KSS eKourier July 2022

TRAINING

10 STEPS TO BECOME A BETTER LEARNER Knowing the most effective strategies for how to learn can help you maximise your efforts when you are trying to learn new ideas, concepts and skills. If you are like me, your time is limited, so it is important to get the most value out of the time you have.

S peed of learning is not the only important factor however. It is important to be able to accurately remember the information that you learn, recall it at a later time, and use it effectively in a wide variety of situations. Knowing how to learn well is not something that happens overnight, but putting a few of these learning techniques into daily practice can help you get more out of your learning. 1 Improve Your Memory There are a number of different strategies that can boost memory. Basic tips such as improving your focus is a good place to start. There are more lessons from psychology that can dramatically improve our learning efficiency. - Spending time socialising with other people. - Getting enough sleep. - Eliminating distractions so you can focus on what you are learning. - Organising the information you are learning to make it easier to remember. - Using elaborative rehearsal when studying; when you learn something Strategies that can help improve your memory include:

new, spend a few moments describing it to yourself in your own words. - Using visual aids like photographs, graphs, and charts. - Read the information you are learning out loud. - Getting regular physical exercise, which is linked to improvements in memory and brain health. For example, you might use general learning techniques like setting aside quiet time to learn, rehearsing, and reading information aloud. You might combine this with strategies that can foster better memory, such as exercising and socializing. 2 Keep Learning New Things One sure-fire way to become a more effective learner is to simply keep learning. Research has found that the brain is capable of producing new brain cells, a process known as neurogen- esis. However, many of these cells will eventually die unless a person engages in some type of meaning learning. So, if you are learning a skill it is important to keep practicing in order to maintain the gains you have achieved. This "use-it-or-lose-it" phenomenon involves a brain process known as "pruning." In pruning, certain pathways

in the brain are maintained, while others are eliminated. If you want the new information you just learned to stay put, keep practicing and rehearsing it. 3 Learn in Multiple Ways Another one of the best ways to learn is to focus on learning in more than one way. For example, instead of just listening to a podcast, which involves auditory learning, find a way to rehearse the information both verbally and visually. This might involve describing what you learned to a friend, taking notes, or drawing a mind map. By learning in more than one way, you’re further cementing the knowledge in your own mind. on a laptop, tablet, or computer. Research has found that longhand notes can help cement information in memory more effectively than digital note-taking. 4 Teach What You Are Learning Educators have long noted that one of the best ways to learn One helpful tip is to try writing out your notes on paper rather than typing

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18 Kennards Kourier July 2022