Constant Retrieval

8 Tips for Thinking & Learning #8

This advice comes from the excellent book, Pragmatic Thinking & Learning by Andy Hunt.

If there any point that Andy Hunt makes repeatedly throughout his book, it's that every "read" of your memory is also a "write". In other words, your memory changes every time you use it. It will be filtered through whatever is going on with your brain at the time you remember something. This is a good reason to exercise constant retrieval of everything you learn. The more you remember something, the stronger you will remember it. The more "links" your brain will build to this information.

When you make a mind map, redraw after you are done incorporating all that you have learned. This process will force you to remember why you put everything where you put it and will force you to reexamine your model and reorganize of necessary. Most importantly, it will strengthen the understanding within your brain.

Here's another tip for constant retrieval, use flash cards. They are popular for a reason. You can take them anywhere for review. By reinforcing what you have learned, you have ensured that your brain will have stronger memories.

There are websites that let you create flash cards for review online. You can reread material again if it doesn't seem fresh. You can write an article for a blog. You can edit what you have written to your Personal Wiki. Any activity that forces you to reconsider what you have learned helps in the learning process. You aren't trying to learn for the short term, you're going for a real expansion of your knowledge.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I have barely touched on the advice offered within. Kudos to Andy Hunt.