- General features of the study guides
- Types of guides in the learning processes
- How to create a study guide in 5 steps
- Identify the topics to study
- Design your study guide
- Collect the notes and sources
- Check all the information
- References
A study guide is a learning strategy and a study method. Broadly speaking, it consists of organizing the essential information on a topic in a schematic way, so that its arrangement facilitates the study.
There are several types of study guides, which are adapted to particular needs. It can be used with much or little information, or for any area of knowledge.
study guide
It is simple to develop, and due to its flexibility it can be used at any level of learning, but its structured form makes it especially useful at the university level. Also popular is its ability to organize large volumes of information.
General features of the study guides
A study guide is a strategy for studying a specific subject or topic. Within it, techniques such as concept maps, diagrams, comparative tables or memorization techniques are used.
One of the most advantageous aspects of study guides is that the techniques used are varied. In other words, there is no discrimination towards any learning technique. This makes them adaptable to the learning processes of any individual.
Study guides are very personal strategies, therefore it is important that the user build them. There are institutions that structure their own study guides by areas of knowledge.
Types of guides in the learning processes
It is possible to make a guide on anything from a cooking recipe to instructions for building an engine. In the educational area, guides are not limited to study guides, but also have other functions.
Motivational guides are an example of this, and they are very useful for situations in which the student is not focused or shows interest in the student. In the educational area, learning guides are also common, prepared by the teacher and are generally used to guide classes.
Synthesis guides are tools used in the classroom. It consists of making a list of the concepts learned in the class session. In this way, two objectives are achieved; review the knowledge learned and start a more elaborate study guide.
How to create a study guide in 5 steps
There is no exact formula for making a study guide, but there are steps that must be followed to ensure its effectiveness.
Identify the topics to study
The study guides are based on planning, therefore it is necessary to prioritize the topics that are most difficult to study.
Design your study guide
When the study area is established, a guide should be designed according to the subject and the individual's way of learning.
For example, if you are going to study "World War II" you could:
-Make an outline of the main points: phases, countries, causes, consequences.
-Make a summary of each main point.
-Memorize data: dates, characters.
-Take mock exams.
-Plan when to study.
Collect the notes and sources
Find and organize information from class notes, teacher outlines, and recommended bibliographic sources. These will become the source of the information used in the guide.
Check all the information
To make the study guide it is necessary to study. Then all the collected information must be read and selected. Memorization techniques can be used to memorize.
References
- Study Guides. (2016) cliffsnotes.com
- Study guides and strategies. (2011) studygs.net
- The study guide as teaching material. (2011) illustrated.com
- How to make a study guide. (2017) ehowenespanol.com
- Guidelines for the preparation of study and work guides. (2012) funlam.edu.co
- How to make study guides. (2014) knowledgeweb.net