Learning & Teaching News

Exam Time is Upon Us Again

While they are a major source of stress for students (and teachers) exams are still an important part of the schooling process. It is still one of the fairest ways to moderate the results of a large cohort of students. This week, our Year 12 students will begin their exams and push through the constant switching between study and the real thing. Next week our Year 11’s will also begin the exam journey - giving them only one more week to prepare. Practising the preparation for exams is arguably even more important than practising the exams themselves. So below is a discussion of some effective ways to approach preparation for exams - perhaps best discussed between our students and their parents or guardians.

Deliberate Practice

Deliberate Practice is a simple process to support your revision. Start by spending time reviewing a topic/unit before quizzing/testing yourself with no notes and from your memory (this is vital for revision). Once you have finished, check your answers. This will support you in showing where your ‘knowledge gaps’ are and where focus needs to be in your future revision. Revision shouldn’t keep you in your comfort zone, you need to be thinking hard and identifying your own areas for development. Avoid simply revising topics you enjoy. A technique to support deliberate practice is the Pomodoro Technique.

Dual Coding

When reviewing something you have learnt, combining words and pictures can be powerful. Examples of this include creating a:

Ineffective Revision Strategies

With the above in mind, it is vitally important to think about strategies that students may employ that have a limited or no real benefit on learning or memory. These include:

• Simply writing out notes or copying from a textbook/exercise book.
• Reading and doing nothing with the information. Trying to focus on ‘too much information’ on a single page and cramming revision.
• Highlighting information for the sake of it.
• Not enough silent work or attention to a given task. Attempting to revise while multitasking and doing other things.
• Comfort zone revision of easy material that pupils have already mastered because it makes you ‘feel good’.

The importance of Habits and Routines

Within your revision, it is vitally important to establish a strong routine. Having goals is good for setting a direction. What do you want to achieve in this revision session?

In order to support the forming of good revision habits, there are a number of areas to consider:

• Start small and build up – reduce distractions where and when you revise and get your family to encourage the creation of a revision timetable and placing it somewhere visual in your house. Ensure someone else is knowledgeable of this timetable to enable accountability and aid support.
• Make it attractive – collaborative focused revision is beneficial (alongside attending interventions or revision sessions) but you could also ensure there is a ‘reward’ at the end of a revision session. If I complete this, I can do this.
• Make it satisfying – challenge yourself, track your own revision progress and ensure you stick to your revision timetable. Small steps build success and motivation. Use study checklists to support.
• Make it obvious – revise in one area, leave your materials out ready to support organisation and ensure you stick to routines. Ensure your environment is clear, uncluttered and comfortable.

Finally, best of luck to all our students with their exams over the next few weeks!

Bradley Scammell                                            David Hansen

Middle Years Curriculum Leader             Deputy Principal - Learning & Teaching

– Clyde North

VET Hospitality

In line with the VET Hospitality course requirements, students demonstrate their underpinning knowledge and skills through performance outcomes. On the 10th of October, 1st Year Hospitality students cooked and served breakfast to the staff at Clyde North Campus. The students did a wonderful job, especially having to start work at the crack of dawn. Welcome to hospitality life! Well done.