Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/2-1-1-what-is-a-summary

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: Generative Learning - Seneca Certified](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified.md) › What is a Summary?

# What is a Summary?

CPD: Generative Learning (by Zoe & Mark Enser), topic 2.1.1

## What is a Summary?

An explanation to summaries and summarising in terms of generative learning.

### Everyday context

![Everyday context](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-07/ef26e7c9-9871-4bde-85d4-6a4798483c01/tea-time-3240766_1920.jpg)

- Summary is a common process used in everyday life. It can crop up when we retell stories, reflect on past events and think about earlier conversations.
- Summarising involves abbreviating, selecting important points and redacting the unnecessary.

### Generative learning

![Generative learning](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/334c54bc-83be-4ec1-8cbe-7253540403d8/wood-road-journey-constant.png)

- Summarising in generative learning requires students to collage and reorganise the main points from their learning.
- This can happen at different points in the learning process.

### Increased efficacy

![Increased efficacy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/206c08d1-a87f-4692-a20f-a9b0fb0efa72/competition-running-chart-.jpg)

- Summarising is the most effective where the learning is not reliant on spatially complex material.
 - For example, diagrams and tables already present condensed or synthesised data.

## Test yourself on What is a Summary?

- When is summarising the most effective?
- Choose the correct statement about summarising.

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/1fe06c82-131b-4c3c-908d-894226f6e845/section/b37994cf-d7ff-4abc-8c00-6ed063c3383c/session)

- Previous topic: [1.1.2 Context in the Education Landscape 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/1-1-2-context-in-the-education-landscape-2.md)
- Next topic: [2.1.2 Learn by Summarising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/2-1-2-learn-by-summarising.md)

## CPD: Generative Learning (by Zoe & Mark Enser) contents

### 1 Introduction
- 1.1 From Teaching to Learning
  - [1.1.1 Context in the Education Landscape 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/1-1-1-context-in-the-education-landscape-1.md)
  - [1.1.2 Context in the Education Landscape 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/1-1-2-context-in-the-education-landscape-2.md)

### 2 Summarising
- 2.1 Learning by Summarising
  - [2.1.1 What is a Summary?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/2-1-1-what-is-a-summary.md)
  - [2.1.2 Learn by Summarising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/2-1-2-learn-by-summarising.md)
  - [2.1.3 Summarisation at Work](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/2-1-3-summarisation-at-work.md)
  - [2.1.4 Case Study: Adam Riches](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/2-1-4-case-study-adam-riches.md)

### 3 Self-Testing
- 3.1 Learning by Self-Testing
  - [3.1.1 Learning by Self-Testing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/3-1-1-learning-by-self-testing.md)
  - [3.1.2 Case Study: Emma Smith](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/3-1-2-case-study-emma-smith.md)

### 4 Self-Explaining
- 4.1 Learning by Self-Explaining
  - [4.1.1 Learning by Self-Explaining](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/4-1-1-learning-by-self-explaining.md)
  - [4.1.2 Case Study: Ceridwen Eccles](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-generative-learning-seneca-certified/4-1-2-case-study-ceridwen-eccles.md)