Using a white (dry erase) board to study

Stephalump · Jun 24, 2012

I just want to get a wall as a sight board. Lol

They make paint for that! My mom found me a school size one that takes up our entire office wall. It was $10 at a resale shop. Love it!

IndyElmer · Jun 25, 2012

Here's some random/semi-organized info on how I use my dry erase boards.

I like to look at my notes and write out a list of questions or "prompts" that might not actually questions but are still meant to make me be able to write out the info in my notes on a dry erase board without looking at my notes.

Sometimes, it helps to organize the information I need to learn into tables, mnemonics or "big pictures" for easier recall of related info. Even if I can't remember the specific fact that the application question on a test is asking about, I might be able to use some related stuff that I can remember to jog my memory about the fact(s) that are in the application question. I often use my dry erase board for this kind of "grouping" trial.

I write related info on a big dry erase board (either huge wall size one at the library or in a classroom or a 2' x 3' one at home) and I can easily move the parts around until I see a "big picture." I copy down that "big picture" on paper so that in the future (either later that study session or even days/weeks into the future) I can try to recreate it based on a prompt.

The prompt for "big picture" might be something as basic as "tell me about vision" (but the "big picture" is a really detailed retelling of everything that's in my notes about vision) or it be more detailed like "Diabetes - include types & their characteristics, Assessment for each type, diagnosis of each type, sign/symptoms of each type, treatment, potential complications of diabetes, nursing interventions, patient teaching."

To learn the material, I like to write out the answers to the questions on a dry erase board, using one color of marker to write out my answers and another to fill in missing info or to correct info.

For "big" questions -- like that diabetes one, I might start with just one part,writing it out a couple times (say the types & their characteristics) then I would write out the next part (say assessment), then erase it all. Rewrite both of those sections then add a 3rd section. Erase it all, rewrite the first 3 sections and add a 4th and so on. I try to write the info in the same relative positions, sometimes I add a quick cartoon drawing or barely related "picture words" -- like "Easter Egg" that technically has nothing to do with anything but does have some meaning (in my warped mind) which gives me an image to help associate some of the facts with for later recall. By writing the info in the same general position, if I can't remember one particular part, but I can remember another, I can mentally start going through my big picture where I remember different sections/position of the drawing until eventually that jogs my memory about the specific part the question is about.

Often I talk while I'm writing, but not always. Sometimes I study with a friend or two where we're each busily learning the info on our own (based off of co-created "big pictures" and prompts), then we take turns writing out "big pictures" where the person writing is explaining what it all means the people watching help (as requested by the 'writer') with prompting for parts/facts the person writing may be missing or may have wrong. It's just another way to see what you know -- can you predict what they are going to write? Do you know what's missing? Can you identify facts/parts that are wrong?

I also use a smaller, 8.5x11 or 9x12 board that fits in my backpack so that I can study on the go too. It's harder to do "big pictures" on such a small board. My big pictures often include material from 4 or more pages of lecture notes, but I can still do sections of them on the portable board.

nicasu2000 · Jun 25, 2012

I have been doing this since HS. Definitely helps me understand the concepts! :)

I use my dry erase board to give "pretend" lectures. I have a large dry erase board on my bedroom wall. If I across a topic that is difficult for me to comprehend, I then use the dry erase board to pretend I'm giving a lecture about the topic. After I study the topic quietly (reading/memorizing), I go to the board and write down the main points and talk out loud, as if I'm teaching it to someone. Yes, it sounds kinda silly, but pretending to teach the material really helps the difficult concepts stick for me.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 25, 2012

My gf uses a large 2x3 foot one on the kitchen table. She draws out concept maps almost and writes down a lot of the information. She says that just putting the words "pen to paper" helps commit it to memory. It would never work for me but she says it is good for her.

jhernand1221 · Jun 25, 2012

I use the dry erase board for diagrams. I'll draw out like the blood flow & use different colors. I'll also draw organs & use colors to see the different compartments or muscles (from inner to outer.) It is awesome for A&P :). Using it for math is also very helpful.

I like the ideas of how many of you study with the dry erase board by "teaching". That is pretty neat & something I will definitely be trying out this coming semester. I love reading everyone's tips!!

Tinkx RN · Jun 25, 2012

Since this post is full of white board lovers, anyone know how to get something uneraseable off of one?I had an issue with one of our dry erase markers - it stopped being erasable and there's writing stuck on every white board in the house!

You can use expo cleaner I think its called with paper towel... its a spray for dry erase boards and they sell them usually with the dry erase boarrds at any office supply seller and did you use the dry erase eraser its like the chalk borad eraser but its lighter...good luck with that!

shopgirl571, ADN, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 25, 2012

I just read this post and all I can say is I am going to the store and buying a white erase board!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never would have thought about doing this... I am starting my RN program again for the third time this fall and need all the help I can get... This idea is absolutely genius and am so excited about trying this... Please keep the ideas coming.. thanks again to all the fellow students out there... :nurse: :)

dsf43 · Jun 25, 2012

So I came across this thread... never tried this method of studying, but I am definitely going to go out and buy myself a board now! I feel like it will be a huge help towards studying, especially if I am pretending to "teach" someone else. The more you have to think and talk about it, the more it will stick in the long run. I do not have very good studying habits and can use all the help I can get when I start my program this fall. Thank you!

kristajaye · Jun 25, 2012

Since this post is full of white board lovers, anyone know how to get something uneraseable off of one?
I had an issue with one of our dry erase markers - it stopped being erasable and there's writing stuck on every white board in the house!

Baby wipes work well for me.

For those looking for a smaller portable board, check the dollar spot at Target in the late summer. We found lots of cute ones last year at back to school time.

PirateArrrNnnn · Jun 26, 2012

You can also use the outside of a 3 ring binder as a whiteboard. Some teachers at the elementary school in which I taught used them with the kids.

ARCTX85 · Jun 26, 2012

I love using white boards, especially for diagraming different aspects of a topic. It's been really useful for my 12-Lead EKG course in diagraming the hexoaxial plane. There are so many different views of the heart with using EKGs, it only makes sense to be able to just erase it once I've got the concept of one view and then move onto the next.

ARCTX85 · Jun 26, 2012

Something else that I did for a pharmacology research article, was to take those transparent sheet slip covers, use one for each paper, and then put it all in a binder. It works great to highlight and draw over the top of the paper and then erase later.