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208 CHAPTER 8—6. The cerebellum is the coordinating center of voluntary move-
ments and is located behind the cerebrum.
—7. The framers of the Constitution devised alternative methods
of selection and terms of service for national officials.Identify and Develop Repeatable Categories. Signal words are useful in
determining what representation will be used (i.e., a hierarchy,
sequence, matrix, or diagram). However, because all hierarchical and
sequential representations can be extended to form matrix represen-
tations, it is important to learn how to identify the matrix’s repeat-
able categories.
It is important to be aware of the structure of different academic
disciplines. For example, history courses tend to focus on who, what,
why, and when questions that can be developed into repeatable cate-
gories such as causes, major battles, resolution, and so forth. In lit-
erature, short stories have a plot, a setting, and characters that can
be used as common characteristics for comparing stories. In psychol-
ogy, learning theories are used to explain how students learn. Therefore,
repeatable categories to consider might be the definition of learning,
role of the teacher, role of the student, and factors that influence
motivation.
Often authors and lecturers identify the repeatable categories. Sup-
pose you read about gender identity and the author points out that
he will discuss four different theories of gender identification and the
key processes and basic beliefs of each theory. Once you have com-
pleted the opening paragraph of the section in your textbook, you
have already identified the repeatable categories: key processes and
basic beliefs.
In some cases, you will read considerable material and have to
identify the repeatable categories on your own. Suppose you read in
a history book about different Asian cities. The author provides infor-
mation about living conditions in the cities but does not specifically
categorize the differences. For example, you may find reference to the
congestion in one city, the slow pace of the inhabitants in another
location, and so forth. If you were to develop a matrix of the infor-
mation, you might consider lifestyle as a repeatable category to com-
pare the cities you studied.
Like any other skill you develop, learning to construct representa-
tions takes practice. As you read textbooks this week and take notes,
think about how the information you are learning can be organized
more effectively. As you begin constructing representations, you will
find it easier to understand important relationships in the content of
your courses.