Learning is a very important part of life. No one knows everything but we gain new knowledge every single day. Gaining new information helps better our lives in one way or another and learning effectively helps us to reap maximum benefits.
What is learning how to learn?
“Learning how to learn” term used to define various learning techniques, mind tricks and other simple methods, so we can learn fast, better and effectively in any discipline like art, literature, math, science, sports, social skills, management etc. Learning techniques are considered an essential part for extracting data from such multisensory combination information.
In learning how to learn, we will look at all the ways that we can learn faster and more effectively by understanding new information, remembering it later, and utilizing it in a wide variety of situations in life. There are free learning how to learn Coursera courses where this topic has been covered in detail. There are also learning how to understand books that expound on this topic.
Knowledge is power and the more you learn, the more you’re equipped to deal with situations in life. However, learning how to learn is just as important because the skill will help you understand, internalize and retain information.
How to study tips that can help us learn better include:
- Active listening – Listening to understand.
- Paying attention to the information being taught.
- Asking questions to clarify points.
- Visualize concepts – Pictures help us remember information better.
- Practice – Practicing what you have been taught helps to retain the information and become better at it.
Smarter Study Tips & Techniques:
1. Choose a good studying environment
You should pick a studying environment that has no distractions such as loud noise. Put your phone on silent mode and avoid checking social media if it’s not related to your topic of study.
2. Use the SQ3R method
This method of studying helps learners to retain important information and facts.
Survey – Begin by skimming through the book and writing down headings, subheadings, images, and other features that may be important.
Question – Formulate questions on the specific topic you want to cover by looking at what you need to know and what you already know about the subject.
Read – Read the whole chapter and ensure you understand the information being taught. Look for the answers to the questions you had formulated earlier and ensure you internalize the information instead of cramming.
3. Study in a group
Studying with classmates or friends allows you to be engaged throughout the session. You get the chance to test your understanding of the subject through quizzing each other.
4. Make short notes
Make studying easier by taking brief and concise notes. Note down key words, charts, headings and summarize important information. This will help you remember the topics and chapters better.
5. Read out loud and teach others
According to a research published in 2017, reading materials out loud improves memory of the information. Psychologists have also said, when students teach new concepts to others, it improves their understanding and memory of the information.
6. Start studying months or weeks before exams
You should start studying months before an exam instead of trying to cram everything a day before exams. This helps your brain to build upon the knowledge that you will use later. After learning the materials in class, review the notes as often as possible in order to internalize the information.
7. Use the Mind Mapping Technique
This technique allows you to visually organize important information in a diagram format. You do this by writing the main concept down and connecting other related keywords and ideas using branches. Mind mapping ideas helps to increase your memory retention and also enables you to see the whole picture and relationships between concepts.
8. Take short breaks
9. Exercise before studying
Exercising before opening your books makes you stay more alert, open and able to learn new information. Scientific studies say our brains get a boost after exercising because the blood and nutrients are being pumped to the brain.
Free online courses for learning how to learn:
1. Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects.
This course teaches about how the brain receives and retains new information through learning, how to prevent procrastination and how we can improve our memory.
- Knowledge obtained upon course completion
- How the brain uses two different learning modes.
- Illusions of learning.
- How to prevent procrastination.
- Memory techniques.
Domain: Self-Improvement.
Duration: 4 weeks.
2. Learning How to Learn for Youths
This course will help you get new skills, change your way of thinking and improve your life. It will also teach you the different yet effective techniques people in different fields and industries use to learn new things.
- Knowledge obtained upon course completion
- Importance of letting your mind wander during learning
- Importance of Metaphors in learning
- How to stop procrastination
- Ways to think outside the box
Domain: Self-Improvement
Duration: 3 weeks. 4 to 5 hours every week.
3. Learning how to learn
This course delves deeper into how you can actively learn by applying various techniques to make it more effective.
- Knowledge obtained upon course completion.
- Smart activities to incorporate when learning.
Domain: Educational Development
Duration: 6 hours
4. How to Learn Online
This course shares tips and tricks of improving your online learning experience. This is very important for most people since many people shifted to online learning at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Knowledge obtained upon course completion
- Skills needed for online learning.
- Benefits of online learning.
- Effective technological teaching methods.
Domain: Learning Online.
Duration: 2 weeks, 3 hours per week.
5. Learning online: Communicating and Collaborating
This course helps learners to develop the skills necessary to effectively learn online. It also teaches students how to communicate effectively in an online learning environment.
- Knowledge obtained upon course completion.
- Effective communication in an online environment.
- Skills needed to study online effectively.
Domain: Learning Online.
Duration: 2 weeks, 2 hours of studying weekly.
Pretty much every move we make is the consequence of past adapting yet, for certain individuals, learning actually stays an action embraced in, or related with, an instructive setting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Synchronous learning implies that you, your classmates, and your educator collaborate with each other in a specific virtual spot at a set time for learning to take place. It happens in real time. Here an individual participant’s distance doesn’t matter, as it is a kind of live online meeting of teacher and students.
What is asynchronous learning?
Asynchronous learning allows students to learn at their suitable time, within a specific timeframe. Here the instructor or program provides materials for viewing, reading, and other assignment materials. Students can access, read, watch and complete lectures, assignments, readings, homework, and other learning materials at any given timeframe or deadline. In other words, it is online learning with self-guided lesson modules.