Practice Reinforces and Confirms that you
Understand and Remember what you have learned
Because you have studied, memorized, and can recall,
Doesn’t mean you have really learned!
Professor Richard Feynman on Learning
The famous theoretical Physicist, and Nobel Prize winner, Professor Richard Feynman, explains why, in his humorous autobiographical recollections – ‘Surely You’re Joking Mr Feynman’
During a year’s sabbatical from Cornell University he taught in Brazil. There he discovered that the students had memorized their textbooks from cover to cover, and could answer any question relating to their studies. But when he asked them to explain something about the real world beyond the university’s walls, that used their memorized studies, they could not answer. They had never made the connection between theory and practice, between theory and reality. Their studies had not translated into real understanding – in a sense they had learned nothing of value.
As Richard Feynman said, “So, you see, they could pass the examinations, and ‘learn’ all this stuff, and not know anything at all, except what they had memorized.’
Another rule for students: as you study always try to understand, and apply what you are learning to the real world around you. This is Learning through Practice.
This connection between study and the real world also develops many associations or connections - resonances - that enhances memory and recall, and avoids memory blocks.
Dr H. Roediger, an internationally recognized scholar of human memory function, from Washington State University, has also pointed out that repeated test taking is better for retention than just repeated studying. Self-testing is a key to learning more in less time. He says, 'Students who self-test frequently while studying on their own may be able to learn more, in much less time, than they might by simply studying the material over and over again.' This is one way of applying Richard Feynman's rule, and is a key element in the four-stage study plan in the Study Guide..
Relate your work to the real world: In a recent article in the Royal Gazette (Sept 06) it said, It is always easier to remember things that you care about and feel are important, so finding a way to enjoy the topic you are studying is bound to make it easier. One way to do that is to relate your knowledge to the real world - what are the rocks on the beach made from? Open plants and look at the seeds - how and why are they different? The Study Guide shows why it is important to get emotionally involved with your study and learning - it boosts the energy of your memory.
Updated May 2008
Scroll to the bottom of this page for the index and link to all the other pages in this web.
How to Learn Faster, and Remember More. Energy, Pattern, and Resonance are the Keys to Memory, and Accelerated Learning. The Accelerated Learning Study Guide. Find out about the author of this program of Accelerated Learning. Order your copy of the Guide to Accelerated Learning. Should you listen to music while you study?
Page Seven: The sleep you get each night is very important for your brain development, and memory – see what medical experts have to say.
Page Eight: Making use of the knowledge you memorize is part of the learning and understanding process. See what the Nobel Prize winning Physicist, Professor Richard Feynman, has to say about his experience.
Page Nine: Some students have trouble working with numbers, which are the basis of mathematics. The numbers game, NUMERO, has proved a winner worldwide in helping people think faster with numbers.
Page Ten: Want a photographic memory?. This page explains how you can improve yours.
Page Eleven: A Memory Pill? Food for Thought - dietary supplements that can boost brain power and memory.
Page Twelve: READING - Fluent reading is essential for Accelerated Learning Education - Poor Reading explained with exercises to overcome the Problem.
Page Thirteen: STRESS - Its affect on Memory: How stress helps or hinders memory and examinations.
Page Fourteen: JOB SEARCH - CAREER PLANNING - What to consider when planning a career and its future prospects.
A Look inside the Study Guide:
Pages – 15 to 20 – are six ‘windows’ into the Study Guide, how and why it works.
Page Fifteen: Window One: Memory by Energy & Resonance
Page Sixteen: Window Two: Brain, Mind & Memory – a ‘Learning Machine’
: Window Three: Mind Maps & Memory Patterns.
Twenty One: News Archive
Page Twenty Two: to Training within Industry – Workplace Training – Vocational Training
Page Twenty Three: Truth & Memory - treat everything you see and hear with a healthy scepticism.
Page Twenty Four: Drugs & Memory - Prescription & recreational drugs.
Page Twenty Five: Violence: A growing problem in schools. Violence is Learned Behaviour. Video games and TV can teach violence.
Page Twenty Six: The Evolution of Scientific Thought:
Page Twenty Seven: An e-book on Understanding & Managing Stress
Links Page: Shared links between websites that have common goals and