Glossary

Alternative arrangements for assessments (AAAs)

Alternative arrangements for assessments allow students who have a disability or long-term medical condition to be examined on an equal footing with their fellow students. See the Resource Guide for People who have a Disability or Long Term Medical Condition - Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) for more information.

Anchoring information

You can 'anchor' your learning, by connecting and holding information - like a boat anchor helps keep a boat in position and stabilises it. Check the page on Anchoring for more.

Anchoring helps you to code information from short term memory into long term memory based on using as many senses as you can. Connect the information to something that is relevant to you and your processing preferences - visual, auditory or kinaesthetic - by using a memory anchor to help you link and shape information. The examples below will help you develop a range of memory 'anchors' or place holders.

When you create your memory anchor, try to use your different sense according to your learning style preferences. Visual, auditory, kinaesthetic or multiple sensory anchors can help you remember better.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology includes software, hardware and devices designed to assist an existing tool or function to modify or adapt its use. If used to suit your learning styles, you can use these technologies to support your learning.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a way to generate as many ideas as possible about your topic within the scope of your question or topic focus.

It's a way to find out about:

1. . what you already know
2. . what you might want to know
3. . what other areas to explore and investigate
4. . and to link these ideas and make connections with the aim towards structuring your points later to suit your task.

There are many ways to brainstorm. One useful strategy is to use the wh-question technique to generate possibilities or ideas, by writing down your key words. You can ask yourself these wh-questions about your topic: what, where, when, why, how, who, which, to what extent to help you get started.

You can also simply use the rapid thinking technique, where you list any ideas you have surrounding your topic.

There are a variety of ways you can capture your ideas.

1. . You can use a linear approach.
2. . You can map your ideas diagrammatically and structure and order them afterwards.
3. . You can use paper and pen and coloured pens if you wish
4. . You can try specialised brainstorming software such as Inspiration or Cmap (which is free) to help you generate and order your ideas.

To see some vibrant examples of mindmaps, visit the Tony Buzzan Mindmap gallery .

For more examples, see Inspiration mindmap examples .

Lateral thinking

Lateral thinking means being able to look at issues from other angles and fresh perspectives beyond logical structured thinking. It can foster new ways of seeing something or linking ideas.

Find out more about 'Lateral Thinking ' on the Edward de Bono site .

Learning styles

The notion of a learning style is a way of conceptualising how a person takes in, processes, understands and remembers information and stimuli. There are various learning style models and theories in the literature. Learning style preferences can provide insights into one's way of thinking, learning and doing.

LD

See Learning disabilities.

Learning disabilities

Check the Australian Learning Disabilities Association (ALDA) for a definition of LD (Learning Disabilities) based on the Learning Disabilities of Ontario. The emphasis is on valuing different and diverse ways to learn.

For further details on LD, you can visit the Opening All Options Australian resource.

For further international definitions and resources on LD, visit the International Links section of the Australian Learning Disabilities Association (ALDA) .

Mnemonics

'Mnemonics' are memory tools. You can use a range of techniques to help you remember, including rhyme, songs and acronyms. Visit this site's pages on Mnemonics and Number and rhyme techniques .

You can use combined mnemonics that utilise sound, words and symbols. The keys to good mnemonics according to Mind Tools are imagination, association and location.

Copyright © 2003 Monash University ABN 12 377 614 012 - Caution - Privacy - CRICOS Provider Number: 00008C
Last updated: 02 April 2009 - Maintained by lsweb@lib.monash.edu.au - Accessibility information