Deep and Surface approach

DEEP APPROACH	SURFACE APPROACH
The intention of the student here is ‘to understand’	The intention of the student here is only ‘to complete the task’ e.g. complete an assignment.
The focus is placed on what is ‘signified’ or meant.	The focus here is only on the ‘signs’ e.g. what does the lecturer want me to do for my assignment, what is she ‘looking for’?
The student wants and tries to relate previous knowledge to new knowledge.	The student tends to focus on unrelated parts of the task, does not try to ‘relate’ knowledge.
The student tries to relate knowledge (what they have learnt) from different modules.	The student memorises information for assessment only.
The student relates theoretical ideas to everyday experiences, including work and professional practice experiences.	The student accepts facts and concepts unquestioningly and unreflectively
The student relates and distinguishes between evidence and argument.	The student fails to distinguish principles from examples.
Students organise and structure their learning ‘content’ into a coherent whole. i.e. they try to relate all their learning, from a variety of contexts.	Students treat any learning task given e.g. an assignment, as an external imposition.
There is an internal emphasis in a student’s learning. The student is interested in what he/she is learning, for their own sake.	There is an external emphasis. The student is only interested in what happens externally; e.g. have they ‘done enough’ to pass their assignment?

For the mainly reflection is both because it is only a refresh memory or update some concepts.

Interesting lectures will be taken as deep and the other as surface but because it is already done it.... Otherwise we would get bored all the time....