. Academic Earth: Learn about science, justice, economics, and more from some of the world’s great universities. You can even earn a degree from this site!
28. Teacher Training Videos: Specifically created to teach educators, Teacher Training Videos is a great place to find online tutorials for technology in education.
29. Classroom 2.0: Check out Classroom 2.0?s videos to learn about Web 2.0, social media, and more.
30. Atomic Learning: Visit Atomic Learning to find resources for K-12 professional development.
31. iTunesU: Find university-level learning and more from iTunesU.
32. Videos for Professional Development: An excellent collection of professional development videos, Wesley Fryer’s post shares some of the best teacher videos available.
33. Learner.org: Annenberg Learner offers excellent teacher professional development and classroom resources for just about every curriculum available.
34. MIT Open CourseWare: The leader in Open CourseWare, MIT has free lectures and videos in 2,100 courses.

Lesson Planning

Put together your lesson plans with the help of these useful video sites.

35. Teachers’ Domain: Join the Teachers’ Domain, and you’ll get access to educational media from public broadcasting and its partners, featuring media from the arts, math, science, and more.
36. Meet Me at the Corner: A great place for younger kids to visit, Meet Me At the Corner has educational videos, and kid-friendly episodes, including virtual field trips and video book reviews by kids, for kids.
37. WatchKnowLearn: WatchKnowLearn is an incredible resource for finding educational videos in an organized repository. Sorted by age and category, it’s always easy to find what you’re looking for.
38. BrainPOP: On this education site for kids, you’ll find animated educational videos, graphics, and more, plus a special section for BrainPOP educators.
39. The KidsKnowIt Network: Education is fun and free on this children’s learning network full of free educational movies and video podcasts.
40. Khan Academy: With more than 3,200 videos, Khan Academy is the place to learn almost anything. Whether you’re seeking physics, finance, or history, you’ll find a lesson on it through Khan Academy.
41. Awesome Stories: Students can learn the stories of the world on this site, with videos explaining what it was like to break ranks within the Women’s Movement, the life of emperor penguins, and even Martin Luther King, Jr’s “We Shall Overcome” speech.
42. Nobelprize: Cap off lessons about Nobel Prize winners with videos explaining their work and life, direct from the source on Nobelprize.org.
43. JohnLocker: JohnLocker is full of educational videos and free documentaries, including Yogis of Tibet andUnderstanding the Universe.

Science, Math, and Technology

You’ll find special attention for STEM subjects on these video sites.

44. Green Energy TV: On Green Energy TV, you’ll find learning resources and videos for the green movement, including a video version of the children’s book Living Green: A Turtle’s Quest for a Cleaner Planet.
45. BioInteractive: Find free videos and other resources for teaching “ahead of the textbook” from BioInteractive, part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
46. ARKive: Share images and videos of the world’s most endangered species with your students, thanks to ARKive. These wildlife films and photos are from some of the world’s best filmmakers and photographers, sharing stunning images that everyone can appreciate.
47. MathTV: Students who need extra help with math can find support on MathTV. This site offers videos explaining everything from basic mathematics all the way to trigonometry and calculus.
48. The Vega Science Trust: A project of Florida State University, The Vega Science Trust shares lectures, documentaries, interviews, and more for students to enjoy and learn from.
49. The Science Network: Check out The Science Network, where you’ll find the world’s leading scientists explaining concepts including viruses and the birth of neurons.
50. PopTech: Bringing together a global community of innovators, PopTech has videos explaining economics, water, and plant-based fuels.
51. PsychCentral: Students can learn about what makes people tick through PsychCentral’s brain and behavior videos.
52. How Stuff Works: The video channel from How Stuff Works offers an in-depth look at adventure, animals, food, science, and much more.
53. Science Stage: Find science videos, tutorials, courses, and more streaming knowledge on Science Stage.
54. Exploratorium TV: Allow students to explore science and beyond with Exploratorium TV’s videos, webcasts, podcasts, and slideshows.
55. SciVee: SciVee makes science visible, allowing searchable video content on health, biology, and more.
56. The Futures Channel: Visit the Futures Channel to find educational videos and activities for hands-on, real world math and science in the classroom.
57. All Things Science: For just about any science video you can imagine, All Things Science has it, whether it’s about life after death or space elevators.
58. ATETV: Check out Advanced Technological Education Television (ATETV) to find videos exploring careers in the field of technology.

History, Arts, and Social Sciences

Explore history and more in these interesting video collections.

59. The Kennedy Center: Find beautiful performances from The Kennedy Center’s Performance Archive.
60. The Archaeology Channel: Students can explore human cultural heritage through streaming media on The Archaeology Channel.
61. Web of Stories: On Web of Stories, people share their life stories, including Stan Lee, writer, Mike Bayon, WWII veteran, and Donald Knuth, computer scientist.
62. Stephen Spielberg Film and Video Archive: In this archive, you’ll find films and videos relating to the Holocaust, including the Nuremberg Trials and Hitler speeches.
63. Culture Catch: Students can tune into culture with Dusty Wright’s Culture Catch.
64. Folkstreams: On Folkstream.net, a national preserve of documentary films about American roots cultures, you’ll find the best of American folklore films.
65. Digital History: A project of the University of Houston, Digital History uses new technology, including video, to enhance teaching and research in history.
66. History Matters: Another university project, this one is from George Mason University. Sharing primary documents, images, audio, and more, there’s plenty of historic multimedia to go around on this site.
67. Social Studies Video Dictionary: Make definitions visual with this video dictionary for social studies.
68. The Living Room Candidate: From the Museum of the Moving Image, The Living Room Candidate features presidential campaign commercials from 1952 to 2008.
69. Video Active: Find Europe’s TV heritage through Video Active, a collection of TV programs and stills from European audiovisual archives.
70. Media Education Foundation: The Media Education Foundation offers documentary films and other challenging media for teaching media literacy and media studies.

Video Tools

Make it easy to find, share, and view videos with these tools.

71. DropShots: On DropShots, you’ll find free, private, and secure storage and sharing for video and photos.
72. Muvee: Using Muvee, you can create your own photo and video “muvees” to share privately with your class.
73. Tonido: Tonido makes it possible to run your own personal cloud, accessing video files on your computer from anywhere, even your phone.
74. Vidique: On Vidique, you’ll find a video syndication system where you can create your own channel of curated content for the classroom.
75. SchoolTube: On SchoolTube, you’ll find video sharing for both students and teachers, highlighting the best videos from schools everywhere.

Network and Program Videos

Check out these sites to find public broadcasting and other educational programs.

76. PBS Video: Watch and share PBS videos online with this site.
77. National Geographic: Find some of the world’s most amazing videos of natural life on National Geographic’s online video home.
78. NOVA Teachers: NOVA shares highly organized videos for teachers, with 1-3 hour programs divided into chapters, plus short 5-15 minute segments from NOVA scienceNOW.
79. Discovery Education: Use Discovery Education’s videos to inspire curiosity, bringing the Discovery channel into your classroom.
80. C-SPAN Video Library: Find Congressional and other political programs and clips in this digital archive from C-SPAN.
81. NBC Learn: Check out NBC Learn to find excellent resources for learning from NBC, including the science behind just about everything from the summer Olympics to hockey.
82. History.com: Watch full episodes, clips, and videos from the History channel.
83. Biography: Get the true story behind peoples’ lives from these videos from the Biography channel.
84. BBC Learning: BBC offers an excellent learning site, including learning resources for schools, parents, and teachers. One of BBC’s most impressive resources is a live volcano conversation discussing the world’s most active volcano in Hawaii.

Free Movies and Clips

Documentaries and other educational movies and clips are available on these sites.

85. Free Documentaries: On Free Documentaries, “the truth is free,” with a variety of documentary films available for streaming.
86. SnagFilms: On SnagFilms, you can watch free movies and documentaries online, with more than 3,000 available right now.
87. Top Documentary Films: Watch free documentaries online in this great collection of documentary movies.
88. TV Documentaries: This Australian site has excellent documentaries about child growth, historic events, and even animations about classical Greek mythology.

How-Tos

Satisfy students’ desire for knowledge and hands-on learning by sharing how-to videos from these sites.

89. 5min: If you’ve got five minutes, you can learn how to do something on this site. Check it out to find instructional videos and DIY projects.
90. Wonder How To: Learn everything about anything from Wonder How To’s show and tell videos.
91. Instructables: This community of doers shares instructions (often, video) for doing just about anything, from making secret doors to tiny origami.
92. Howcast: Find some of the best how-to videos online with Howcast.
93. MindBites: Check out MindBites to find thousands of video lessons, how-tos, and tutorials.
94. W3Schools: Through W3Schools’ web tutorials (video and otherwise), you can learn how to create your own websites.
95. Videojug: Videojug encourages users to “get good at life” by watching more than 60,000 available how-to videos and guides.

Government and Organizations

Offered as a service from government organizations and other groups, these are great places to find top-notch educational videos and often, historical treasures.

96. US National Archives: Explore US history in this YouTube channel from the US National Archives.
97. National Science Foundation: From the National Science Foundation, you’ll find a wealth of multimedia, including instructional and educational videos.
98. NASA eClips: NASA offers a great way for students and educators to learn about space exploration, with clips divided by grade level.
99. NASA TV: Tune in to NASA TV to watch launches, talks, even space station viewing.
100. Library of Congress: Through the Library of Congress, you can find videos and other classroom materials for learning about American history.
101. American Memory Collections: Search America’s collective memory to find videos and other multimedia from the American past, including film and sound recordings from the Edison Companies and 50 years of Coca-Cola TV ads.
102. Canadian National Film Bureau: Check out the Canadian National Film bureau to find hundreds of documentaries and animated films available online

The Power of Authentic Learning

A group of impassioned, budding environmentalists debates the pros and cons of clearing trees from the rain forest. They note the many resources that these massive forest areas provide to humans and discuss how cutting down the trees could affect the environment—the trees supply oxygen, for example. During the conversation, all group members are eager to share their opinions. The issue affects them and, indeed, all life on Earth.

Another group discusses organ donation. They talk about the specific health problems of patients waiting to receive organs and the urgent need for donors. This topic is especially relevant to the group because one of its members has a relative who is on the list to receive a kidney transplant.

What is unusual about these two groups of people is that they are not made up of scientists or doctors. Rather, they are elementary and middle school students trying to determine which real-world issue will serve as a research topic for a school project. These students are engaging in what is known as “authentic learning.”

Creating Authentic Learning Experiences

My first recognition that this was an ideal approach to teaching and learning came when I taught gifted elementary and middle school students in a pull-out program. Students spent one day each week with me learning about topics they chose. They would eagerly enter my classroom because they had control of the “what” and “how” of their learning. The assignments had meaning to them, and they had a vested interest in achieving their learning goals. As a result, the students worked much harder and longer than they might have if I had assigned the topics to them.

The 6th grade students who were interested in learning more about organ donation programs demonstrated that same enthusiasm. The five students began by brainstorming everything they knew collectively and then set out to research the subject. They spent many hours surfing the Web and perusing documents in the library. Students learned and practiced skills such as word processing and videotaping. They recorded the new information they acquired and logged questions they had. Then, we heard about a local man who had recently received a kidney that had been donated from another local man he knew. We arranged for students to interview the organ donor and recipient so that the students could learn first-hand about this issue.

Students created the plan for their investigation. They listed everything they had learned through research and identified what they still needed to learn, as well as what resources they would need. The students also determined what their final “real-world” product would be and how that product would be evaluated.

Because authentic learning spans disciplines, students would learn about science and language and gain other skills through this project. Students realized that they needed to learn how to conduct an interview, for example. After reviewing videos and how-to books on the subject, students began writing possible questions and holding mock interviews. As they practiced, they became more confident of their scientific knowledge about kidney transplants and more at ease with asking questions.

At last the big day came. Students videotaped the interview, which was held in the boardroom where the organ recipient worked. They asked about the surgical procedures, the recovery time, the physical maintenance after surgery, the dialysis process, the deepened friendship between the two men, their opinions of the positive and negative aspects of donation, and their emotional reactions. The students’ professionalism was impressive, and it was evident that they gained knowledge, skills, and a deep understanding of the subject matter.

Adult Roles in Authentic Learning

When students are actively involved in planning and executing their own authentic learning experiences, the teacher’s role becomes that of the primary support person—guiding students’ thinking and gathering resources. The teacher must be enthusiastic about learning and provide encouragement.

School administrators can assist teachers by supporting their innovative methods and by supplying funds to purchase necessary materials. Administrators need to become familiar with how authentic learning boosts students’ learning and achievement, and they need to lead the search for fresh and authentic ways to feed their students’ minds.

Parents can also assist in the authentic learning process, and teachers should work to facilitate their involvement. Many times, I would hold evening events (in the classroom, at the park, or wherever the project was taking place) so that parents could visit when students were making presentations. Other times, I would ask parents to help supply materials or provide transportation to visit experts on field trips. Finally, parents need to support the efforts of authentic learning practices and communicate the effectiveness to school administrators, teachers, and boards of education.

Taking on the World

Through authentic learning tasks, I have seen students of all ages become critical and creative thinkers, risk takers, and problem finders. They tackle large problems—problems that, like real-world issues, are messy and have more than one solution. Such genuine scenarios require that students use analytical decision-making processes and justify their choices.

Throughout the years, my students have completed many authentic learning projects, exploring topics that range from aviation to zoology. They have participated in many service projects to help solve community-based and worldwide problems. Students organized efforts to send money, food, and clothing to the poor in Honduras. They have tutored students and participated in community beautification and clean-up efforts. Through these activities, students also learned citizenship skills by taking responsibility for being productive members of our society.

At a young age, students enter school with a desire to learn. Authentic learning experiences fuel that motivation. What students learn, therefore, becomes all the more meaningful. Through authentic learning experiences, students don’t simply receive knowledge; they attain it.

INTERVIEWING TEACHER CANDIDATES

One of the most important job responsibilities of the principals is to hire the best teaching candidates available. Remember, the candidate is also looking you over so it is important to ask thoughtful, insightful questions that get to the heart of the matter and reflect the values you wish to emphasize. The candidate may decide to select your school over others based on his or her feelings about the quality of the interview. The following are some helpful questions (this is not an exhaustive list) and ideas that might yield important information about teacher candidates. These questions can also help the teacher candidates to be prepared for the interview in a school of their choice.

• In your opinion, how do children learn best?

• What do you remember about your best teacher?

• What would a visitor to your classroom hear, see, and experience?

• If I were to speak to a friend who knows you well, what might the friend say to describe you?

• When not in school, what do you enjoy doing?

• What are your greatest professional strengths? Or After reading your recommendations, I’m curious about what you think a supervisor would say about your teaching?

• If you could return to school or work with an expert mentor, what would you like to study? How would you like to grow?

• Why, in your opinion, do some children have an easier time learning than others?

• What are your beliefs about classroom management?

• How should the “high flyer” student be taught? The student having difficulty?

• How do you go about differentiating instruction?

• How do you feel about professional development?

• What other career would you pursue if you were not teaching?

• If you could choose your No. 1 ideal position in our school, what would it be? What would your second choice be? Why?

• What new ideas and teaching strategies do you think you can bring to this school?

• What excites you about education?

• Why should we hire you over other candidates?

• It’s important that you don’t leave this interview thinking, “I wish I had mentioned that!” So, is there anything that you would like to tell me or that I should know about that we have not already discussed?

A helpful addition to an interview may be to request that a classroom photo album be brought (if available) to the interview by the candidate. Looking at the faces of the students or the walls of the classroom can tell much about the candidate. Many systems also show a video lesson and ask teacher to analyze it. A teacher portfolio (writing samples are especially helpful) or video of a lesson is invaluable.

Remember, general questions can be asked in any interview, but for a quality interview principals must add some insightful questions in their list of questions. This will help in identifying effective teacher candidate for the school and also give the appreciable picture of the principal’s interviewing skill.

Effective Study Skills

How to Study and Make the Most of Your Time

No two people study the same way, and there is little doubt that what works for one person may not work for another. However, there are some general techniques that seem to produce good results. No one would argue that every subject that you have to take is going to be so interesting that studying it is not work but pleasure. We can only wish.

Everyone is different, and for some students, studying and being motivated to learn comes naturally. If you are reading this page, it’s likely that you are not one of them, but don’t despair, there is hope! Your success in high school and college is dependent on your ability to study effectively and efficiently. The results of poor study skills are wasted time, frustration, and low or failing grades. It’s your life, your time, and your future. All I can say, upon reflection of many years as a teacher, is that time is precious and not to be squandered, no matter what you believe right now.

 This guide is designed to help you develop effective study skills. It is not a magic formula for success in preparing for tests, or written or oral assignments. Studying any material requires work! However, by using the techniques described in this guide, and by applying yourself, you can gain a valuable edge in understanding material, preparing for tests, and, ultimately, learning. This guide contains some of the best and most effective techniques of successful students - students who typically have high grades in high school and college regardless of the courses they take. So read on, think about what you read, and prepare to become a successful student! If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please send to me.

Effective Study skills are about more than understanding

Effective study skills must be practiced in order for you to improve. It is not enough to simply “think about” studying; you have to actually do it, and in the process use information from what you do to get better. This is the central idea of this page. All that follows depends on this single concept. There is a saying that goes like this: “Practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.” If you want to be an achiever, take this saying to heart.

The value of a schedule

Before you even begin to think about the process of studying, you must develop a schedule. If you don’t have a schedule or plan for studying, then you will not have any way of allocating your valuable time when the unexpected comes up. A good, well thought out schedule can be a lifesaver. It’s up to you to learn how develop a schedule that meets your needs, revise it if necessary, and most important, follow it.

A schedule saves time

All schedules should be made with the idea that they can be revised. A good schedule keeps you from wandering off course. A good schedule, if properly managed, assigns time where time is needed, but you’ve got to want to do it!

Making every hour count

A schedule should take into account every class, laboratory, lecture, social event, and other work in which you engage. There are givens such as classes and so on that have to be incorporated. You must focus on the other “free time” available and how you will use it. Make a weekly schedule and block off the 24 hour day in one hour increments. Indicate times for classes, labs, lectures, social, and work time. Also block off a period for sleeping each day. With what is left over, plan time for study. This gives you a rough road map of the time available. Of course, you can revise your schedule as circumstances warrant.

When to study

The problem of when to study is critical. A good rule of thumb is that studying should be carried out only when you are rested, alert, and have planned for it. Last minute studying just before a class is usually a waste of time.

Studying for lecture courses

If your study period is before the lecture class, be sure you have read all the assignments and made notes on what you don’t understand. If the study period is after the lecture class, review the notes you took during class while the information is still fresh.

Studying for recitation courses

For classes that require recitation, such as foreign language, be sure to schedule a study period just before the class. Use the time to practice. Sometimes, practice with others can help sharpen your skills in a before-class study period.

Making and revising a schedule

Don’t be afraid to revise your schedule. Schedules are really plans for how you intend to use your time. If your schedule doesn’t work, revise it. You must understand that your schedule is to help you develop good study habits. Once you have developed them, schedule building becomes easier.

The Process of Study

How to use your time

Time is the most valuable resource a student has. It is also one of the most wasted of resources. The schedule you develop should guide you in how to allocate the available time in the most productive manner. Sticking to your schedule can be tough. Don’t dribble away valuable time. Avoiding study is the easiest thing in the world. It’s up to you to follow the schedule you prepared. A good deal of your success in high school or college depends on this simple truth.

Where to study

You can study anywhere. Obviously, some places are better than others. Libraries, study lounges or private rooms are best. Above all, the place you choose to study should not be distracting. Distractions can build up, and the first thing you know, you’re out of time and out of luck. Make choosing a good physical environment a part of your study habits.

Strategies

Thinking skills

Everybody has thinking skills, but few use them effectively. Effective thinking skills cannot be studied, but must be built up over a period of time. Good thinkers see possibilities where others see only dead-ends. If you’re not a good thinker, start now by developing habits that make you ask yourself questions as you read. Talk to other students who you feel are good thinkers. Ask them what it is they do when they think critically or creatively. Often times, you can pick up valuable insights to help you become a better thinker.

The SQ3R method

The SQ3R method has been a proven way to sharpen study skills. SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. Take a moment now and write SQ3R down. It is a good slogan to commit to memory to carry out an effective study strategy.

Survey - get the best overall picture of what you’re going to study BEFORE you study it an any detail. It’s like looking at a road map before going on a trip. If you don’t know the territory, studying a map is the best way to begin.

Question - ask questions for learning. The important things to learn are usually answers to questions. Questions should lead to emphasis on the what, why, how, when, who and where of study content. Ask yourself questions as you read or study. As you answer them, you will help to make sense of the material and remember it more easily because the process will make an impression on you. Those things that make impressions are more meaningful, and therefore more easily remembered. Don’t be afraid to write your questions in the margins of textbooks, on lecture notes, or wherever it makes sense.

Read - Reading is NOT running your eyes over a textbook. When you read, read actively. Read to answer questions you have asked yourself or questions the instructor or author has asked. Always be alert to bold or italicized print. The authors intend that this material receive special emphasis. Also, when you read, be sure to read everything, including tables, graphs and illustrations. Often times tables, graphs and illustrations can convey an idea more powerfully than written text.

Recite - When you recite, you stop reading periodically to recall what you have read. Try to recall main headings, important ideas of concepts presented in bold or italicized type, and what graphs charts or illustrations indicate. Try to develop an overall concept of what you have read in your own words and thoughts. Try to connect things you have just read to things you already know. When you do this periodically, the chances are you will remember much more and be able to recall material for papers, essays and objective tests.

Review - A review is a survey of what you have covered. It is a review of what you are supposed to accomplish, not what you are going to do. Rereading is an important part of the review process. Reread with the idea that you are measuring what you have gained from the process. During review, it’s a good time to go over notes you have taken to help clarify points you may have missed or don’t understand. The best time to review is when you have just finished studying something. Don’t wait until just before an examination to begin the review process. Before an examination, do a final review. If you manage your time, the final review can be thought of as a “fine-tuning” of your knowledge of the material. Thousands of high school and college students have followed the SQ3R steps to achieve higher grades with less stress.

Reading

A primary means by which you acquire information is through reading. In college you’re expected to do much more reading than in high school. Don’t assume just because you’ve “read” the assignments that is the end of it. You must learn to read with a purpose. In studying, you may read the same assignment three or four times, each time with a different purpose. You must know before you begin reading what your purpose is, and read accordingly.

Getting the Main Idea

Getting the main idea in reading is central to effective studying. You must learn what the author’s central idea is, and understand it in your own way. Every paragraph contains a main idea. Main ideas are perfect for outlining textbooks. Make it a habit to find the main idea in each paragraph you read.

Extracting Important Details

Extracting important details means that you locate in your reading the basis for main ideas. There is usually one important detail associated with every main idea. The more important details you can identify, the easier it will be to review for examinations because you have made a link between an idea and information that supports it. The more links you can make between details and ideas, as well as ideas themselves, the more powerful will be the efforts of your study.

Don’t Read Aloud to Yourself

Generally, reading aloud to yourself does not help you study more effectively. If you move your lips while you read, you’re not reading efficiently. If you read aloud or move your lips while you’re reading, you are reading slowly, so stop moving your lips. Try putting a finger over your lips. Your finger will remind you not to move your lips. Make an effort to read faster and retain more - after a while, you’ll be surprised how little effort it will take.

Taking Notes

Like reading, note-taking is a skill which must be learned and refined. Almost invariably, note taking, or the lack of it, is a constant deficiency in the study methods of many high school and college students. Learning the ingredients of good note taking is rather easy; applying them to your own situation depends on how serious you are in becoming a successful student.

Where to Keep Notes

You must learn to keep notes logically and legibly. Remember, if you can’t read your own writing a few days after taking notes, they are of little use. By all accounts, the best place to keep notes is in a loose-leaf notebook. Use dividers to separate the different classes you take. Make it a habit of using your notebook to record ALL your notes. If you’re caught without your notebook and need to take notes, always have a supply of loose-leaf paper with you. Insert your note papers into the notebook as soon as you can. Be sure to buy a good notebook, as it will get a lot of wear and tear.

Outlining Textbooks

First of all, don’t underline. Use a highlighter. Experience has shown that text passages highlighted are more easily remembered than the same passages underlined. In outlining a text, don’t just read along and highlight what seem to important words. That technique rarely works. The act of outlining works much better.

Taking Lecture Notes

Surveying, Questioning, Listening

Taking accurate and concise lecture notes is essential. Develop the habit of taking notes using appropriate methods described earlier in the SQ3R technique. For example, when you listen to a lecture, formulate questions as you listen. Your main job in taking lecture notes is to be a good listener. To be a good listener, you must learn to focus and concentrate on the main points of the lecture. Get them down, and then later reorganize them in your own words. Once you have done this, you have set the stage for successful reviewing and revising.

Reviewing and Revising

As you prepare for examinations, tests, or other assessments, you should spend time reviewing and revising your lecture notes. Begin the process by reviewing your notes right after a lecture. If you wait too long, you may discover that the notes just don’t make sense. Don’t hesitate to revise your notes based on the review process.

Research Notes

Any form of note-taking that requires compilation of information by categories, rather than in narrative form is best done using index cards. You can sort, edit and arrange index cards to suit your particular study needs. The most important point in using cards is to indicate the correct reference or topic at the top of the card. Use the cards for study, review, to help organize information for papers, reports, or projects. An even better idea, if you have a personal computer, is to organize your categorical information in a database. Once you set it up, finding, updating and adding new information is quite easy. If you have a printer, you can print out your notes in a variety of ways.

Taking Examinations

Objective Examinations

Surveying

Survey any objective examination to find out what types of questions are being asked. Surveying helps you to know what to expect.

Knowing the Ground Rules

Always read directions! Indicate your answers exactly the way the directions state. Make sure your answers are clear. Determine what the scoring rules for the test are and follow them to your advantage. For example, if wrong answers are penalized, don’t guess unless you can reduce the choices to two.

Answering Easy Questions First

Answering easy (to you) questions first is the best strategy. If you stumble over difficult questions for too long a time, you may not be able to complete the exam.

Picking out Key Words

Objective examination questions usually contain one or more key words. A key word or group of words are those on which the truth or falsity of a statement hinges. Learn to spot the key words in the statement that define the meaning. If a statement contains two clauses, one of which is false, the whole statement is false. Usually, two-statement true-false questions are either both true or both false.

Reading Multiple-Choice Questions

Multiple choice questions are essentially true-false questions arranged in groups. Usually, only one alternative is correct. Your job is to pick the alternative that is more nearly true than the others. Read multiple-choice questions the same way as for true-false. Eliminate obvious false choices.

Reading Other Types of Questions

The methods used to answer true-false and multiple choice questions apply to matching questions as well. Always scan the entire list of alternatives before matching any. As in the other types of questions, try to identify key words in each list and test them. Completion questions require you to provide a word or phrase. When you encounter completion questions, choose your words carefully. If you don’t know the answer, give it your best guess, as often times such responses get at least partial credit.

Essay Examinations

Planning your time in answering essay questions is more important than in objective type tests. The general rule is not to get carried away on one or two questions to the extent that you cannot answer that other questions in the time allowed. Read through the entire examination first. Get a feel for the questions you are expected to answer. If the exam allows you to choose from a number of questions, be sure to number your answers exactly to match the questions.

When you follow directions for an essay exam, pay attention to the key words the instructor has included. Such words as “list,” “describe,” “compare and contrast,” and “outline” have special meaning. Don’t “write around” the question but answer it directly. If a question asks you to list something, don’t write a narrative about it. Answering essay questions directly is always the best policy.

After scanning the list of questions to be answered, choose the ones you know most about. A good idea is to prepare an outline of your answers. The outline will help you remember important ideas and facts to be included in your response. Another technique is to do a “memory-dump.” This technique is discussed in the last section of this guide, “Power Study Tips.”

Good handwriting is an absolute essential. If your cursive writing is very hard to read, try printing instead. Most instructors value clear handwriting. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling also count. Well-written grammatically correct answers almost always receive higher grades than poorly written grammatically incorrect answers, even though the answers themselves are the same.

Writing Themes and Reports

Reviewing the Topic

Students usually have some freedom to choose the subject of themes or reports. When you make this choice, be sure that the topic is acceptable to the teacher, and is as interesting to you as possible. Another consideration is that of availability of resource material. Your task is made much easier when there is a good amount of reference and resource material available.

Using Correct Punctuation and Grammar

As in writing essays questions, good grammar and punctuation are a must. Most students use word processors to write papers. Be sure to use the spell checker that almost all word processors have built in. Many word processors also have some sort of grammar checker. Learn to use a grammar checker, as it can point out serious flaws in your writing and help you become a better writer. Most grammar checkers explain the grammar rules that apply to the suggested corrections to your writing.

Gathering Materials Before You Write

Before you begin writing, assemble the materials you will need. Use index cards, notes, bibliographies, summaries, reports and reviews as part of your preparation process. Using index cards for references is an excellent way to organize your materials. Computer database programs can also help you classify and organize reference materials.

Preparing an Outline and Writing the Paper

Once you have your topic, have gathered and organized your materials, it is time to outline your paper. Put your outline on paper! Don’t make the mistake of trying to keep everything in your head. Make your outline in the form of main headings or ideas with sub-headings fleshing out the flow of the paper. Using the outline as a guide begin writing begin by asking yourself what the paper is going to say and what conclusions you want to reach. Doing this ahead of time will help keep you focused and prevent you from straying from the purpose of the paper. Making up the outline as you go along almost always results in a less than satisfactory product. Writing is important in high school and is a key to success in college and in many professions. Become a good writer by writing, revising, and reviewing your work. Don’t be afraid to ask other students to critique your work. Try to write in your own natural style, be aware that most good writers go through many revisions, and be prepared to do the same. Writing and test-taking are the end results of developing good study skills. There is no magic formula for success. If you follow the suggestions in this guide, apply them and think about them, you’ll have taken a giant step toward becoming a successful student.

Power Studying Tips for College Students

The following tips have proven to be extremely powerful guides for organizing, thinking, studying, and learning in college. They represent the best advice of successful college students. The can also work for high school students.

Study Space

Tip: Your study space should be as quiet and comfortable as possible. Avoid studying in noisy places such as cafeterias, recreation rooms, or lounges.

Tip: When studying, keep a waste basket handy.

Tip: Have a consistent place for everything, and above all, keep it there!

Tip: Have everything needed for study handy beforehand. Don’t waste valuable time looking for books, notes, of other information. After you have assembled the items you need, put them where you can reach them easily.

Study Habits

Tip: Begin study no less than 30-90 minutes after a meal.

Tip: Never study within 30 minutes of going to sleep.

Tip: Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study, prioritize the list, and stick to it!

Tip: If possible, study no more than 30-40 minutes at a stretch. Many students retain more by studying for short periods with breaks in between. It all depends on what you’re trying to study, but generally, after a period of study, take a break.

Tip: Take study breaks away from your desk or wherever you are studying. Let the break be a time to think about other things. Use some break time to reflect, not constantly review what you have just studied.

The Classroom

Tip: Distractions in the classroom are deadly. To help avoid distractions, sit near the front of the class. You’re less likely to miss something important, and there are far less distractions at the front than any other location.

Tip: Think! Thinking is one of the most important things you can do in class. If you just sit there passively, and not think, class can be deadly. Think about what the teacher is saying BEFORE writing down anything. Writing down each word is a WASTE OF TIME. Reorganize in your mind what the teacher says, and then write it down. This way you will be connecting the teacher’s words with HOW you think. If you do this, your notes will make a lot more sense later on.

Tip: Pay attention to the course outline or syllabus. Generally, important points and materials are referenced here and repeated. Don’t be afraid to ask the teacher if there is something you don’t understand. Most teachers will be glad to clarify for you.

Preparing for Class

Tip: Efficient students do not underline! Underlining is not a productive way to emphasize textbook material. It’s best to use a highlighter.

Tip: Read the table of contents of your texts carefully. If the textbooks have chapter summaries, read them first! If you don’t understand the material from the summaries, go back and highlight. Take notes on what you have highlighted and review your notes. Tip: Break study material into short segments of length dependent on its difficulty. Remember, concise notes are more powerful than copious notes. Think about the material! Then take notes on what you don’t know or are not sure of.

Test Taking

Tip: For essay examinations, try the “memory dump” technique. If permitted, write down everything you’ve memorized - facts, names, dates, ideas, events, and so on BEFORE you do anything else. Sometimes reading through the essay questions can distract you from what you’ve studied. The “memory dump” technique requires that you write down everything possible BEFORE you begin writing essay answers. This way, you are less likely to forget something important.

A Final Word

The study skills presented here depend on one thing, and that is your willingness to WANT to improve and do well in school. If you really don’t want to make the effort and sacrifice, no amount of suggestions, ideas, or outlines can help much. You are the one who is responsible for your education, and effective study skills can help you. To that end, one last word of advice — work smart, not hard.

Dr. Bob Kizlik