needed to build rock-solid knowledge for lifetime. Some points may be obvious to you, some
may be new. Those which require further discussion provide links to further materials on
this website and on the net. This article is also available in Simplified
English: Six steps to excellent memory
If you have found this place in the vast cyberspace of the web, you
are probably not the one to convince that knowledge is power, and that solutions to most
problems facing humanity could be found if we were armed with more understanding of how
the world works. While knowledge is power, information can be overpowering. An increasing
proportion of the population suffers from Information Fatigue Syndrome, i.e. from stress
related to being overwhelmed with an unmanageable glut of information.
This text introduces you to simple steps toward managing information
and toward rock-solid knowledge. No cheap miracles. Just a clear and straight approach
based on facts and science. Within the bounds of the possible.
I have been working on the problem of effective learning for 16
years now since, as a student of molecular biology, I first understood how I could greatly
change the quality of all my actions were I able to improve the recall of what I studied
for exams (and not only).
Now, I would like to share my experience with you for one major reason: I want to see more
people enjoy the blessing of empowering knowledge. If we all could learn and understand
more, the world would definitely look better for all of us. Although I represent a company
that is involved in commercial distribution of software tools and material for enhanced
learning, I guarantee that after going through my 20-minute course you will be
armed to
experience noticeable improvement in your learning ability without spending a penny!
You may find the first three points obvious. Please do not
stop reading if this is the case.
This is the shortest path to empowering knowledge:
- Nurse your hunger for knowledge - if your motivation for
getting knowledge is weak you can stop reading this text. The rest of my advice will not
work. Your motivation cannot be shallow (like for passing an exam, showing off at a party,
impressing the boss, etc.). You have to find the clear-cut link between knowledge and the
value it brings to life. Do you like science programs? Are you interested in how your
computer works? Do you surf the net looking for news? If the answer is yes, you
are probably on the right track. Can you spend more than 30 minutes on a totally
uncreative and non-intellectual activity (e.g. gossip, adult magazines, unadulterated
laziness, etc.)? If yes, you may have a motivational problem. The hunger for
knowledge grows as you get more educated (the more you know the more you know you don't
know). So there is an excellent remedy for poor motivation: learn more and see how it can
impact your and others' life. Research shows that strong
motivation may actually count more than your IQ. Do not forget about
your health! A strong body makes it easier to nurture a well motivated mind
- Determine what you
really need to know - you must first clearly identify the areas of knowledge that are
most likely to positively influence your future. You will not even be able to skim the
surface of the world's knowledge resources in your lifetime! The earlier you realize this
the faster you will reach the point at which you will see that three well-selected pieces
of knowledge may have the power to blast the entire shelf of ill-picked books. You must
first see how much time you can spend on learning daily. Only a lucky few can afford to
learn new things for more than an hour per day. If this is the case with you, the problem
of knowledge selection is yet more burning. Take a long-term perspective. Do not get
obsessed with learning just one subject, e.g. English, Excel or Economics! To assume a
responsible position in society, you will need strong general knowledge on health,
sociology, history, natural sciences, etc. Only those who can grasp the full picture are
well positioned to be successful in their efforts
- Locate sources of information - unless you are in
your student years, going through a collection of thick books may not be the best way to
accomplish your goals. Limited time gives preference to an incremental approach. You can
study lots of sources in parallel and pick only information of the highest priority. Have
you discovered the power of the Internet? Lots of answers can now be found on the
net (as this article: short, free, and, hopefully, making an impact). Obviously
you should cast your net wide. TV, news magazines and the library are still irreplaceable
in many areas. See also: Devouring knowledge and Incremental
reading to find out about
efficient strategies for collecting, prioritizing and processing knowledge from the
web
- Formulate knowledge for active recall - this is the
first point on the list that will require some convincing. Effective learning must be
based on repetition. Otherwise whatever you learn will sooner or later be
forgotten. Do not trust theories which tell you that you can develop memories lasting for
lifetime! Everything you remember for life is somehow rehearsed by your memory (even if
you are not aware of the repetition). The concept of permastore (indelible
memory) is true only if you understand it as long-lasting memories that reach beyond your
expected lifespan. No acquired memories last for ever; as a result, repetition is
necessary to remember.
An effective repetition must be based on active
recall. This means that your brain must generate the answer.
You cannot just
passively process information. It is not enough to read that George Washington was the first US
president. You need a question! For example: Who was the first US president?
You will be disappointed to find out that most of the learning material available
worldwide still does not comply with active recall! Additionally, whatever is based on active
recall may not meet your expectations. Do you like running through exercises at the end of
a course book? Probably not. The painful truth is that you will certainly have to formulate
most of the knowledge yourself. After all, you will be getting it from various sources:
CNN, Internet, Newsweek, encyclopedias, business journals, science journals, etc. These
sources are not best suited for learning. They do not comply with the active
recall principle. The
time you invest in formulating knowledge for active recall will be returned manifold as
long as you stick with the remaining principles of the presented formula for
success in learning! (esp.
Point 2: selecting only material that
you need, and Point 5: repeating it in a
rational manner). You will yet need lots of time to perfect the skill of adequately
formulating knowledge for learning. You will find more details in The 20 rules of formulating knowledge in learning
(including Tony Buzan's mind maps, cloze deletion, handling enumerations, etc.)
- Use spaced repetition (i.e. repeat the material in
properly selected intervals of time) - this point is most likely to enhance your
learning skills even if you are a seasoned student! As mentioned earlier, you must repeat
the learned material to make sure it really remains in your memory. The most difficult
problem to solve is how to properly select the timing of repetitions. This problem has
been solved for you and is immediately available as the SuperMemo method of fast learning
(the name SuperMemo is derived from super memory and
has nothing to do with memos). You can start using SuperMemo in minutes. You have three
options, two of which are free:- you can read Using SuperMemo without a computer
and start using the method today - you can download older versions of SuperMemo
freeware - if you have a credit card, you can order
SuperMemo in minutes (Windows, Palm, Pocket PC, etc.)
Once you learn how to use SuperMemo, you will remain for ever free
of worries about being or not being able to remember the knowledge you learn. In newer
versions of SuperMemo software, you can even tell the computer what proportion of
knowledge you want to retain in memory (between 90-99%)
- you can read Using SuperMemo without a computer
- Do not neglect knowledge management - once you start
learning using the previously mentioned principles, you must not forget that your needs
change in the same way as the world around you. This fact must find its reflection in
learning! Repetitions of the learned material must become a standard fixture in your daily
schedule. This time will be spent well if you carefully make sure at each repetition that
the material you learn is really worth the time you put in it. It must be up-to-date,
useful, and properly formulated. You may be saving 70-90% of your time if you remove or
reformulate the hardest 5% of your learning material! The
newest version of SuperMemo (see pictures)
makes it possible to reschedule, postpone, dismiss, reedit
or simply delete all material whose place in the learning process is changing. For more
information about effective learning based on active recall and SuperMemo read: Learning Decalog
You may be now skeptical of whether the above procedure is really
worth the initial investment of time and adapting your mind to a new approach:
- Is knowledge really so central to my life?
- Is this active recall idea really critical? Why should I reformulate
whatever I hear or read? Isn't it an awful waste of time? - Is the SuperMemo method really a must? Aren't my currently used
methods sufficient? Reading a 5-page article, searching for shareware or shelling out a
couple of dollars might be barriers many of you will not be ready to pass! Sticking with
regular repetitions may be an even steeper obstacle
I have devoted all my academic and professional life to promoting
the above approach and I guarantee results to anyone who will have the will to try and the
persistence to continue. If you have any doubts, please do not hesitate and write to
SuperMemoMail with your
questions
Further reading
- Devouring knowledge - how to maximize the speed
of learning - Roots of genius and creativity - how to maximize
one's creative powers - 20 rules of formulating knowledge
- some tricks that will help you remember better - Good sleep for good learning -
basic knowledge on the importance of sleep for learning - Forget about forgetting - popular
scientific article about the role of repetition in learning - Learning Decalogue
- ten
commandments of effective learning with SuperMemo - Incremental reading - how to
use SuperMemo to read many articles at the same time and convert them
to lasting knowledge - Build your vocabulary - an article
about using SuperMemo for learning vocabulary
(Six Steps mind map
generated in Mind Manager 3.5, imported to SuperMemo
2004, courtesy of John England, TeamLink Australia Pty Ltd)
See also: Recommended websites
