The topic of the ‘how’ and ‘when’ of revision will be dealt with, in detail, in the DyslexiaCatalyst Study Skills Manual. It is an art that needs to be perfected for those who don’t learn by ‘osmosis’ (which only the lucky few do!)
When?
Revision should be embedded in your teaching and homework (for each topic)
- So yes, Revision Starts Now!
- The information should be reviewed throughout the year.
- Topic overviews can be made in the half terms and holidays.
- The revision period should only be used to re-teach the information.
How?
- The art of effective note-making should be mastered.
- The students’ learning styles should be considered.
- All forms of note-making should be tried out (computer, index cards, summaries, drawings, diagrams, songs, rhymes, mind-maps, time lines, flip charts etc) See which ones are most effective.
- Sometimes different revising techniques for different subjects can be helpful (you don’t want all subjects on mind maps for instance).
- The notes need to be creative and memorable.
IT software
- Consider what IT software can help:
- Smart Art in WORD,
- Inspiration (mind mapping)
- Powerpoint
- Dragon (voice recognition) and recorders
- Read and Write (for text to speech)
- Audio Notetaker (for A Level and University Students)