Summary of How to use Anki like a PRO (by a Learning Expert)
Main Ideas and Concepts
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Understanding Flashcards:
- Flashcards are a tool for Active Retrieval, spacing repetitions, and Micro-Learning.
- They are effective for memorization but have limitations, especially for higher-order learning.
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Benefits of Flashcards:
- Active Retrieval: Engaging with Flashcards helps reinforce memory retention.
- Spaced Repetition: Flashcards facilitate spaced learning, allowing for better recall over time.
- Micro-Learning: Short, concentrated study sessions can be effective for learning in brief moments throughout the day.
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Limitations of Flashcards:
- Surface-Level Learning: Flashcards often focus on direct recall rather than understanding complex relationships between concepts.
- Overwhelm: Using too many Flashcards can lead to cognitive overload and inefficient studying.
- Repetitive Memorization: Over-reliance on Flashcards can lead to memorizing the card rather than the underlying knowledge.
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Effective Flashcard Strategy:
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Three-Part Study Sessions:
- Targeted Review: Focus on Flashcards you struggled with, spending time to build connections and deepen understanding.
- Consolidation and Preparation: Review and encode new material, creating Flashcards for concepts you might forget.
- Preview: Familiarize yourself with upcoming material to prevent forgetting and ease future learning.
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Three-Part Study Sessions:
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Creating Higher-Order Questions:
- Combine related Flashcards into more complex questions that test understanding of relationships between concepts.
Methodology for Using Flashcards Effectively
- Long Study Sessions:
- Divide into three parts:
- Targeted Review: Focus on incorrect Flashcards; spend 5-10 minutes per card to deepen understanding.
- Consolidation and Preparation: Review new material and create Flashcards for concepts you might forget.
- Preview: Familiarize yourself with upcoming topics to enhance retention.
- Divide into three parts:
- Flashcard Management:
- Track Flashcards you get correct three times in a row and those you get wrong three times in a row.
- Merge and upgrade correct Flashcards into Higher-Order Questions that test interrelated concepts.
Conclusion
By applying these strategies, Flashcards can become a more powerful learning tool, enhancing understanding and retention while reducing overwhelm.
Speakers/Sources Featured
- Dr. Justin Sung, Learning Coach and Researcher at I Can Study, Former Medical Doctor.
Notable Quotes
— 03:21 — « Honestly, the person that invented the digital lateness system is a genius. »
— 07:35 — « Yes, a screwdriver can be really good at what it does and you can love using your screwdriver for tightening a screw... but it doesn't mean that it magically solves every possible need that you have when you're building a house. »
— 10:22 — « As a rule of thumb, if I see a student using flashcards for almost all of their learning and they end up with hundreds or even thousands of them, I know that they're probably doing more harm than good. »
Category
Educational