May 4
Learning Scientist: Applied 3
When reading the description for learning scientist and seeing the words “Start by writing a 2 page reflection on your current study techniques and success (or failure),” I instantly thought, I do not have any. I always believed that I have never been a “studier” and that I just figure it out along the way. However, through this class I was able to realize, that is not the case. I do have study habits and techniques that I was unaware are study techniques.
To start off, one reason I believed I did not really have study techniques is because I never thought I needed them. Growing up, my younger siblings both had learning disabilities. This meant that when it came to school my parents mainly had to help them with their homework, tests, and projects and I more so had to figure my stuff out on my own. This was not meant in any way to hurt me or make it so I would not do well, rather I was more capable of going in my room alone and doing the tasks I needed to that my siblings would be if my parents’ roles were reversed. This created the idea in me that I do not have study techniques I rather just get things done to the best of my ability and for the most part I was a well-rounded student.
As mentioned previously though, the cognitive psychology class has taught me that my “just get things done” is done through the use of different techniques that we have discussed. This goes into the topic of individuality, especially when it comes to types of studying. There are thousands of different ways to study and thousands of methods to go about the different ways of studying. For example, some students are able to understand material just by looking at it once or twice and other students need to spend hours upon hours in order to understand the same material. I fall somewhere in the middle in that if I understand the basis of things, I am able to look over it once or twice and be able to understand it. However, if I know nothing about the material it takes me a lot of time to be able to master the material. This goes along very well with my major of Kinesiology (for Physical Therapy). Within the major we have to memorize a lot of information, but for the most part the information builds on itself and allows easier material to be learned first and then expanded on.
This class made me really think about what types of techniques I am using when I study like this as well as try new techniques that have been shown to help the type of learning I am best at. One of the first techniques I used and continue to use is elaboration learning. This went along well with the current study techniques I had, so it was very easy to integrate into my studying. The other technique I used was visual-spatial learning. This is a technique widely used by individuals within my profession and also became very useful for me as well.
As mentioned previously, the first technique I used to improve my studying was elaboration learning. This technique went along with my preference of learning basic aspects of a larger topic and then going further and further into the topic. Elaboration learning is just that, learning the material from a general to specific order (Priawasana, Degeng, Utaya, & Kuswandi, 2020). For me this worked really well specifically in my human anatomy class. For the week, I was attempting this technique while we were learning about the kidneys. I started with learning the general shape and function of the kidney. I then went into more of the internal structure of the kidney. Finally, ending with the internal structure of how the blood is actual filtered in the internal structures. I felt like I was able to gain a full perspective of the anatomy and physiology more so than if I jumped into memorizing it all. This was also the case in a study conducted by Benjamin Rottman and Frank Keil. They found that this technique helps with methodical procedures, very common with the health care field, and understanding structures of materials (Rottman & Keil, 2011). Overall, this technique is one I will continue to use as I will continue to have to study anatomy structures and their functions. This technique helped me see the topics as a whole in the end and gave me a better opportunity to help in my future career.
For the next technique, I used the same class to test the productivity of the visual-spatial learning technique. This is a technique that specifically ties into the healthcare field in that it helps with understanding anatomy in a three-dimensional field (Bradt & Davies, 2006). This technique is using imagery and models to demonstrate the topics at hand. It is mainly a technique used by visual learner (Silverman, 2002). For this technique, I used the app and website Anatomy 3D Atlas. This is an app that shows a structure and allows the user to rotate the structure any which way to get a visual from all angles. This was an incredibly useful tool for the topic we were discussing in class, the heart. This organ is a very complex organ and being able to see it from all different angles allowed me to understand the valves and attaching structures easier. It was easier because with the class we also do dissections and real organs do not look exactly like pictures. The 3D atlas gave me an all-around image that allowed me to take the spatial context I learned and apply it to the dissection. For example, the superior and inferior vena cava became easier to pin-point. On a 2D image, the structure looks like it comes out the top and the bottom of the heart. However, that is not the case. It actually, attaches to the back of the heart and extend above and below. This was made clear by the 3D spatial image and allowed me to correctly identify the structure on a real heart. Overall, I continue to use the app for other structures like the kidneys (mentioned above), the lungs, the brain, and so many more.
Overall, the two techniques above have increased my understanding of the material I will use in my professional career. The material is also very advanced and these techniques made it seem more manageable. This is huge for me as when I get overwhelmed with material I tend to shut down and give up. The above techniques I would highly recommend for individuals that have to study structures as a whole as well as the complexity of the internals of the sturctures. The techniques break down the material in sections, while still giving the full picture of the subjects. These techniques will also be beneficial for individuals studying things like engineering, architecture, and so many more. I continue to use these techniques in my current class, and plan to bring the knowledge with me into graduate school and beyond.
Brandt, M. G., & Davies, E. T. (2006). Visual-spatial ability, learning modality and surgical knot tying. Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie, 49(6), 412–416.
Priawasana, E., Degeng, I. N., Utaya, S., & Kuswandi, D. (2020). An experimental analysis on the impact of elaboration learning on learning achievement and Critical Thinking. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(7), 3274–3279. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.080757
Rottman, B. M., & Keil, F. C. (2011). What matters in scientific explanations: effects of elaboration and content. Cognition, 121(3), 324–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2011.08.009
Silverman, L. K. (2002). Upside-down brilliance: The visual-spatial learner. Denver, CO: DeLeon Publishing.
