Effective Learning Strategies

Mindset; Goal Setting; Distributed Practice and Time Management; Effective Study

Whether learning online or in a physical classroom, there are techniques and habits that can help us become more effective learners. The following videos introduce some of the research about learning to help students develop more efficient study techniques.

Mindset

One important aspect of success is not a strategy, but involves your attitudes toward learning. The belief that anyone can succeed, which is called a growth mindset, is absolutely correct and provides a key foundation of any students’ success. You’ll learn why anyone can succeed and that you should adopt a Growth Mindset in college.

• Your Attitude Toward Learning (1:43 min)
• Growth Mindset (1:18 min)
• Anyone Can Learn (3:24 min)

Goal Setting

A common theme among the most successful people in all walks of life is that they set goals, but not any goals – setting the right kind is essential. Unfortunately, most people are not taught how to set effective goals and how to use them, so we describe how you can develop this essential skill for success in college and in your career.

• Setting Goals (5:53 min)
• How to Set Goals (5:17 min)

Distributed Practice and Time Management

Distributed practice is an incredibly effective learning strategy. You will need to set goals to use it and manage your time using a daily calendar. Time management skills will be valuable for your life-long success, and this section will help you begin developing and adapting this important skill for use in college.

• Learning Takes Time (3:16 min)
• Distributing Your Study (6:53 min)

Effective Study

Here are several learning strategies that you will be able to apply and profit from in many of your courses. Importantly, this section provides some focused instruction on how to get the most of these strategies.

• Self-Explanation (3:04 min)
• Successive Relearning (5:24 min)
• Studying with Flashcards (3:42 min)
• Worked Problems (2:35 min)

About the Author 

Dr. John Dunlosky is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychological Sciences, where he has taught since 2004, and is currently the Director of the Science of Learning Center at Kent State University. 

Since his post-doctoral training at Georgia Institute of Technology, he has explored people’s metacognitive capabilities towards understanding how to improve student learning and achievement. 

A major aim of his research program is to develop techniques to improve the effectiveness of people’s self-regulated learning across the lifespan. 

A fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, he received the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2010 from Kent State and is a founder of the International Association for Metacognition.  He co-authored Metacognition, which is the first textbook on the topic, and has edited several books on education, and metacognition.