To understand learning material, you can use cognitive learning strategies. This is a collection of effective ways of learning. A learning strategy consists of a combination of different techniques and cognitive skills with which a certain learning goal can be achieved. It is used for the independent study of study material. If a strategy is specifically aimed at achieving a particular learning goal, it is a learning strategy (Moniek Boekaerts & Simons, 1995). There are eight different cognitive learning strategies: ā¢ Analyzing: Thoroughly step-by-step focusing on specific details and factual information in the study material. ā¢ Structuring: Integrating information into an organized whole. This can be done, for example, through overviews, schemas, or summaries. ā¢ Selecting: Separating main and secondary matters and choosing which information to focus on the most. ā¢ Repeating: Repeating parts of the study material multiple times. ā¢ Relating: Making connections between the different parts of the study material. ā¢ Concretizing: Translating the study material into more concrete examples such as personal experiences and daily events. ā¢ Critical processing: Drawing one's own conclusions or checking if conclusions are correct based on facts and arguments. ā¢ Practicing application: Thinking of possible applications for the study material. In what situations does it occur? When? What is it related to?
Boekaerts, M. Simons, P. R. J. (1995). Leren en instructie psychologie van de student en het leerproces. Nijmegen, Nederland: Koninklijke van Gorkum B.V.