Ask any student what they did to study for a test or exam and they will say, "I looked over my ...." That simply does not support long term memory or internalization of content.
This short presentation demonstrates the use of various graphic organizers and study strategies which can help any student feel more prepared for a stressful exam.
This methodology is based on evidence based practices and strategies gleaned from years of offering academic support to older learners with learning challenges.
The student can use common technology and simple procedures to create memorable graphic organizers which can be saved from test to test and reviewed before a final exam. It has been used to support middle school, high school and college students. Many of these students had learning differences which made organizing, writing, spelling and remembering difficult.
The key is to reduce the verbiage, add a strong visual and organizational component and then practice. There is also a kinesthetic component in that the student is aware of the space and position on a page. The visual, the verbal and the tactile come together to support memory in a multisensory manner
This approach uses Microsoft Word or another word processing program, visual images, different fonts and colors and webbing tools such as Inspiration Software to create memorable organizers which support the acquisition of academic content.
Course Curriculum
Hi, I’m Marilyn Zecher
I have been working in the field of education for over 40 years. I have dedicated my later career to supporting older students in academic work, but my specialty has been helping students with dyslexia pursue higher level coursework.
I am a multisensory specialist and a Certified Academic Language Therapist. That means I have the equivalent of a Master's Degree in teaching literacy skills to students with disabilities. I do have two Bachelor's Degrees and a Masters' but my most fulfilling work has been with students who have language based language and related disabilities.
This presentation came out of my work supporting students with dyselxia as they worked their way through high school courses, AP courses and college curricula.
I hope it helps you add some new tools to your instructional toolbox.
What People Are Saying
The techniques you demonstrated have changed my own son's school year tremendously, for the better. He is severely dyslexic and while we've remediated the reading deficits quite substantially at this point (18th to 70th %ile using Wilson, and we are not quite finished), he has really severe EF deficits, in particular with memory and sequencing. Using your specific study techniques, he has moved from getting D's on geography tests to A's, and he actually seems to be retaining the material. It is like night and day.Use this area for description text.
Creating Graphic Organizers
Students can create their own graphic organizers for summarizing, test prep or oral presentations.
Learn Strategies for studying with minimal writing that yield big results
Help students learn how to manage study techniques that simplify content for memory. We use lots of study strategies gleaned from years of working with students who have learning challenges.