OK4R

OK4R is a study system similar to SQ3R that can be used when you are trying to learn material from a textbook. OK4R is an acronym for the steps: Overview, Key Ideas, Read, Recall, Reflect, and Review.

Overview

Read the headings, introduction, table of contents, and summaries to get a general idea about what the text is about.

Key Ideas

Go over the text again and look for key ideas. These are usually located in the first sentence of each paragraph and in diagrams and captions.

Read

Read the material. This is frequently the only step that students perform.

Recall

Close the book and immediately try to recall the main points of what you have read. This will help solidify the information in your mind.

Reflect

We've discussed before how meaningfulness can help improve learning. In this step, try to relate what you have read to things that you already know. Try to find significance in what you have learned.

Review

At a later time, go over the text again to review material and refresh your memory. If you notice anything that you have forgotten, study those parts again.