Visualization, memory, reading and research skills
We ask similar questions after each time we preread or read the text. The questions can be divided into questions building our curiosity so we can focus on the text and questions we asked in order to ensure we understood the text properly. This post mainly deals with questions of the second kind. If we …
Does learning more generate better outcome? This is a common question I am asked. For example here: JS: What are reasonable Speed-Reading goals? Hello. I started going through the course materials just over a week ago and I set an initial specific goal of reading 2000 wpm by April of this year (about 6 weeks …
Continue reading “Law of diminishing returns when training your brain”
Most of our students who are programmers use Java. This lecture is for them, and not only for them. Many students ask how to use our methods for programming. Actually we took many of the programming methodology and used it in wider context – so using it in original context will be easy. Let us …
Continue reading “Quick tips for object oriented programming”
Some of our students think too much about how they do things. This reminds me an old story: A spider met a centipede while hurrying down the street, “How do you move at such a speed, with all so many feet?” “I do not have to contemplate to keep them all in line, But if …
Many scientific discoveries have been found through luck and attention to details. Probably 80% of debugging any programmist performs involves attention to details. Good user interface and graphical design require immense attention to details. Ability to observe minor changes and make good and quick decision is important in all human endeavors I can think of, …
Mental models are very useful for problem solving. Put simply, mental models are the set of tools that you use to think. Each mental model offers a different framework that you can use to look at life (or at an individual problem). Consider a toolbox: for every task there is a tool best suited for …
There is little point in reading fast unless you read a lot. Getting sucked into reading is simple and has to do with pleasure: Read the books that you enjoy reading. Enjoy the thought of reading the next book. Generate a list of stuff you would LOVE to read. Dive into reading for fun. Take …
Many of our students read one thing while thinking about something else. This discrepancy is known as consciousness and attention dissociation and is counter-effective. For example, if you try to generate markers and worry about the quality of your markers at the same time, your attention is focused on the text, but your consciousness is …
Not every part of a sentence is equally important. When you are prereading/skimming text you need to understand what you are looking for. Is it an event, a definition or a feel? Accordingly you can easily summarize long texts into 1/4 of their original length. The summary words will form the basis of your markers. …
Continue reading “Prereading sentences: grammar and meaning”
Some of our students wonder regarding nature vs nurture controversy. The subject is very much open. See for example this nice article or these inspiring quotes. I will try to share some of my own experience. Back in 2008 came this amazing book which claimed to determine some of the factors that contribute to high …
Learn new tactics for speed reading and memory and get access to free apps to practice and develop your new skills