Note taking and study groups

Does superlearning supersede note-taking and study groups? Not sure. Here are some thoughts about it.

Note-taking is the most conservative learning method I know. A student seats somewhere int the middle of the room and summarizes everything the teacher says in his notebook. Handwriting works better than typing, since it includes muscle memory, generates more distinct pages and allows better visualization on margins. Some students also add color marking and review the notes after each session. Then, before the exam, the student reads everything from the notebook and can pass the exam without fear – since what the teacher said is exactly what will appear on the exam. The last 10 min of each lecture is the most important. The notebook stays in storage for ~10 years after graduation and then passes to paper waste recycling.

Study groups is the alternative method. Students compare with each other their notes or notes taken by students that actually came to the lectures. The controversial issues are thoroughly discussed and compared with the books in the local library. If the group is diversified enough, every student helps with the subject that comes naturally for that student. Some students become moderators, time-keepers, idea generators and take other important roles. Each student gets to see different styles of handling the same challenges and a better understanding of what makes him different. Study groups prepare the students for meetings at the workplace and initiate professional connections. Videoconferencing occasionally replaces more traditional face-to-face study, but nothing to replace the true comradery of a good study group.

Being a superlearner you are somewhat different from other group members, and your role changes. With speedreading you no longer need to come to the lectures and take notes – since you can learn from actual books. With memorization you become a sort of living memory in any study group – you remember everything the group discusses and you can help on any subject the group addresses. However, some messages are not verbal. If you do not come to the lectures – how will you absorb from your teachers? And you do need to work well with others in the workgroup, or you will not be invited to participate.

As always, you need to find your own balance between different learning styles. Between learning from books, attending lectures and taking notes, study group and training exercises you should enjoy from all the learning modalities because superlearning has to do with fun – visualization and creativity.