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Your insurance company has better rates on auto insurance and better customer service than any company you have ever found. However, they believe that informed drivers are good drivers and have just started giving tests about driving laws and practices to everyone who wants to renew their insurance policy with the company. How likely are you to use the following learning strategies in preparing for the test?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Starting the learning by looking at materials to determine what is most important to study
2. Making up your mind to study the testing information because you want to renew your policy
3. Asking your local insurance agent whether the company has prepared material to help people study for the test
4. Thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with the insurance company
5. Reminding yourself periodically that you do not want to have to change your insurance company
6. Checking out the correct practice with an expert if you disagree with answers suggested in study material
7. Stopping to ask yourself questions while studying to see if you are remembering specific information
8. Studying confidently for the test because you are sure you will pass if you do study
9. Developing visual images in your mind, such as picturing a page in the manual, to help you remember
10. Finding another person taking the test who can quiz you over the material
11. Making a list of the things you have trouble remembering in order to review them often before the test
12. Asking yourself whether there might be a better way of studying for the test
13. Thinking about past experiences you have had taking exams so you can avoid difficulties on this test
14. Deciding to stop studying when you feel you are prepared for the exam
15. Thinking through the difference between things you learn that may help you pass the test and those that may actually improve your driving
Funeral arrangements are being made for your best friend's father. You want to attend the funeral services. Because your friend is of a distinctively different culture, you are afraid you will not know how to act and thus will offend your friend's family. How likely are you to use the following strategies in learning what you need to know about this friend's customs related to death and burial?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Thinking about what might interfere with your attempts to learn about the customs of other people
2. Resolving to study about your friend's burial customs because you want to be of help
3. Calling those arranging the burial to see if they can offer some advice on appropriate cultural practices
4. Determining whether the funeral practices that you are familiar with are appropriate for your friend's culture
5. Recognizing that you will need to learn about these funeral customs to bring comfort to your friend
6. Checking the behavior you decide is appropriate with a person knowledgeable about your friend's culture
7. Reviewing your learning progress to see if your plans for learning are working
8. Feeling confident that you can learn enough in the next few days to understand your friend's burial customs
9. Thinking through what you will do at the funeral so you will not fall into old habits
10. Asking other friends whether they have had any experience with burial customs in this or other cultures
11. Jotting down any unfamiliar names or customs so you can refer to them when paying your respects
12. Thinking of other ways you can pay your respects to your friend's family
13. Recalling other things you know about the customs of your friend's family to see if what you are learning fits in
14. Revising your plan for learning if you feel you are not gaining insight into that culture's burial customs
15. Testing out in your mind different practices to see if they are appropriate
You have gotten a book on the history of the place where you live because you want to be able to tell friends and visitors interesting facts and stories about your town. How likely are you to use the following strategies to learn everything you want to learn and remember about the history of your area?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Thinking through what kind of stories or facts you want to learn
2. Setting aside a specific time when you are going to study local history
3. Checking the computerized catalogue at a library to see if there are other history books on the area
4. Looking for the complete story behind popular interpretations of local history
5. Stopping to think about how nice it will be to have such stories to tell friends and visitors
6. Checking to see if this book and author are trustworthy sources for information about your town
7. Comparing your understanding of how history generally develops with your local history to determine what you need to learn
8. Stopping to reassure yourself that you can find plenty of interesting facts about your town
9. Painting a mental picture of the area as a setting for the story you want to remember
10. Discussing your ideas with people who have lived a long time in the area to see if their insights are different from what you are learning
11. Jotting down notes about the major points you want to remember
12. Asking yourself whether you have stories that would be of interest to the various types of visitors you expect
13. Remembering what it might have been like to live in your area at the turn of the century to check if these stories have been glorified over time
14. Deciding when the information you have gathered is adequate for telling interesting stories
15. Accepting the author's account of many past events but continuing to look for information that may better explain interpretations given by the author
You have agreed to watch your friends' pet during their extended vacation. Your friends love their pet. The pet unexpectedly begins to act very strangely, and you do not know what to do. How likely are you to use the following strategies in finding out how to care for the pet?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Identifying what you need to know in this unexpected situation to care for the pet
2. Admitting to yourself that you need to begin immediately paying close attention to the pet's behavior
3. Beginning to form a list of resources you might use to check the pet's behavior
4. Questioning whether there are things other than illness that could be causing the pet's strange behavior
5. Reminding yourself of how hard it would be to tell your friends that something happened to their pet
6. Checking with several other people who should be knowledgeable about this type of pet to see if all give similar advice
7. Checking to see if what you are finding out is helping you understand the pet's behavior
8. Reflecting on your experience with other pets to reassure yourself that you can take control of this matter
9. Watching for patterns in the pet's behavior so you will remember exactly how the pet is acting
10. Discussing the pet's behavior with someone who has a similar type of pet
11. Writing down changes in the pet's behavior so you will be able to describe them to others
12. Checking whether the pet's behavior could be due to your friend's absence
13. Recalling similar experiences with other pets to figure out what to look for
14. Deciding if you have enough information to make a decision to begin to care for the pet
15. Testing one of the suggestions you have gotten to see if it changes the pet's strange behavior
Some of your fellow workers start talking about the new regulations that will affect everybody with your job or position. You hear that copies of the regulations are in a big manual in the library and in the court house. How likely are you to use the following learning strategies in finding out what the regulations are and what you need to do to keep your job?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Thinking through what is important to know about these new regulations in order to decide what needs to be learned
2. Setting aside an evening to visit the library to review the new regulations
3. Finding out if there is an 800 number where you can get answers to specific questions you have
4. Thinking through how the new regulations will actually change the way you do your job
5. Reminding yourself of the difficulties you may avoid by learning the new regulations
6. Deciding to look through the regulations themselves.
7. Comparing your understanding of the new regulations with commonly accepted practices on the job
8. Reminding yourself that you have always been able to keep up with new regulations for a job
9. Remembering the new regulations by organizing them according to the daily routine you follow at work
10. Checking with your supervisor and fellow workers to find out if they have similar ideas about the new regulations
11. Placing your list of key points in a convenient place so they will remind you of what you have to do
12. Thinking of various ways that you can use the new regulations to improve your job situation
13. Reflecting on past experiences at the courthouse or library so you can avoid wasting time
14. Asking yourself if there are any parts of the job regulations that still confuse you
15. Beginning to test some of the new procedures on the job to see if they are going to work for you
You have recently visited the doctor and discovered that your cholesterol level is well above a healthy level. You have been advised to regulate this condition through diet. You are now left with the task of learning about proper nutrition and of changing your eating habits. Your next checkup is in six weeks. How likely are you to use the following strategies in learning what you need to do in order to change your eating habits?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Making a plan that will help you learn enough about cholesterol and eating habits
2. Focussing on learning about good diet practices instead of just worrying
3. Getting a book that has recipes for a low cholesterol diet and information on cholesterol from your local book store
4. Checking for other ways of lowering your cholesterol besides changing your diet
5. Reminding yourself how nice it would be to reduce your cholesterol significantly by your next visit to the doctor
6. Setting up an appointment with a dietitian to help you make sense of all the information you have been receiving and hearing about
7. Checking to see if what you are learning is actually helping you solve your cholesterol problems
8. Reminding yourself you have been able to learn new health practices before
9. Organizing high cholesterol foods into certain categories to help remember what foods to avoid
10. Calling several friends who have had high cholesterol to discuss what lifestyle changes worked best for them
11. Placing a cholesterol information sheet on your refrigerator as a reminder to change your eating habits
12. Studying various eating habits so you can set priorities on which changes will have the most impact on lowering your cholesterol
13. Reflecting on previous experiences you have had with diets to know what techniques and attitudes work for you
14. Revising your learning method if you find you are becoming confused
15. Deciding to implement a specific low-cholesterol diet with the understanding that you will periodically check its effectiveness.
You buy a bicycle from a discount store at a very reasonable price, but when you get it home and unpack it, you discover that it is not assembled. Directions are included. Nobody is willing to put it together for a price you can afford, and the store will not take it back. You decide to try to put the bike together yourself. How likely are you to use the following strategies to learn how to put the bike together?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Reflecting on whether you learn best by trial and error, by following directions, or by having someone tell you how to do it
2. Resolving to learn how to put the bike together rather than worrying whether you can learn to do so
3. Looking at a bike that is already put together so you can have a model to examine as you work
4. Looking at all the parts of the bike to see if you will need to follow the directions closely
5. Reminding yourself of the money you are saving by putting the bike together
6. Phoning a mechanic or someone at the company that made the bike if the directions confuse you
7. Keeping the overall task in mind to prevent getting lost in details
8. Reassuring yourself occasionally that you can put the bike together
9. Remembering the tools you will need to get by mentally picturing the tasks to be done
10. Talking with a friend who has better mechanical skills than you for encouragement in putting the bike together
11. Sorting out the parts that fit together so you will not leave out any part
12. Imagining various ways the bike could be put together
13. Recalling similar experiences putting things together to remember what methods worked best for you
14. Taking a break if frustration interferes with figuring out how to put the bike together
15. Putting parts of the bike together to see if they work even if you are not sure you are doing it right
The dentist has told you that your gums are receding and that you are in danger of losing your teeth if you do not do a better job of taking care of your gums. You are not really happy about the program of care that the dentist suggested, but you realize that you need to do more to care for your gums. How likely are you to use the following learning strategies in learning what you need to know in order to care for your gums?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Dividing the learning project into learning about general dental care and learning about your particular type of gum disease
2. Setting aside time to learn enough about teeth and dental health to help you make decisions
3. Using the Yellow Pages of the phone book to identify those offering dental services
4. Questioning the appropriateness of suggested dental practices
5. Imagining problems you could have with your teeth to help motivate you to learn
6. Checking to see if some profit-making agency has prepared the resource material you are using to promote their products
7. Checking to see if what you are learning is actually helping you with your dental problem
8. Reassuring yourself that you can learn how to take better care of your gums
9. Organizing ideas on gum care around tasks to be done at different times of the day
10. Seeking support from others who have had the same problem
11. Putting all dental care products next to your toothbrush as a reminder of things to do
12. Finding alternative dental practices and learning about them
13. Thinking over other things you know about dental care to see if you can remember useful ideas
14. Revising your learning plans if you are not finding an acceptable way of caring for your gums
15. Selecting one dental-care practice that you will try for a few weeks to see if it leads to any improvement
Your best friend has been asked to help recruit leaders for a group that is going to investigate the recreation and park services in your community. You have volunteered to help study what good leaders are like and to recruit good leaders. How likely are you to use the following strategies in learning how to recruit leaders?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Asking yourself what specifically needs to be done in your community before identifying the most appropriate leaders
2. Reminding yourself to focus on learning about leadership rather than worrying about being able to talk people into volunteering
3. Calling the Chamber of Commerce in your town to see if they have a community leadership group or program from which you could get ideas
4. Reviewing your decisions to see if friendship for certain people has influenced the suggestions you have made
5. Thinking about how your efforts will help your community have good recreation facilities
6. Examining closely the qualifications of those suggested as leaders by interviewing several people who have worked with them
7. Reflecting back to see if you are sticking with your learning plan
8. Feeling confident you will be able to convince those you identify as good leaders to volunteer their services
9. Making up a word or phrase to remind yourself of the things you want to ask potential leaders
10. Talking with community leaders to test out your opinions on the qualities of a good leader
11. Using a notebook or note cards to keep track of ideas that you want to remember
12. Thinking of various possible ways of recruiting good leaders
13. Recalling similar experiences you have had in selecting leaders so you can remember what worked best
14. Asking yourself if there are any traits of good leaders about which you are still confused
15. Thinking through what could be done if those who are selected turn out to be poor leaders
A lot of people have been concerned about an issue affecting your neighborhood. Two of your neighbors want you to help them put together a letter to the editor of your local newspaper that would state your side of the case. You agree to help plan the letter, but you realize that you first must know more about this issue and about the attitude of others toward it. How likely are you to use the following learning strategies in learning about the issue and in preparing an effective letter to the editor?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Deciding what methods work best for you in analyzing issues
2. Focussing on learning about the issues rather than worrying if you can write an effective letter
3. Reading previous letters to the editor to clarify your position
4. Checking the arguments of those opposing your position to pick out inconsistencies in your ideas
5. Thinking of how the letter could improve the cooperative spirit within your neighborhood
6. Checking with someone outside the neighborhood who knows a lot about such issues
7. Reflecting back to see if you are sticking with your plan of learning
8. Confirming your belief that a statement of your position in a letter to the editor will bring about positive change on the issue
9. Forming a mental outline of the points you hear in discussions that you want to remember until you get a chance to write them down
10. Testing your ideas out on people whose opinions might differ from yours
11. Keeping a list of the points you want to get more information about before you write the letter
12. Thinking about numerous possible solutions that could be used to address this issue
13. Recalling things about people's letters that you found convincing
14. Getting some feedback on your ideas before you sent the letter to the newspaper
15. Thinking about what will happen if the letter is published by the editor
You have decided to visit a national park such as Yellowstone or Grand Canyon for a summer vacation. Because of the size of the park, the crowds of people, and the park's numerous attractions, you know that you will have to learn some things about the park before you go. How likely are you to use the following strategies to learn what you need to know in order to prepare for your trip?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Taking a few minutes to think about how you best locate the materials you will need to plan this trip
2. Setting aside a specific amount of time to collect and review resource materials about the park
3. Gathering some resources such as books, maps, and names of people who have been there
4. Thinking about where you want to stay in order to check if there are accommodations available
5. Thinking about how nice it will be to tell stories about your trip when you return home
6. Analyzing carefully the materials about the park that you have collected by talking to others who have been there
7. Checking periodically to see if there are other things you would like to learn about the park
8. Reassuring yourself that you have been able to plan other trips successfully
9. Forming a mental image of what would be nice to have in the car as you travel
10. Identifying some people who have been to the park to see if you can learn anything from their experience
11. Starting a list of all the important questions you have about the trip so you will remember to deal with them
12. Thinking about various things to do each day of your trip in case crowds or conditions make you change plans
13. Recalling similar experiences you have had in the out-of-doors to decide what extra supplies you will take along
14. Deciding to stop planning when you think you know enough about the park to have a good trip
15. Drawing up a tentative schedule of events for your trip while realizing that changes may need to be made once you get there
A close relative who has no one to rely on except you becomes seriously ill and can no longer be taken care of at home. You need to find out about the care facilities available, but you also realize you must try to calm the fears of your relative. How likely are you to use the following strategies in learning how to find a good place for your relative to live and in learning how to help that person adjust to a new living style?
Directions: Select the 5 strategies from the following list of 15 that you feel you would definitely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Definitely Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you might possibly use and place the number of these strategies in the Possibly Use box of the answer sheet. Select 5 other strategies that you would least likely use and place the number of these strategies on the lines in the Not Likely Use box of the answer sheet.
1. Taking time to decide just what you need to know in order to select a good care facility
2. Organizing your time so you can learn about alternatives and analyze the information
3. Calling the county courthouse to find out if there are any local agencies that provide help in locating services that help people adjust to living in a health-care facility
4. Finding out whether your idea of a good care facility matches that of the relative
5. Deciding that it is worth the time it will take to visit all the facilities
6. Asking yourself if the information you received from each of the care facilities is honest or if it is slanted just to draw customers
7. Thinking about how your concern for your relative might influence your learning
8. Feeling confident that you can find the best facility for your relative
9. Connecting the points you want to remember to a mental image of each care facility
10. Checking out your ideas of what a good health care facility is with people who have knowledge about these places
11. Using a list of important things to check at each care facility to gather complete information
12. Thinking about the various alternatives including the advantages of each facility
13. Recalling similar situations regarding care for the seriously ill that you have heard about from friends, professional contacts, the paper, or TV
14. Revising your plan for learning if you cannot find ways to calm your relative's fears
15. Selecting the most appropriate facility for your relative realizing you may later need to change your decision