SOAR is a systematic teaching and learning strategy developed to address commonly used inefficient learning strategies. It stands for Select, Organize, Associate, and Regulate. Here’s a brief explanation of each step:
Select: This step involves selecting all the main ideas, relevant details, and examples from a lecture or lesson through note-taking or reading text¹.
Organize: This step focuses on how we incorporate information into our long-term memory (storage). It usually involves using graphic organizers like charts and diagrams².
Associate: Many students study by learning one idea at a time. The associate step encourages students to link new ideas to one another and to previously acquired knowledge.
Regulate: Many students employ repetitive or redundant strategies to learn new ideas. The regulatory step usually involves practice testing to ensure that learning has occurred.
The SOAR method promotes a deeper understanding of information and helps individuals retain it more effectively. It’s more than just a method for taking notes. It’s a comprehensive approach to learning.
Practical examples of using the SOAR method in learning
Sure, here are some practical examples of how you can use the SOAR method in learning:
Select: While attending a lecture or reading a textbook, you can actively select and note down key ideas, relevant details, and examples. For instance, if you’re studying a chapter on “The French Revolution,” you might select key events, important figures, and the causes and effects of the revolution.
Organize: After selecting the information, you can organize it in a way that makes sense. For example, you might create a timeline of events for the French Revolution or a chart comparing the roles of different figures. This helps you structure the information in a meaningful way.
Associate: This step involves linking new information to what you already know. For example, you might associate the causes of the French Revolution with similar causes of other revolutions you’ve studied. You could also create examples or use mnemonics to help remember the information.
Regulate: Finally, you monitor your own learning. This could involve self-testing to check your understanding of the French Revolution. You might also reflect on which strategies are working well for you and which need adjustment.
The SOAR method is adaptable and can be used for various academic tasks. It’s about taking notes and improving how you learn and retain information.
How to apply the SOAR method in your note-taking
Applying the SOAR method to your note-taking can greatly enhance your learning. Here’s how you can do it:
Select: While taking notes, focus on the main ideas, relevant details, and examples. Avoid writing down everything verbatim. Instead, put the information in your own words. This helps in better understanding and retention.
Organize: Structure your notes in a way that makes sense to you. You could use bullet points, headings, subheadings, or diagrams. The goal is to make the information easy to review later.
Associate: Try to connect new information with what you already know. For example, if you’re learning a new concept, think about how it relates to concepts you’ve learned before. This helps in creating a mental map of the information.
Regulate: Review your notes regularly and test yourself on the material. This could be through flashcards, practice problems, or teaching the material to someone else. Regular review helps to move information from short-term to long-term memory.
Effective note-taking is more than just writing down what the teacher says. It’s about actively engaging with the material. The SOAR method can help you do this.
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