PDR?
P
Planning/Preparation
- Look at the question...
- Underline the important words
- Draw a diagram if needed or draw ON the diagram you've been given
- Jot down any formulae that might be relevant
- Let your ideas of how to move on to the next step come to you.
Often, students describe looking at a question and immediately fear that they don't have a clue as to what the answer will look like. The PDR? approach helps us focus on what the next step is. The next line. Rather than panic about the unknown, move on from where you currently understand.
D
Doing
- Put in the values
- Write down, line by line, every bit of progress you make.
- Calculate
- Show workings
The line by line approach will always help confidence as you progress through a question. It also becomes really helpful when you review your answers...
R
Review
- Return to the question you were asked. Read it again.
- ask yourself: Have I answered the question?
- ask yourself: Does it feel right?
- If in doubt, check back up the lines of workings you did in the 'Doing' part until you spot anything that isn't right.
a decimal point in the wrong place. Maybe even a rushed multiplication that doesn't make sense etc
?
Do I Move On?
If you've gone as far as you can and your Reviewing doesn't help you discover why your answers don't feel right then move on to the next question. If you have time, you can always return to it with a fresher perspective later.
