T.A.R.T For Two!

For this weeks tech assignment, we were able to choose between two techniques, T.A.R.T and Charlie Read SmarT. I choose to work with T.A.R.Tin my Philosophy 107 and MAT 285. T.A.R.T stands for Terms, Attend (the lecture), Read, and Test. This strategy was ideal for both my classes because the information is lecture based and it is good for visual and kinesthetic learners, which I am. This is good because it allowed me to get familiar with the terms and definitions before class and then pay more attention during the lecture. It further forced me to study by reviewing my notes and terms after class and anticipating test questions.

The first class I used this technique in was MAT 285. I have a large exam coming up on Thursday and my next class will be a review session. In order to prepare, I took three topics that were causing me trouble. In the terms category, I put the formula and definition for product rule, quotient rule, and chain rule. By filling in that category before class, I knew what I would need to focus on during the lecture. My materials for this class are my lecture notes and textbook, but I solely use my class notes. This is because I am a visual learning and by seeing examples of how to complete a problem is better than reading a paragraph in the textbook stating "how" to do it. By completing this action of organizing the terms I have trouble with, I will be able to get the most of out the review because I am focusing of three specific topics.

(T.A.R.T for MAT 285 shown above)

As one can see I was able to organize the three formulas I found most difficult before my

MAT 285 review. I was able to sit in the lecture and focus on those three topics and take more notes and complete more examples because I knew they were giving me trouble. This was also beneficial because I will be evaluated in short answers such as the test questions I anticipated. My T.A will give us problems and it is our job to figure out what strategy we need to use and to complete the question. That is another reason why this technique is good because it shows me what each formula looks like, how to associate a problem with it, and how to solve that problem. My evaluation of this technique is that it is very useful and easy to organize. Rather than spending time setting my notes up in a specific table, I am able to write down the information in a organized manner with clean examples.

The second class I used this technique for was my PHI 107 class with Professor Van Gluck. I just took my midterm in that class so I know exactly what to be looking for in the second half of the semester for my midterm. The midterm was based off of definitions and their meaning and concepts. As we start a new section, there are many definitions that make up the base of the unit. These new terms are very confusing and T.A.R.T allowed me to identify them before the lecture so I could pay close attention. My first action was to go to the text book and identify the new terms I would need to know. There were ten and all of which are very confusing and new. Once I had the definitions down, I reviewed them, went to the lecture and see how my professor used their definitions. After the lecture, I re-read the chapter and it seemed to make much more sense. Then I anticipated test questions. This was easy because after the midterm. I know the kinds of questions my professors conducts. He uses mostly compare and contrast and state the defination. Since I had the terms organized, I focused on making questions that asked to compare and contrast.

(T.A.R.T for Philosophy 107 shown above)

After I made these questions, I went back and reviewed the powerpoint from class. My main source of materials for that class are my professor's powerpoints. In each one, he has all the information from the readings, his lectures, and everything we will need to write a paper or for the final. This technique allowed me to get ahead because when he hands out the questions for the final, I will already have some of them and the definitions to answer the ones I do not know. As I said before, I am evaluated in this class by essays and the final, all writing based. By using T.A.R.T I have will have most of the information for each topic organized with questions answered. My evaluation of this technique is that it is extremely useful for philosophy. Philosophy is a term and concept based class so by using this strategy, I will be able to stay organized and efficient with my information. I also like how clean this looks, being a visual learner, it keeps me calm to know I am organized and it looks appealing.

Overall, this stratgy is very effective in both MAT 285 and PHI 107. It keeps my notes organized, forces me to study more than once, and allows me to become prepared for my lectures. For both classes, I will continue to make these for the rest of the semester because then for my final I will already have review sheets made. As I also stated earlier, these notes do not take too long to create and you do not need to waste time focusing on the set up. As long as you put all the necessary and vital information in, you will be able to succeed in your class using these notes. I cannot wait to try using this strategy in my other classes and see the outcome on my exams!