In today’s article, let us look at practical techniques that make learning easier and more enjoyable.
Hola Learners! There is a unique quest taking on the education field, where teachers and students are constantly looking for new and improved ways to grasp things. The most incredible ways to retain knowledge for as long as possible are being sought after! We will look at some cool techniques in today’s story that help simplify and enhance the learning process. So settle up and get ready for an exciting voyage filled with discoveries and tricks.
Albert Einstein famously said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it well enough.”
The first technique we are going to look into today rests on this principle and is known as, the Feynman Technique.
1) The Feynman Technique, named after the Nobel laureate Richard Feynman, is a method of understanding complex concepts by simplifying them. The technique comprises four key steps,
a. Choose a topic you want to learn.
b. Teach it to a child. This step helps you in identifying the gaps in your understanding.
c. Review the topic and fill in the gaps.
d. Keep refining and simplifying until you get a complete grasp.
The secret lies in understanding the true essence of the concept rather than just memorizing it.
So simple yet profound, right? When Feynman asked you to explain it to a child, all he meant was to possess the ability to teach it to someone who has absolutely no prior knowledge of the concept. So, stop looking for a child and grasp the concept well in all its nuances.
2) Going forward, did you ever have to mug up a presentation at the last moment by burning the midnight oil? More probably than not, you would have ended up forgetting bits of it by the next morning. The next time, try this method, which might consume a little more of your time but yields the best possible outcome.
The Spaced Repetition Technique is a distributed practice often used to retain information longer. The basic rule upon which this technique works is that the brain learns best when information is reviewed at spaced intervals with a gradual increase in the breaks. It works on the “spacing effect” principle, which implies that learning must be spaced out over time rather than done together. So, the next time you prepare for an exam, opt for this instead of last-minute cramming. Some tools that can aid this process are flashcards, note-making, and mind maps.
3) The third method of learning often comes to your rescue when you have a difficult time concentrating. If you are someone like me who zones out every now and then to a la la dreamland, this technique is to keep you coming back to the pages of your book.
The Interleaved Technique is a very effective way to learn things faster without losing interest. It is a process where learners do not focus on one concept alone but oscillate between some related concepts. For example, when you sit down to prepare for your biology exam, explore other interrelated concepts and bodily functions instead of sticking with the digestive system for hours together. This helps the learner not to space out, and this alternative focus helps retain information better.
4) I am sure you must have read about Ivan Pavlov’s dog experiment during your school days. Yes, you got it right; it is the same one where a dog’s salivatory responses to food are examined with the understanding of classic conditioning theory. That experiment has also given rise to an interesting method of learning by experience and association.
The Associative Learning Technique is when learners try to connect what they want to know and what they already know. This method makes learning more manageable by giving them a sense of familiarity, where one only needs to understand the nuances and differences. If grasping the structure of an atom proves challenging, you could draw parallels to the solar system. Much like planets orbiting the sun, electrons revolve around the nucleus of an atom.
5) Now, let us look into a technique that dates back to the 1980s. It is basically like a work sprint with an incentive. The Pomodoro Technique is most effective for procrastinators. Try this when you need help concentrating on any task. All you have to do is set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on the task at hand until the timer rings. Now, take a 5-minute break to refresh yourself. This marks the completion of one Pomodoro. After completing four pomodoros, take a more extended break, say 15-20 minutes. This technique is highly recommended as it reduces fatigue by convincing you to concentrate for a reasonably short time. It helps us in breaking down the bigger task into smaller chunks.
Having understood the five rigorously used learning techniques, the decision rests in your hands to choose that one magical technique that works the best for you. All we can suggest is, trying every technique and developing your strategic learning method.
So, what was the last time you struggled to learn something and had to sit with it for hours without any real interest? If it is anytime recently, give yourself a chance by bracing any of the techniques you just learned.
Some quick trivia:
- Pomodoro means Tomato in Italian. The technique got its name when the inventor Francesco Cirillo used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to test this learning method for the first time.
- Associative learning can also lead to superstitious behavior. For example, if someone wears a particular item of clothing during a successful sports game, they may come to believe that the clothing item brings good luck, even though it has no actual causal relationship with the outcome.