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Effective learning: Twenty rules of formulating knowledge
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1. Do not learn if you do not understand
If you have yet to comprehend something, you are wasting your time trying to learn it.
If you have yet to comprehend something, you are wasting your time trying to learn it.
2. Learn before you memorize
Understand the whole picture before you spend time memorizing individual facts or rules.
Understand the whole picture before you spend time memorizing individual facts or rules.
3. Build upon the basics
The cost to memorize these things is low, but the payoff is high.
The cost to memorize these things is low, but the payoff is high.
4. Stick to the minimum information principle
Simple is easy. Repetition of simple items is easier to get through.
Simple is easy. Repetition of simple items is easier to get through.
5. Cloze deletion is easy and effective
This is where you fill in the gap in a sentence. It's quick and effective.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloze_test
This is where you fill in the gap in a sentence. It's quick and effective.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloze_test
6. Use imagery
It's easier for our brains to store a memory when it can be attached to something visual.
It's easier for our brains to store a memory when it can be attached to something visual.
7. Use mnemonic techniques
They help you remember things easier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic
They help you remember things easier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic
8. Graphic deletion is as good as cloze deletion
Instead of filling in a missing word, you fill in a missing piece of an image.
A good tool for drawing images is @excalidraw
Instead of filling in a missing word, you fill in a missing piece of an image.
A good tool for drawing images is @excalidraw
9. Avoid sets
A set is a collection or group of objects i.e. a set of fruits.
It's more difficult to retain memories based on sets (unless it's in the same order every time).
A set is a collection or group of objects i.e. a set of fruits.
It's more difficult to retain memories based on sets (unless it's in the same order every time).
10. Avoid enumerations
These are hard to learn. Better than sets, but still difficult. Instead, break them into small chunks.
These are hard to learn. Better than sets, but still difficult. Instead, break them into small chunks.
11. Combat interference
i.e. trying to learn the difference between historic and historical
It's easy to get these confused. Try to avoid this if you can.
i.e. trying to learn the difference between historic and historical
It's easy to get these confused. Try to avoid this if you can.
12. Optimize wording
You want to be able to recall the information in the shortest amount of time. This can
- reduce error rates
- increase specificity
- reduce response time
- improve concentration
You want to be able to recall the information in the shortest amount of time. This can
- reduce error rates
- increase specificity
- reduce response time
- improve concentration
13. Refer to other memories
It's easy to remember things when you relate it to what you already know. A common example is associating two people with the same name — one person you already know and a new person.
It's easy to remember things when you relate it to what you already know. A common example is associating two people with the same name — one person you already know and a new person.
14. Personalize and provide examples
Connect it to your personal life. It will save you time and be easier to recall.
Connect it to your personal life. It will save you time and be easier to recall.
15. Rely on emotional states
Things that are vivid and shocking are easier to retrieve. If it evokes strong emotions, it will be easier to remember.
Things that are vivid and shocking are easier to retrieve. If it evokes strong emotions, it will be easier to remember.
16. Context cues simplify wording
If the information is specific to a context, it will spark the memory faster.
If the information is specific to a context, it will spark the memory faster.
17. Redundancy does not contract minimum information principle
It may seem redundant to have 3 situations for learning one concept. However, you can keep all 3 simple and as long as they make meaningfully help you learn that thing, they are valid.
It may seem redundant to have 3 situations for learning one concept. However, you can keep all 3 simple and as long as they make meaningfully help you learn that thing, they are valid.
18. Provide sources
There may come a time when you want to back up the knowledge with data. Keep sources around just in case. Plus you can revisit later to dive deeper.
There may come a time when you want to back up the knowledge with data. Keep sources around just in case. Plus you can revisit later to dive deeper.
19. Provide date stamping
Information may go out of date (depending on what you're learning) so be sure to keep a date around. You may need to update your information in the future.
Information may go out of date (depending on what you're learning) so be sure to keep a date around. You may need to update your information in the future.
20. Prioritize
It's easy to say over-consume information and tell yourself you'll need it all in the future. Instead prioritize what you need to know to accomplish your near-term goals.
It's easy to say over-consume information and tell yourself you'll need it all in the future. Instead prioritize what you need to know to accomplish your near-term goals.
If you enjoyed this thread, you might enjoy this article I wrote about learning things quickly https://joeprevite.com/learn-quickly
https://joeprevite.com/learn-quickly
Source:
"Effective learning: Twenty rules of formulating knowledge" by Dr. Piotr Wozniak
https://www.supermemo.com/en/archives1990-2015/articles/20rules
End thread
"Effective learning: Twenty rules of formulating knowledge" by Dr. Piotr Wozniak
https://www.supermemo.com/en/archives1990-2015/articles/20rules
End thread
