Acquiring concepts using MEAC

Overview

The MEAC is a structured approach for learning a concept. To use this approach, one does four things

  • Meaning. Find the meaning of the concept.
  • Examples. Find multiple examples of the concept.
  • Attributes. Determine key facts about the concept.
  • Connections. Determine how the concept is connected to other concepts.

An example of a MEAC for the concept of energy is given below. (click on the image to enlarge).

energy-meac.pdf

Building a MEAC

Meaning. In your own words (1-2 sentences), explain the meaning of the concept. Criteria for quality are:

  • This statement captures the main ideas of the concept.
  • The statement generalize to all instances of the concept.
  • The statement is precise (not vague).
  • The statement is valid (an expert would say I have my ideas down).
  • The statement is easy to understand & communicate.

Examples. Find 2-3 examples (or non-examples) from the real world that illustrate the meaning. Criteria for quality:
* examples are specific
* examples are relevant to the real world
* examples are connected to the conceptual meaning

Attributes. List key facts about the concept.
* most important key facts about the concept are given
* facts are prioritized from most important to least important

Connections. Explain how the concept is related to other relevant concepts.

Strategies for Creating Great MEACs

Ownership. Do MEACs for yourself, your goals, and your long-term knowledge. Use your own approach. This will increase the value you get out of MEACs.

Interpretation. Read the textbook, interpret, put into your own words. This will increase your validity.

Connections (real world). Connect the new concept (abstract) to your everyday world (concrete) by making up your own examples. This will covert the abstract concept to a familiar ideas.

Inquiry. Continually ask insightful questions about your knowledge. Never stop asking these questions Examples of questions: What does xyz mean? How do I know that my idea is correct? How is concept xyz related to concept pqm? How does this connect to the real world?

Multiple Representations. Find multiple explanations of the concept. Use wikipedia, other textbooks, peers, teacher, etc. Look for patterns (what they all say the same). These patterns are the essential knowledge.

Validation. Validate your knowledge by checking against textbooks (quality references) and by asking your professors and other experts. This will increase your validity and your confidence.

Iterative Approach. When you first create a MEAC, keep it simple. As you do application, continually update your MEACs.

Regular Review. On a regular basis review your MEACs until you can do them from memory. This will help you stick your knowledge into your long term memory.

Feedback. At first MEACs are challenging because they involve many cognitive skills. If you do MEACs & continually get feedback for improving your skills, you will get much better and MEACs will be automatic.

Classification. Look for the classification structure (schema) in the discipline. Examples:
*All forces can be classified as either body forces or surface forces
*In fluid mechanics, stress can be classified as normal stress (pressure) or shear stress.

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