Researchers in Psychology who have studied what actually sticks in long term memory have discovered something that Francis Robinson figured out in 1946-students who read need to immediately connect the material to what they already know as well as thoughts that can take that learning even further. Robinson developed the SQ3R technique—survey, question, read, recite, review. When students read passages from books over and over, it gives them a false sense of security, but it doesn’t necessarily further their learning or store effectively in long term memory. Active-recall is the key to reading, remembering and storing learning for the long term. These techniques need to be taught to students long before they reach college and beginning as early as fifth grade.

ARTICLE:

That old study method still works, researchers say. So why don’t professors preach it?
By DAVID GLENN
May 1, 2009

The scene: A rigorous intro-level survey course in biology, history, or economics. You’re the instructor, and students are crowding the lectern, pleading for study advice for the midterm.

If you’re like many professors, you’ll tell them something like this: Read carefully. Write down unfamiliar terms and look up their meanings. Make an outline. Reread each chapter.

That’s not terrible advice. But some scientists would say that you’ve left out the most important step: Put the book aside and hide your notes. Then recall everything you can. Write it down, or, if you’re uninhibited, say it out loud.

Two psychology journals have recently published papers showing that this strategy works, the latest findings from a decades-old body of research. When students study on their own, “active recall” — recitation, for instance, or flashcards and other self-quizzing — is the most effective way to inscribe something in long-term memory.

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CAROL’S SUMMARY: California, Texas and North Carolina top the nation for increase in jobless and unemployment rates. California leads the nation at 11.8%, a number which hasn’t been that high since 1976, according to the Wall Street Journal article below. In this economic climate, creativity and resourcefulness will allow people to get new experiences and job exposure. Here’s how:

1) Intern. If you are a student or even if you aren’t, get a foot in the door with a company or an industry representing where you would like to work. Once in the door, you can show your abilities, your initiative, your interpersonal skills and your problem-solving prowess.

2) Volunteer. Important business skills can be built through leadership in a service organization or a volunteer capacity. Run an event, lead a meeting or take on a specific role like that of President or Treasurer. These skills are absolutely transfer to the job market, especially if they come with letters of recommendations about your contributions.

3) Network. Reach out to neighbors, friends and past associates. Go for coffee or ask the favor of a phone conversation to determine if they know of people or opportunities which would be a good fit for your skills and abilities.

4) Keep the faith and keep busy. Get out of your house and get unstuck from your own thoughts. If you treat your unemployment as though you were already employed—with the same ethic, drive and ambition—you will create opportunities for yourself and inspire others with your strong will and spirit.

ARTICLE:

By STU WOO and SUDEEP REDDY
April 18, 2009

California and North Carolina in March posted their highest jobless rates in at least three decades, as unemployment increased in all but a handful of states during the month, the Labor Department said Friday.

California’s unemployment rate jumped to 11.2% in March, while North Carolina rose to 10.8%, the highest for both since the U.S. government began a comprehensive tally of state joblessness in 1976.

The state-by-state employment figures showed only a few states avoiding the deterioration seen nationwide. Unemployment rose in 46 states during the month, and 12 states plus the District of Columbia posted unemployment rates in March that were significantly higher than the 8.5% nationwide figure the government released earlier this month.

Visit www.wsj.com to view the entire article

CAROL’S SUMMARY: While some have accused Barack Obama of continuing Bush’s education program, others see his vision and Arnie Duncan’s, the Secretary of Education, as bold and driven by accountability, as the article below indicates. While short on specifics, the administration is enlisting the support of governors across the country to drive this initiative, linking their expectations of stronger student performance to stimulus funding. The goal is to get students ready for college, without the need for remedial classes once they get there. Currently, the U.S. has 1.5 million college students remediated for English and 2.5 remediated for math. Governors, schools, parents and principals have their work cut out for them.

ARTICLE:

By SAM DILLON
Published: April 14, 2009

WASHINGTON — President Obama and his team have alternated praise for the goals of President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind law with criticism of its weaknesses, all the while keeping their own plans for the law a bit of a mystery.

But clues are now emerging, and they suggest that the Obama administration will use a Congressional rewriting of the federal law later this year to toughen requirements on topics like teacher quality and academic standards and to intensify its focus on helping failing schools. The law’s testing requirements may evolve but will certainly not disappear. And the federal role in education policy, once a state and local matter, is likely to grow.

The administration appears to be preparing important fixes to what many see as some of the law’s most serious defects. But its emerging plans are a disappointment to some critics of the No Child Left Behind law, who hoped Mr. Obama’s campaign promises of change would mean a sharper break with the Bush-era law.

Visit www.nytimes.com to view the entire article

Many professionals who desire to make a career change may view this as an all or nothing proposition, but as the article below states, there are incremental steps anyone can take to move closer to their dream job. If you’re considering a new career field, here are a few questions to ask yourself to get yourself ready for a successful transition:

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