When we talk about education, we are talking about how students of all ages can learn effectively.
Albert Einstein said, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”
It’s never too late to train your mind, and it’s never too late to learn. Kendra Cherry of Verywell Mind offers 10 suggestions on how to train your mind to learn more effectively for efficiency in the present moment and longevity of knowledge in years to come.
- Focus on improving your memory: Structure study time, and find a quiet place to learn where you can read the information aloud. Physical and social wellness practices also fosters better memory!
- Keep learning new things: The brain can continue to produce new cells, but these cells can die when unengaged. “Use-it-or-lose-it” actually describes this phenomenon in our brains called “pruning.”
- Lean multiple ways: Auditory, verbal and visual learning can all be used to understand one topic. Listen to a podcast, take notes, and then describe what you learned to a friend.
- Teach what you are learning: Write a blog post, create a podcast or participate in a group discussion. Think back to times you have taught others — how well do you remember that content?
- Build on previous learning: Relational learning means relating new information to what you already know — this is a great way to learn more effectively!
- Gain practical experience: Put your new knowledge/skills into practice. When learning a new language, practice speaking with others, and watch films in that language.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: A great way to foster critical thinking and make you more adaptable, making mistakes followed by corrective feedback is a beneficial way to learn!
- Practiced distributed learning: Try multiple short, focused sessions with breaks as opposed to a few long study sessions.
- Take tests: The testing effect suggests that spending time retrieving information from memory improves the long-term memory of that information.
- Stop multitasking: Multitasking can make learning less effective by decreasing productivity, impairing attention and reducing comprehension.
John Holt said, “Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners.”
We hope you are encouraged to practice some of these tips and form habits that help you to learn more effectively.
