You’re in class, struggling to understand a topic. You jot down notes frantically, but when you study later, you’re overwhelmed and confused. Sound familiar? The “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” table can help you take control of your notes and improve your understanding.

Why This Strategy Works

The “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” table is a powerful active learning strategy. Unlike passive learning, where you merely listen or read, active learning engages you with the material, helping you retain information better. By organizing information into these six categories, you actively think about and process the material.

Breaking Down Each Category

  • Who: Identify the key figures or characters. This could include authors, historical figures, scientists, or characters in a novel.
  • What: Note the main events, points, or concepts. This helps clarify the core ideas.
  • When: Record the timeline or specific times when events occurred. Understanding the chronology can provide context.
  • Where: Specify the locations of events or where information was published. This helps ground the information in a specific setting.
  • Why: Understand the reasons behind events or arguments. Knowing the motives or causes can deepen your comprehension.
  • How: Explain how events happened or how concepts work. This is crucial for understanding processes and mechanisms.

Applying the Strategy in Different Subjects

History Example: The American Revolution

  • Who: Key figures like George Washington and King George III.
  • What: Major battles and events.
  • When: Timeline of the war.
  • Where: Locations of significant battles.
  • Why: Reasons for the war.
  • How: Tactics used by both sides.

Using this table, you can break down the complexities of historical events, making them easier to understand and remember. For further refinement, consider creating a one-page summary of the American Revolution.

Science Example: Photosynthesis

  • Who: Scientists who discovered the process.
  • What: Molecules involved (e.g., chlorophyll, carbon dioxide).
  • When: Times of day when photosynthesis occurs.
  • Where: Locations in the plant (e.g., chloroplasts).
  • Why: Purpose of photosynthesis (e.g., converting light energy into chemical energy).
  • How: Steps of the process (e.g., light-dependent reactions and Calvin cycle).

This table helps in breaking down complex scientific processes into manageable and understandable parts. Pair this with turning text into diagrams for a visual representation of the process.

Literature Example: “To Kill a Mockingbird” – Character Study of Atticus Finch

  • Who: Details about Atticus’s life and personality.
  • What: His actions and beliefs.
  • When: Timeline of the novel.
  • Where: Locations he appears in the novel.
  • Why: His motivations for his actions.
  • How: His role in the novel.

Using this method, you can gain deeper insights into characters and themes, enhancing your understanding and analysis of literature. To deepen your comprehension, you might also try teaching someone else about Atticus Finch’s character.

Benefits of Active Learning

Active learning strategies like the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” table have been shown to improve student performance significantly. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Chemical Education found that students who used active learning techniques performed better on exams than those who did not.

Implementing the Strategy

Incorporating this method into your study routine is straightforward:

  • Active Engagement: Actively engage with the material instead of passively reading your notes.
  • Spaced Practice: Review and recall information at spaced intervals to enhance retention. This works well with spaced repetition techniques.

Tips for Effective Implementation

  • Set Up Your Space: Find a quiet, distraction-free area to study.
  • Break Down Information: Divide your study material into manageable chunks.
  • Organize Your Notes: Use the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” table to organize your notes.
  • Review Regularly: Schedule regular review sessions to reinforce your memory.

Conclusion

The “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” table is a versatile and effective note-taking strategy that can help you understand and remember information across all subjects. By actively engaging with the material and organizing it into specific categories, you’re more likely to retain the information long-term. Next time you’re in class or studying, give this strategy a try and see how it works for you.

Action Steps

  1. Choose a Subject: Pick a topic you’re currently studying.
  2. Create Your Table: Organize your notes using the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” format.
  3. Review and Refine: Regularly review and update your table as you learn more.

By incorporating this strategy into your study routine, you can enhance your understanding, retention, and overall academic performance. Give it a try and transform your note-taking and study habits.

For more study strategies, check out other posts in our series:

  • Cue Card (Lichter System)
  • Blank Page Recall
  • Turn Text into Diagrams
  • Spaced Repetition
  • One Page Summary
  • Teach Someone Else
  • Exam Questions
  • Create a Bound Reference
  • Practice Exams

Post by Study Coach – Megan Ross

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