Effective Study Strategies for Students
Collected below are resources that provide an overview of results from cognitive science about how to maximize learning. This resources list was put together by a GVSU Metacognitive Strategies Work Group, in 2018-2019.
Faculty Resources
The Learning Scientists—Website that offers summaries and discussion of recent findings in the cognitive psychology. Ideal for those that don’t have time to keep track of another body of research literature.
Retrieval Practice—Website that collects resources about science of learning.
Podcast about evidence-based learning (from LearningScientists.org)
Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L., III, & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Agarwal, P. & Bain, P. M. (2019). Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Ambrose, S. A., Bridges, M. W., DiPietro, M., Lovett, M. C., & Norman, M. K. (2010). How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Metacognition—Resources for having students think about their study skills
The Psychology department has compiled an excellent set of resources to help faculty make use of the most recent research on metacognition. This includes the Chew videos mentioned in the session. Visit this Resource Page.
Saundra McGuire's books offer very good advice for faculty and students on improving students' metacognitive skills
- GVSU library copy of Teach Students How to Learn
- Interview with Saundra McGuire
- Stylus press online material for Teach Students How to Learn
Student Directed Resources
Research Summaries that are suitable for students
- What Works and What Doesn't in Scientific American
- Optimizing Learning in College:Tips from Cognitive Psychology
Specific articles/blog posts that are suitable for sharing with students
- Reconsiders the original research about note-taking with laptops vs handwriting
- Does listening to music interfere with learning
- Some very relevant questions asked by students
- Re-reading Is Ineffective. Do This Instead
- Nine Secrets of Learning
Videos & Podcasts for Students
- YouTube playlist of videos about study Strategies
- How to Get the Most Out of Studying (Videos by Steven Chew)