Application Questioning – Part One

What is application questioning?

Testing is essential for learning. Testing helps us discover what we don’t know so we can focus on these areas of weakness. At times, it might seem like a burden, but we wouldn’t remember nearly as much of what we’re learning without testing.
 
Application questioning takes the concept of testing even further. Application questions are extended test questions that require you to apply what you have learnt. When you answer application questions, you aren’t just recalling knowledge – you’re are also applying it. When you apply knowledge, you’re subconsciously telling your brain this is important, and it has no choice but to listen.
 
If all we learnt was theoretical knowledge with no application, what would be the point of learning? Fortunately, much of what we learn is useful, even if it isn’t obvious. The common problem with learning is that the use of what you’re learning isn’t taught. Instead, it’s only the information that’s taught without acknowledging its use, despite use being the whole reason our brain decides to remember anything in the first place. We end up skipping over arguably the most important part of the learning process.
 
Your brain is not a computer, and your memory isn’t a hard drive. Computers store information, but your brain stores use. This is why you might have trouble remembering the name of a friends dog, yet you will always remember whether or not it bites. The name isn’t important; it doesn’t have any use to your brain. But knowing if that dog is a threat – whether or not it bites – that’s useful.
 
Application questions are your weapon against forgetting. Your memory is amazing; you just need to use it properly. Begin by finding “use.” Fortunately, there’s no better way of finding use than applying what you learn.