SLANT

A RESEARCH-BASED LEARNING STRATEGY

(Ellis, 1991)Center for Research on Learning

University of Kansas1

WHAT IS A STRATEGY?

A STRATEGY a person's approach to learning and using information.

–It is an approach for students on how to think about and solve problems, or…… “how to learn”

–Learning strategies are used by students to help them understand information.

What is the SLANT Strategy? • Helps you to participate in class in appropriate

and productive ways

• Steps cue you to combine nonverbal (bodily), thinking skills, and verbal behaviors to activate your participation in class effectively

• Students who “master” SLANT understand why it is important to actively participate during class and how to do so.

What will this help me to do in the classroom?

• Understand what information is important to learn, and why learning it is important

• How to study effectively for a test• Helps you to create new ways to organize and categorize

information over time• Helps build comprehension skills, connections, and questioning

skills• Helps learning becoming more personal, fun, and interesting • Improves the quality of your participation and memory of material

What else might this strategy help you with?

S is for SIT UPExample:

Upright posture but relaxed

Non Examples:

Head on desk

Slouching in chair

L is for LEAN FORWARD

Example:

Leaning forward slightly

Non Examples:

Leaning backward

Exaggerated forward lean

A is for ACTIVATE YOUR THINKING

Examples: – Asking yourself questions– Answering your questions– Asking the teacher a question

you don’t understand– Make connections to self, text, world

Non Examples:

Talking to others during class

Playing with objects

Doodling

Doing nothing when you don’t understand

N is for NAME KEY INFORMATION

Examples:

Answering the teacher’s questions

Sharing your ideas or comments

Adding to others’ statements

Non Examples:

Keeping knowledge to yourself when you could help others

Ridiculing other students’ comments

T is for TRACK THE TALKER

Examples:

Keeping eyes on teacher when she/he speaks

Looking at students when they speak

Non Examples:

Staring out the window

Looking at your desk or students who are not contributing

Positive Participation Makes a Positive

Difference!!