Strategies for Learning – From Surface to Deep
Well known researchers, John Hattie and Greg Donoghue, recently published a paper that focused on surface, deep and transfer learning. They defined surface learning as occurring when students are initially exposed to concepts, skills and strategies. It is critical because it provides a foundation on which to build as students are asked to think more deeply. Deep learning occurs when students consolidate their understanding and apply surface learning knowledge to support deeper conceptual understanding. Transfer learning occurs when students take their consolidated knowledge and skills and apply them to new scenarios and different contexts.
At both the surface and deep levels, two processes must occur for students to develop transfer learning. These are acquisition and consolidation. Instructional strategies can support students to acquire and consolidate their learning. The following table includes these instructional strategies during surface learning.
| Surface Learning | |
| Acquisition
|
Note-taking
Annotations Summarizing Mnemonics Notebook reviews |
| Consolidation
|
Practice testing
Deliberate practice Spaced practice Rehearsal Help seeking Receiving feedback |
Next Newsletter: Instructional strategies that can support acquisition and consolidation during deep learning will be shared.
Study Skills Handbook
Following are aspects of a good home study environment:
- Quiet and private space
- Distraction free
- Ergonomic set up
- Regular breaks
- Good lighting
- Ventilation
- Clear workspace
- Storage space
- Noticeboard
Access the Study Skills Handbook and find out more about maximising a Home Study Environment. Following are the login details to access this module:
Link: www.studyskillshandbook.com.au
Username: edmundrice
Password: 13achieve
Problem of the Fortnight
Peter selects three different numbers from the set {-7, -5, -3, -1, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8} . He then finds the product of the three chosen numbers. What is the largest product Peter can make?
A Solution to The Last Problem:
The solution was Statement 3.
Words of the Fortnight
Students will be receiving a list of words each week in the Student Daily Notices. The list of words this week and the related rule are included in the table below. Ask you son(s) to spell these words and use them in a context. Can they think of other works where the rule applies?
| Rule: I before the E except after C
believe friend thief ceiling deceit receive
|
There are exceptions :
counterfeit either forfeit neither neighbour rein sleigh |
Gerry Sozio
Director of Learning and Teaching