Tools and Techniques for Learning

Things left to do on this page:

Spell Check

The Learning Framework

This page is dedicated to the tools and techniques to improve the retention and efficacy of my learning process. It is the third part of my five part series detailing my learning framework.

The Learning Framework Series:

Learning Objectives:

Know how to research/compile a learning roadmap
Have techniques, skills and tools to help keep me disciplined, motivated and sticking to my learning goals
Have a list of techniques for different types of learning projects.
Have something to reference when planning a learning project.
Combine all of the information, techniques and such that I've learned about learning from all my research

Roadmap should be apart of the planning process?

Overview

This step is a collection of tools and techniques for various parts of the learning process. These tools can be used at various stages of the practicing and researching process.

This step should provide:

Outline:

Spaced Repitiion
Accountability Partner
Checklists

Encoding Information

This section is all about taking in information in the best way possible. When Reading, Watching, or Listening.

Scientific Theory Of Memory

Encoding How information is taken in, understood, and altered to better support storage. [2]
Storage How, where, how much, and how long encoded information is retained within the memory system. [2]
Retrieval The process through which individuals access stored information. [2]

Steps To Encoding Information:

Preparation Phase:
- Mind Dump: Clear mental space by jotting down unrelated thoughts before beginning.
- Overview: Get a sense of the material by reviewing summaries or introductory sections.
- Background Knowledge: Connect new information with what you already know.
- Formulate Questions: Set learning objectives by developing relevant questions.
Active Learning Phase:
- Concentration: Create a distraction-free environment to focus fully on the material.
- Note-Taking: Employ strategies like Cornell, Mapping, or Boxing methods to enhance memory.
- Engagement: Actively engage with the material through questioning and connecting concepts.
- Pause and Reflect: Summarize learned content periodically to reinforce understanding.
Post-Session Review:
- Memory Recall: Test recall by writing down everything remembered post-session.
- Organize and Synthesize: Highlight connections and summarize the content in your own words.
- Teach Others: Enhance retention by explaining the material to someone else.
- Spacing and Review: Distribute review sessions over time to improve long-term memory.
Additional Strategies:
- Visual and Acoustic Aids: Support encoding with diagrams, charts, and sounds.
- Elaborative Rehearsal: Relate new information to existing knowledge using mnemonic devices.
- Rest and Sleep: Allow time for rest and ensure adequate sleep for memory consolidation.

Note-Taking Tips:

Main Points. Focus on recording the main points of the lesson. Don't write down everyting you hear. [6]
Summarize. Summarizing the information in your own words will help the information make sense to you later on. [6]
List Unfamiliar Words. Circle these words so they are easy to spot so you can look up their definition later. [6]
Add Color. Color helps show the relationship between concepts and engages the brain better. [6]
Ask Teacher To Repeat/Rewind. This will ensure that you can write down all of the important information. [6]
Re-Copy Your Notes. If your handwriting is hard to read or you want to better remember the information, re-coping your notes will help. [6]
Use Symbols And Abbreviations. Using a system fo sysmbols and abbreviations can help focus on the keywords and remove the fluff words. e.g. = equals, ~ about, c. approximaterly, e.g. for example, [6]

Note-Taking Techniques:

Outline Method. Create an outline of the material provided. [5] You indent for each subtopic or supporting detail. A variation of this is the sentence method, in which you use complete sentences. [6]
Cornell Note-Taking Method. Divide your page into two columns: one for cues/questions and the other for notes. The notes section should be 2/3 of the width of the paper. Summarize the information at the bottom. [5] [6]
Boxing Method Each box contains a complete concept, idea, or category. [6]
Charting Method. For when you need to organize, compare and contrast, or categorize. divide the page into columns and rows. e.g. Column Headers: How?, Advantages:, Disadvantages:, When to use it? [6]
Mapping Method. Shows the connections between main points and supporting details. Start with the main topic in the middle of the page. Then continue to add supporting details/concepts that surround the main topic. [6]
Sketchnotes. Combine elements of mapping or boxing with meaningful doodles. Try to capture keywords and important phrases, then add images that help them connect with the topic. [6]
Q/E/C Method. The Question/Evidence/Conclusion method inbolves keeping track of how information is being presented, while focusing on the bigger picture. Organize the notes by first stating the question, then the evidence that answers the question, then draw a conclusion. [6]

Advice:

Mind Dump Before Starting. Before you start working write down your entire working memory to free up mental space to focus on the task at hand. [1]
Focus On Only One Thing At A Time. Dedicate more working memory slots to a task in order to better remember and get more out of the material. [1]
Give Yourself A Hook to Hang New Info. Ask for questions or topics in advance, get an overview of whta a meeting will cover, ask what a story is about, or quickly review new material before trying to intentionally learn it. [1]
Active Studying Strategies. Doing something with the material engages the part of our brain that makes up the task positive network. Write dowdn the information, make and use flash cards, take notes from a textbook. [1]
Make It Sticky. We remember things that are meaningful to us, or stand out as odd. Turn something you want to remember into a story, acronym, joke, or drawing. [1]
Teach Someone Else. When we explain what we've learned well enough for someone to understand it, we reinforce our own understanding of the material. [1]
Give It Time. space out learning sessions for new material and let your brain rest. Meditate, nap, or review what you've already learned. Giving our brain time to rest helps us encode information more effectively. [1]
Sleep. Getting enough sleep makes it easier to stay focused, and helps us process and strengthen what we learned that day. [1]
Visual Encoding. The human brain can recall images more easily than words alone. High-imagery words are encoded both visually and semantically thus building a stronger memory. [3] Optical information must be converted before entering long-term memory, so visual memoriess we conjure are representations, not genuine copies. [4]
Acoustic Encoding. Processing of sound, words and other auditory input. [3] Speaking helps you store information, through sub-vocal repetiition, the moving of our lips and speech organs without actually making a sound. [4]
Semantic Encoding. Attributing specific meaning, or contextual significance, to some sensory informaiton. Associating the information with existing memories allows them to be more efficiently stored and later retrieved. [4] Various strategies can be applied in learning such as chunking and mnemonics to aid in encoding. Acyronyms, Mnemonics, Memory palace, Chunking are effective examples. The more information there is the harder it is to memorize it all. Sequential presetnation of the information makes it easier to memorize. [3]
Elaborative Encoding. Relating new information to your existing store of memory. Mnemonic techniques, such as the method of Loci, operate through elaborative encoding. [4]
Tactile Encoding. Interpreting and storing tactile information, registerting touch, temperature, and pain. It has a reducted capacity comparative to the visual or auditory equivalents. [4] Typically not useful in learning. [3]
Organizational Encoding. Classifying information relative to associateions, groupings, or sequences. Involves linkingn new information to existing memory. [4]

Additional Link I found interesting: Standford Meta-Cognition On Learning

Creating Effective Flashcards

Content Selection: Focus on one atomic piece of information per flashcard for clear learning objectives.
Card Design:
- Visual Encoding: Add images, diagrams, or colors to support visual memory.
- Acoustic Encoding: Incorporate sounds or voice recordings for auditory learning.
- Semantic Encoding: Use meaningful context to enhance understanding and retention.
- Elaborative Encoding: Connect new information to existing knowledge or personal experiences.
- Organizational Encoding: Arrange information logically or categorize to aid recall.
Question and Answer Format: Employ clear, direct questions with a single specific answer for effective recall.
Utilization of Analogies: Use analogies to simplify complex concepts and foster innovation.
Customization and Personalization: Adapt flashcards to fit personal learning styles and interests.
Review and Adjustment: Regularly update flashcards based on Anki performance data and personal review.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Continually refine and expand your flashcard deck to match learning progress.