CS119 Unit 3 Seminar

Adrienne D-Steverson
Kaplan University
During this seminar, we will discuss the “Case of Eduardo."   One of
the connections important in this week’s reading material is the
connection between the ability to plan and prepare and good
problem-solving abilities.   For example, if you have taken good
notes, and then take the time to study and review them thoroughly,
you will have a much better chance of succeeding on the exam and
solving any problems you may encounter while taking the exam.
 Unit 3 Reminders:

• Late Work Policy

• Discussion Board Requirements

• Communication with Instructor

 Unit 3 Assignments:

• Read
• Discussion Board Question
• Seminar Option 1 or 2
 Unit 3 Case Study:
To remind you of Eduardo’s situation:

In high school, Eduardo did not like taking tests, and he often waited
until the last minute to study, studying with friends in a late-night cram
session, if at all.   He never seemed to do well on the exam, regardless of
whether the cram session seemed effective or not.   During the exam, he
usually became so nervous that he could not remember the material, and
this affected not only his performance on the exam, but also his grade.

He is now taking an online college course requiring him to complete two

exams. For the first exam, he did the same thing he did in high school –
crammed the night before became nervous during the exam, and failed.  
For the second exam, he refused to let this happen again and realized
that he needed to utilize more effective test preparation strategies.
 Unit 3 Case Study:
o Eduardo often became stressed and anxious during his exams.
How is test preparation directly related to stress/anxiety levels
before, or during, an exam?
oWhat is self-efficacy?

o What are some ways that students can be proactive?

o In this case study, Eduardo followed a similar pattern on his

first college test that he used in high school- cramming for
exams. Why might this cramming the night before cause a
problem when taking exams?

o How realistic is Eduardo’s story? Can you apply his situation to

your own life?

o Consider what effective test taking methods might work well in

this situation, and why did you choose these methods?
 Unit 3 Exam:
You may use your reading materials, notes, and other
resources to answer the questions on this exam as long as you
work independently.

You will only be able to enter your online Exam one time.

Click the "Save Answers" button often.

If you lose your Internet connection during your Exam, log
on again and try to access your Exam. If you are unable to
enter the Exam, contact your instructor.

You will always be able to see the time remaining in the

Exam at the top right of the page.

You will only have one hour to complete the exam.

 Unit 3 Extras:
Test-Taking Formats and Strategies

Multiple Choices
•Eliminate answers you know are wrong
•Don’t look for patterns
•Read all the answers before making a final choice
•Watch for “all of the above” and “none of the above.”

Matching
•First match up the ones you know for sure
•Check to see if there are the same number of statements as
answers, or if something might be left-over.

True-False
•Watch the exact wording: if any part of the statement is
false, then the entire statement is false. The opposite is not
necessarily true.
•Don’t look for patterns
•Watch these keywords:
•Every, never, and always
•Usually, sometimes, and generally
Fill-in-the-blank
•Re-read the sentence after filling it in to make
sure it makes sense
•Watch spelling
•Study vocabulary if you know there will be fill-
in-the-blank questions

Short Answer
•Check for multiple parts, such as “give a list and
describe,” so that you give complete answers.
•Proofread
•Be concise and precise

Essay Questions
•Plan and be observant of the time
•Organize with a topic sentence, then give
details, and summarize
•Give fact, not opinions (unless specifically
requested)
•Proofread for spelling, punctuation, and
grammar
 STUDYING LIKE A PRO
Read the material. Get to know the chapter titles, the table of
contents, and the glossary. This will give you a broad overview of
the topic prior to getting down to the specifics.

Find a study space where you will stay awake and alert. Beds and
comfortable chairs invite naps, not learning. Create an inviting place
with plenty of light and space to spread out your materials.

Learn the general information before tackling the details.

Stand up once in a while and read a small section of material aloud.

Hearing the information as well as seeing it, helps to commit it to
memory.

Use tricks to help you remember. Draw diagrams, create

associations, make up rhymes or invent silly sentences to help you
remember.

Tape record some of the information and listen to it in your car. Be

sure to use an interesting voice. You don’t want to bore yourself!
Teach the material to someone else. The dog might be
a willing volunteer if no one else can be persuaded to
listen.

Design flash cards. Carry them everywhere and use a

few spare minutes to test your knowledge.

Briefly review the material about an hour after first

learning the information. This helps commit it to long
term memory.

Divide large projects into small ones. Memorize just

the first part of a diagnosis one day and then add the
rest the next day.

Make what you are learning meaningful to you. This

knowledge will be useful someday if it is not already!

Divide your studying time into smaller time frames to

help the material transfer from short term to long term
memory. Frequent short study sessions are much more
effective than one long “all nighter”.
Mood: "M.U.R.D.E.R.” A Study System
Set a positive mood for yourself to study in.
Select the appropriate time, environment, and attitude
•Understand:
Mark any information you don't understand in a particular unit;
Keep a focus on one unit or a manageable group of exercises
•Recall:
After studying the unit, stop and put what you have learned into your own words
•Digest:
Go back to what you did not understand and reconsider the information;
Contact external expert sources (e.g., other books or an instructor) if you still cannot
understand it
•Expand:
In this step, ask three kinds of questions concerning the studied material:
•If I could speak to the author, what questions would I ask or what criticism would
I offer?
•How could I apply this material to what I am interested in?
•How could I make this information interesting and understandable to other
students?
•Review: Go over the material you've covered
Review what strategies helped you understand and/or retain information in the past and
apply these to your current studies

Adapted from Hayes, John R., The Complete Problem Solver, Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers, Hillsdale, NJ: 1989.  ISBN: 0805803092