Memorizing tables is hard. Fortunately, there are not many people that need to memorize many tables and not many tables that most of us need. There are some adaptations for regular mental structures and some specific memory structures which work best with tables. Please consider the pros and cons of each approach. Tables of contents …
More is less: add details to FACILITATE memorization
Many of my students try to remember a “marker” of just one word. This is a hard and counterproductive exercise. A word without any context is abstract. Remembering a chunk of multiple words in the same context is actually an easier task. In some sense the “random words” exercise is much harder than remembering actual …
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Search vs discovery vs ChatGPT
If we want to research something online we have at least three distinct strategies. In search strategy, we formulate keywords and read the documents that matter. When we rely on discovery we go to the sources with authority and interest in the subject area, hoping to stumble upon some relevant texts. Using large language models …
Academic learning transforms us into autodidacts
Academic learning transforms us into autodidacts: Most of our knowledge comes from a combination of experience and information. The most appealing quality of information is its availability. However, we measure our lives in experiences. More reading materials available here, here, here, here, here and here. What is an autodidact Definition of autodidact is an individual …
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Visual Memory: Real Life Comics Heroes
Visual memory is much more than images that remind us of past events. They are our main tools to remember the past and predict the future. Our emotions, our physical wellbeing and our identity as human beings are also visual memories. Today you can read a lot. Read as much as you can here, here, …
Formal training and informal training
Do you need a professor with a syllabus or a coach with a keen eye? Which will provide a higher return on investment? Will you actually enjoy the training and what will you accomplish? Modern students have many great choices to make, and each choice can be very expensive. What is formal training Formal training …
Success at school: grades and cultural bias
There are basically two ways of defining school success. One can have high grades or a set of diverse achievements. Which is better? This is not a trivial question if we want to prepare a child for every challenge life is going to present. Let us consider the options. My own childhood experience When I …
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Accelerated learning misconceptions
What does common sense say about accelerated learning that is actually wrong? Quite a lot actually. Scientific research answers specific questions and can be misunderstood. There are so many gurus of accelerate learning out there, yet I have never seen someone as good as Anna. Why? What are the main misconceptions, and how can they …
Giordano Bruno, “The arts of memory”
We try to decipher the codes of Giordano Bruno, and especially the arts of memory presented in his books. Somehow he managed to combine in one text quite a lot: PAO-like visual cues, healing visualization, geometric formulas, almost kabbalistic text manipulations and mystical practice now lost. I will not try to analyze the original texts, …
The birth and the death of the great cities
We live in one of the ages of great cities, and yet for me, it feels like this particular age is nearing a conclusion. If I am correct in my assessment, this means a lot of questions, opportunities, and possible threats. If I am wrong, this is still an interesting question to discuss. Why does …
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