Raise Kids’ Grades with Study Tips for the Digital Age

(StatePoint) It happened again this year: The kids are back in the classroom before you’ve had the chance to blink. Thankfully, new developments in education are making it easier than ever for students to hit the ground running.

These days, technology has the power to dramatically improve how kids digest, retain and apply information – if you know how to use it. Check out these great study tips that can help your student achieve the grades they strive for.

Quit Cramming
“All-nighters” are a relic of the “Saved by the Bell” era. Research now shows that students who cram the evening before a test or quiz are less likely to perform well the following day. Rest is critical for academic success.

Instead of packing learning into marathon sessions, students should maintain a regular study schedule leading up to their tests and should make sure to get plenty of shut-eye.

Create a Digital Tool-Kit
“Be prepared” is the simple motto of the Boy Scouts, and it applies to almost every facet of life. You wouldn’t try to build a tree-house without a hammer, saw and nails — you shouldn’t study with an empty tool kit either. These days, there are unique tech tools available that make the studying process more efficient, engaging and effective.

For example, McGraw-Hill Education’s LearnSmart provides an adaptive “digital tutor” that continuously assesses students’ knowledge and skills and provides personalized recommendations that help them master content over time. By helping students focus their study time more on learning what they don’t know and less on what they already know, LearnSmart can help turn C students into B students and B students into A students.

The company also offers SmartBook, a personalized digital textbook that adjusts on the fly and highlights important information based on each student’s current strengths and weaknesses. You can find more information on McGraw-Hill Education’s entire family of adaptive learning tools at www.mheducation.com/back-to-school.

Jump Around
Not physically, but figuratively. When prepping for a test, most students review course materials in chronological order. While this approach may seem logical, research suggests that studying out-of-order helps students retain standalone knowledge more effectively. This allows them to recall information in a randomized fashion (the way it appears on tests).

If your children apply themselves and use these tips to guide their studies, they’ll have a leg up in the beginning of the school year. Whether it’s McGraw-Hill Education’s digital learning products, an outside-the-box approach to test-prep, or just a good night’s sleep, a dynamic, modern approach to education can help your child thrive.

“This is the era of digital education,” said Jeff Livingston, senior vice president of McGraw-Hill Education. “We must continue to develop adaptive technologies that streamline the learning process and increase the potential of students everywhere.”

If your student has struggled in the past, or if you think he or she isn’t reaching his or her true potential, try some new techniques to help make this school year the best one yet.