Learning Course
- Lesson One - Pre-readingThe Power of Prereading - Part One
- The Power of Prereading - Part Two
- The Power of Prereading - Part Three
- The Power of Prereading - Part Four
- The Power of Prereading - Part Five
- Lesson Two - Single TaskingSingle Tasking - Part One
- Single Tasking - Part Two
- Single Tasking - Part Three
- Single Tasking - Part Four
- Single Tasking - Part Five
- Lesson Three - Recognition and RecallRecognition and Recall - Part One
- Recognition and Recall - Part Two
- Recognition and Recall - Part Three
- Recognition and Recall - Part Four
- Recognition and Recall - Part Five
- Lesson Four - Question LoggingQuestion Logging - Part One
- Question Logging - Part Two
- Question Logging - Part Three
- Question Logging - Part Five
- Question Logging - Part Four
- Lesson Five - The Testing EffectThe Testing Effect - Part One
- The Testing Effect - Part Two
- The Testing Effect - Part Three
- The Testing Effect - Part Four
- The Testing Effect - Part Five
- Lesson Six - Taking NotesTaking Notes - Part One
- Taking Notes - Part Two
- Taking Notes - Part Three
- Lesson Seven - Foundational LearningFoundational Learning - Part One
- Foundational Learning - Part Two
- Foundational Learning - Part Three
- Foundational Learning - Part Four
- Foundational Learning - Part Five
- Lesson eight - Deep LearningDeep Learning - Part One
- Deep Learning - Part Two
- Deep Learning - Part Three
- Deep Learning - Part Four
- Deep Learning - Part Five
- Lesson nine - High Yield LearningHigh Yield Learning - Part One
- High Yield Learning - Part Two
- High Yield Learning - Part Three
- High Yield Learning - Part Four
- High Yield Learning - Part Five
- Lesson ten - The Testing EffectThe Testing Effect - Part One
- The Testing Effect - Part Two
- The Testing Effect - Part Three
- The Testing Effect - Part Four
- The Testing Effect - Part Five
- Lesson eleven - active and passive learningActive and Passive Learning - Part One
- Active and Passive Learning - Part Two
- Active and Passive Learning - Part Three
- Active and Passive Learning - Part Four
- Active and Passive Learning - Part Five
- Lesson twelve - Study BlockingStudy Blocking - Part One
- Study Blocking - Part Two
- Study Blocking - Part Three
- Study Blocking - Part Four
- Study Blocking - Part Five
- Lesson thirteen - LinkingLinking - Part One
- Linking - Part Two
- Linking - Part Three
- Linking - Part Four
- Linking - Part Five
- Lesson fourteen - InterleavingInterleaving - Part One
- Interleaving - Part Two
- Interleaving - Part Three
- Interleaving - Part Four
- Interleaving - Part Five
- Lessons fifteen - Application QuestioningApplication Questioning - Part One
- Application Questioning - Part Two
- Copy of Application Questioning - Part Three
- Application Questioning - Part Four
- Application Questioning - Part Five
- Lesson Sixteen - Using TablesTables - Part One
- Tables - Part Two
- Tables - Part Three
- Tables - Part Four
- Tables - Part Five
Recap
Pre-reading
- Set a goal
- Specify exactly what that goal is
- Look through the text and use the headings to organize it into a loose structure in your mind
- Skim through the text
- Write down the concepts you come across
- Wrap up with a five-line summary
It’s important to be mindful that when setting your prereading goals – or any learning goals for that matter – they must be realistic. We have a propensity to overestimate our progress. When setting a goal, always factor in twenty per cent longer. This is known as your “fudge factor”.
Building some kind of fudge factor into your learning plan gives you a buffer against unrealistic expectations. That’s just how we work as humans. We will always overestimate in the desirable direction. It’s not deceitful, either. Our brain really does believe the estimate it gives itself.
By building a fudge factor into your learning goals, you will avoid the disappointment of never reaching your daily targets. Add a note here about how we feel almost as much pleasure planning on doing something as we actually get from doing the thing itself.
You sit down to begin. You’re motivated, full of energy and ready to go. I can guarantee that you won’t be feeling like this in a couple of hours, even after thirty minutes, this is sure to change. This is why it’s so important to be precise with your goals. Define exactly what you need to get done. The more specific your goals, the more likely you will see them through when your motivation wanes.
Be specific so you can’t give yourself any room to move. You might be motivated now, but two hours of essay writing is sure to change that.
Goal setting is an important part of learning. But it’s more than that. Being able to effectively set and persevere towards goals is arguably one of the biggest indicators of life success. We will talk more about goal setting in a later lesson.
Here are a few points to keep in mind when setting your learning goals
- Be specific – Say exactly what you want to do.
- Be measurable – You should be able to measure the progress towards your goal. Choose a variable you can use to measure.
- Create a deadline – give yourself an artificial deadline. This adds a sense of urgency to the process, which pushes you to keep moving even when your motivation falls
- Put a carrot at the end of the stick – Give yourself a reward after getting your work done. You must have something to look forward to.
- Begin with what’s important – Always start with what you need to get done first. Otherwise, your mind is distracted, knowing that this other task is hanging over your head.
This is where you apply some pressure to your memory.
Close your learning material and grab yourself a notebook. You’re going to summarise what you’ve just learnt in no more than five sentences. Five is your maximum.
This forces you to piece together your learning in a coherent mental narrative. It doesn’t matter if you come up with more blanks than a prop stage gun. The idea is to challenge your mind so that it’s primed when you begin your learning.
Finally, remember to take a break before you begin your summary. By allowing your short term memory to clear, you’re able to get accurate insight into your true recall of the material you’ve just skimmed.
Lesson Cards
Pre-reading
Card 1
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Key Idea
Take a break before you write down your “big five” summary.
Card 2
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Key Idea
A goal without a date is just a dream. … Remember to set a deadline on any goal you set, whether it’s for the next hour or year. -Milton H Erickson
Card 3
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Key Idea
Setting lofty goals feels good in the moment, but the outcome tells a different story. You end up deflated after failing to reach your goals. It also changes the way you view your learning. You come to see learning as a barrier in the way of your goal instead of something to enjoy and be curious about.
Card 4
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Key Idea
Under-promise and over-deliver when it comes to setting your study session goals. Unrealistic expectations create momentary pleasure. Avoid getting sucked in.
Card 5
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Key Idea
Use your learning material’s headings to help you create your mental foundation of the material.