More Effective Learning
Want more effective learning? Of course it can be accomplished
simply by spending more time memorizing and reviewing information.
The problem with this approach is that you have only so much
time to devote to any one pursuit. Here's a better way: Use techniques
that make learning easier in less time. The following is an example
of one.
Learning by Teaching
Let's suppose you are trying to learn about economics - specifically
about the way that the money supply affects the economy. You
read the books and materials, but it just doesn't "stick."
Then a friend asks you what you are studying. You start to explain,
and you have a book or some of your other study materials in
front of you. You refer to these and tell him how the "velocity"
of money - the number of times money is loaned out, deposited
in banks and reloaned - can increase the money supply.
Soon it is starting to make sense to you. The more you explain
what you are learning, the more you remember the material. This
is normal. One of the most effective ways to learn something
is to teach it or explain it to another person.
There are some problems with this "learning technique,"
however. First, you have to find someone who is willing to listen
to you. These victims, or "students" may be tough to
come by. The second problem is the time this takes. You not only
spend time to find your listeners, but then you have to spend
a fair amount of time "teaching" them the material.
More Effective Learning - A Better Technique
There is a solution to these problems. It is to use your imagination.
Interestingly, you can get much of the benefit of teaching just
by vividly imagining yourself teaching the material. It can change
your perspective and make your learning much more efficient.
It may help to first do some real teaching to develop this
ability to mentally "teach" while studying. Explain
something you are studying to a friend, especially if you have
never done much teaching before. This will give you an idea of
how to present new knowledge and information. It also will help
you more vividly imagine the lessons you'll be giving in your
head.
As you study now, keep the idea in mind that you will be teaching
what you're learning. Vividly imagine how you would teach it.
Suppose, for example, you are studying evolution. You would see
yourself writing an example on a chalkboard. Then you would look
at your imaginary student or students (whichever scenario seems
to work better for you) and hear yourself explaining how natural
selection isn't about individual animals adopting to their environments,
but about those that are not already suited to it dying out,
leaving the more suited ones to reproduce.
You'll probably find that these imagined lessons go much faster
than real ones. Your students will only interrupt you with relevant
questions. You'll also notice that you can remember the material
better when you use this exercise in imagination. Why not try
this powerful technique for more effective learning?
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