Different techniques to learn better

Let’s look at the different techniques that can be used to learn and retain better. We will go through each of this in detail.

1. Chunking
2. Pomodoro Technique
3. Spaced Repetition
4. Feynman technique
5. Memory Palace
6. Mind Mapping
7. Learning through recall and reflection

CHUNKING

Let’s understand the idea of “chunking”, which is the basis of learning everything i.e. uniting bits of information together through meaning. Each chunk is a network of neurons in our brain, which can then be integrated with other small chunks and form bigger chunks.
The purpose of chunking is to maximize the utilization capacity of someone’s short-term memory. Because the capacity is between four and seven plus or minus two, chunking allows the individual to store more information in their short-term memory by assigning the information into groups.

Chunking works because most people can only remember seven plus or minus two which is why phone numbers are chunked in three digits, three digits, and then four digits. There are a total of ten numbers, but because short-term memory cannot remember large amounts of information, information can be chunked together. Additional research argues that humans can only remember about four chunks of information at a time which still supports the chunking of phone numbers.

How to use Chunking memory strategy
Making connections
It can be performed by thinking about how concepts or lists align with each other. For example, if you need paper towels, paper plates, plastic cutlery, paper bowls, soda, and frozen food, it would be easier to remember disposable kitchen items, soda, and frozen food.
Paired association
When two words or two concepts are remembered together. You pair them when there’s a connection.
Acronyms
It can be used to remember list of points or sentences by making a code word.
Example – PEMDAS – is a sequence in solving math equation.
Parenthesis|Exponents|Multiplication|Division|Addition|Subtraction
Acrostics
You create a sentence to remember words or procedure.
Example: ” My very elegant mother just served us nine peanuts”
(Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,Jupiter, Saturn,Uranus, Neptune,Pluto)
We can use the above sentence to remember the nine planets.

POMODORO TECHNIQUE

It is a time management method based on 25 minutes stretches of focused work with a 5 minute break. This method was created by Francesco Cirillo in 1980’s when he was a university student and used a tomato shaped kitchen timer to follow study schedules ranging from 2 minutes to 60 minutes. After a few experimentation he settled on 25 minute timer. Pomodoro is an Italian word for tomato.
A timer allows you to focus on your task better. This method also overcomes people from procrastinating or multitasking at the same time which are known to impair productivity while you trying to focus on a single task.
“Planning your quitting time is as important as planning your working time” writes Dr. Oakley. Hence rewarding yourself is equally important on completing the task.

• Pomodoro Internal Process. Develop an effective relationship with time to improve productivity.
• Pomodoro Core Process. Bring focus to the tasks in order to reach goals with less effort.
• Pomodoro Daily Process. Set up a daily routine, improve the daily work process and complete multiple tasks more effectively.
• Pomodoro Weekly Process. Set up a weekly routine, organize time more efficiently and achieve multiple goals.
  Pomodoro Team Process. Learn to adapt the Pomodoro Technique to a team setting.

SPACED REPETITION

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ― Lao Tzu
Spaced repetition is evidence based learning technique that involves flash cards. Repeat what you are trying to retain and space this repetition out over a number of days. Newly introduced and more difficult flashcards are shown frequently, while older and less difficult flashcards are shown less frequently. The use of spaced repetition has proven to increase the rate of learning. This helps to move the learning into long term memory.
At the beginning of the learning process, the intervals are spaced closely together (one hour-four hour-one day). As soon as the material is reviewed the intervals become longer (four days- one week – two weeks).
In each of these spaced repetitions, you should be doing retrieval practice i.e. testing yourself .
For any aspect of your studies that involves committing things to memory – learning vocabulary and grammar; tables and diagrams; names and dates; definitions; formulas; facts; lists; numbers; processes – you should predominantly be using retrieval practice and spacing together.
Do retrieval practice sessions, but space out your retrieval practice on a single topic over multiple days.

FEYNMAN TECHNIQUE

Richard Feynman was a nobel price winning physicist. His real super power was to explain complicated subjects to others in simple terms.He realized that jargon, vague words and complexity reveal a lack of understanding.
The four steps to Feynman technique is,
1. Chose a concept you want to learn
2. Explain it to a 12 year old
3. Reflect, Refine and Simplify
4. Organize and Review

MEMORY PALACE- CREATING VISUAL IMAGES

A Memory Palace is an imaginary location in your mind where you can store mnemonic images. The most common type of memory palace involves making a journey through a place you know well, like your home, building or town. Along that journey there are specific locations that you always visit in the same order.

How to Create a Memory Palace

1. Step 1: For your first memory palace, try choosing a place that you know well, like your home or office.
2. Step 2: Plan out the whole route — for example: front door, shoe rack, bathroom, kitchen, living room, etc. Some people find that going clockwise is helpful, but it isn’t necessary. Eventually, you will have many memory palaces. You will also be able to revise the memory palace after you test it a few times, so don’t worry if it’s not perfect on the first try.
3. Step 3: Now take a list of something that you want to memorize — a shopping list of 20 items is a good place to start: carrots, bread, milk, tea, oats, apples, etc.
4. Step 4: Take one or two items at a time and place a mental image of them in each locus of your memory palace. Try to exaggerate the images of the items and have them interact with the location. For example, if the first item is “carrots” and the first locus in your memory palace is the front door, picture some giant carrots opening up your front door.
5. Step 5: Make the mnemonic images come alive with your senses. Exaggeration of the images and humor can help.
   Reference: https://artofmemory.com/blog/how-to-build-a-memory-palace/#how-to-create-a-memory-palace

MIND MAPPING

Mind maps are diagrams. It’s articulating your thinking through visual pictures, symbols, numbers and words. We always wrote notes from up to down in linear format. However research says, our brain works circular, around and around that helps us to see relationships, associations, connections of how pieces connect to the whole. There are lots of advantages of mind mapping like,

1. It’s a spontaneous way of thinking and important component of creative thinking. It allows us to come up with multiple solutions to problems using mind map.
2. Mind maps helps memorize information very easily due to its visual/graphic view. Mind maps help children, teens, and adults solve problems, define goals, see the big picture, organize your life, memorize information, and more. 

This a classic example of an animal mind map that visually allows the brain to retain the information very well. Here the animals are categorized based on their unique characteristics This can be further expanded for further studies.

LEARNING THROUGH RECALL AND REFLECTION

“Art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery” ~Mark Van Doren.
Experiences create opportunities for learning and one must get into the habit of linking and creating meaning from their experiences. To make meaning of concepts and ideas.
You can be a reflective learner when,
1. You can learn from past experiences
2. You can ask others for feedback.
3. You can be open to new ideas and suggestions
4. You can take actions with your knowledge.

Teachers who promote reflective classrooms ensure that students are fully engaged in the process of making meaning. They organize instruction so that students are the producers, not just the consumers, of knowledge.
Examples of reflective teaching are,
1. Record the learning in a journal.
2. Use self reflection worksheet to record