David Myers - Make Things Memorable

Summary

David Meyers, a psychology author and professor, introduces effective learning strategies for better retention and grades. He debunks common study myths and emphasizes the 'testing effect,' where self-testing enhances learning. Meyers details the SQ3R study method—Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, and Review—as a structured approach to active learning. He also advises against cramming, promoting spaced repetition and varied study environments for long-term retention.

Takeaways

• 📚 Active Processing: The more actively you engage with the material, the better you will retain it.
• 🔍 Myths Debunked: Rereading chapters repeatedly, studying one topic at a time, and studying in the same place for long periods are not the best strategies for learning.
• 🧠 Testing Effect: Repeated self-testing and rehearsal of what you've learned is more effective than rereading for improving memory retention.
• 📈 Experiment Evidence: Studies by memory researchers like Henry Roediger and Mark McDaniel confirm the effectiveness of the testing effect.
• 📝 SQ3R Method: A five-step study method (Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review) that incorporates the testing effect to enhance learning.
• 👀 Survey First: Start by getting an overview of the material to understand the structure and organization before diving into the details.
• ❓ Ask Questions: Formulate questions before reading to set a purpose for learning and to stimulate retrieval practice.
• 📖 Active Reading: Engage with the text critically, ask questions, take notes, and relate the material to your own life.
• 🔄 Retrieve Information: After reading, pause and test yourself on the main ideas to reinforce learning through retrieval practice.
• 🔄 Review Regularly: Revisit the material and your notes to consolidate your understanding and improve long-term retention.
• 🗓️ Spaced Repetition: Distribute your study time and avoid cramming for better long-term memory retention.

Q & A

Who is David Meyers and what is his profession?

David Meyers is a psychology author and a professor at Hope College, where he specializes in teaching psychology.

What is the main purpose of the transcript provided?

The main purpose of the transcript is to provide strategies for improving memory retention and learning efficiency, particularly for academic purposes.

What is the testing effect in the context of learning and memory?

The testing effect, also known as retrieval practice or test-enhanced learning, is the phenomenon where actively recalling information strengthens memory retention.

What are the common misconceptions about studying that David Meyers addresses?

David Meyers addresses misconceptions such as the belief that rereading material is the best way to prepare for a test, that tests only assess learning, and that studying one topic at a time in the same place for long periods is effective.

What is the SQ3R study method and what does it stand for?

The SQ3R study method is a five-step process that stands for Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, and Review. It is designed to improve learning by actively engaging with the material.

What is the first step in the SQ3R method?

The first step in the SQ3R method is to Survey the material, which involves taking a broad view and understanding the structure of the chapter.

What is the role of questioning in the SQ3R method?

Questioning in the SQ3R method involves formulating questions before reading each section, which helps to set a purpose for reading and enhances the learning process.

How does the 'Read' step in the SQ3R method differ from passive reading?

The 'Read' step in the SQ3R method is active and critical, encouraging learners to ask questions, take notes, and make connections with their own life experiences.

What is the significance of the 'Retrieve' step in the SQ3R method?

The 'Retrieve' step is crucial as it involves actively recalling the main ideas from memory, which reinforces learning and engages the testing effect.

What advice does David Meyers give regarding the distribution of study time?

David Meyers advises against cramming and instead recommends distributing study time, using spaced repetition to enhance long-term memory retention.

How does the testing effect relate to the concept of spaced repetition?

The testing effect supports the concept of spaced repetition by showing that actively recalling information at intervals strengthens memory over time.

What is the final step in the SQ3R method and why is it important?

The final step in the SQ3R method is to Review the material, which helps consolidate learning and prepare for long-term retention.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Enhancing Memory Through Active Learning

David Meyers, a psychology author and Hope College professor, introduces the concept of making learning more memorable for better retention and potentially improved grades. He challenges common misconceptions about studying, such as the effectiveness of rereading and the purpose of tests. Meyers emphasizes the importance of active processing and rehearsal of information for better retention. He introduces the 'testing effect' or 'retrieval practice effect', which is supported by research and involves self-testing as a means to improve learning. Meyers also presents the SQ3R study method, which stands for Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, and Review, as a structured approach to active learning. He suggests that distributing study time, rather than cramming, leads to better long-term retention.

05:03

🤔 Reflecting on the Testing Effect

In the second paragraph, the script prompts the viewer to reflect on the concept of the 'testing effect'. It serves as a reminder to consider what the testing effect is and how it functions to enhance memory. This self-reflection step is crucial for reinforcing the idea that actively recalling information through testing is a powerful learning tool.

Keywords

💡Active Processing

Active processing refers to the engagement of the mind in actively working with the information, rather than passively receiving it. In the context of the video, active processing is crucial for better retention of information. For example, the script mentions that 'the more actively you process and rehearse information the better you will retain it,' emphasizing the importance of active engagement in the learning process.

💡Rereading

Rereading is the act of going over the same material multiple times to reinforce learning. However, the video script challenges the common belief that rereading is the best way to prepare for a test, suggesting that other methods like self-testing are more effective. The script states, 'that the best way to prepare for a test is to reread the chapter over and over' and then counters this with evidence from memory research.

💡Testing Effect

The testing effect, also known as retrieval practice or test-enhanced learning, is a psychological phenomenon where the act of recalling information from memory improves the retention of that information. The video explains this effect by citing an experiment where students 'retained those words much better if instead they spent the time repeatedly testing themselves on the words.' This concept is central to the video's theme of improving learning through active retrieval.

💡SQ3R Method

SQ3R is a study method that stands for Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, and Review. It is presented in the video as an effective way to enhance learning and memory. The script describes the steps of SQ3R and how they contribute to active learning, such as 'survey take a bird's eye view,' 'question before you read each main section,' and 'retrieve the main ideas.'

💡Memory Researchers

Memory researchers are experts in the field of psychology who study how memory works and how it can be improved. In the script, researchers like Henry Roediger and Mark McDaniel are mentioned for their contributions to the understanding of the testing effect and its role in enhancing learning.

💡Retrieval Practice

Retrieval practice is a learning technique where learners actively recall information from memory, which strengthens the neural connections associated with that information. The video script explains that 'repeated self-testing and rehearsal of what you've learned' is a form of retrieval practice that is more beneficial than simply rereading.

💡Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a learning technique where study sessions are spaced out over time, rather than crammed together. The video script advocates for this method, stating that 'distribute your study time' and 'spaced out your study time' are more effective for long-term retention than cramming.

💡Cramming

Cramming is the act of studying intensively in a short period before a test or exam, often as a last-minute effort. The video script warns against this practice, suggesting that it is less effective for long-term memory retention compared to spaced repetition and active learning techniques.

💡Learning Objectives

Learning objectives are the specific goals or outcomes that a learner aims to achieve through a learning activity. In the context of the SQ3R method, the script encourages learners to 'try to answer the learning objective question' before reading a section, which helps in setting a purpose for reading and engaging in active learning.

💡Critical Reading

Critical reading involves actively questioning and analyzing the material being read, rather than passively accepting it. The script mentions that learners should 'read actively and critically,' asking questions and making connections to their own life, which is a part of the active learning process.

💡Long-Term Retention

Long-term retention refers to the ability to remember information over extended periods, such as months or years. The video script emphasizes the importance of techniques like spaced repetition and testing effect for improving long-term retention, as opposed to short-term memorization through cramming.

Highlights

Actively processing and rehearsing information improves retention.

Rereading is not the most effective way to prepare for a test.

The purpose of tests is to assess what has been learned.

Repeated self-testing and rehearsal enhance learning, known as the testing effect.

The testing effect, or retrieval practice, is supported by memory research.

Experiments show that self-testing improves learning over restudying.

Testing is a method to improve learning, not just assess it.

Learning material is best retained when put into one's own words and retrieved.

The SQ3R study method incorporates survey, question, read, retrieve, and review steps.

Surveying a chapter helps in getting an overview before reading.

Questioning before reading aids in identifying gaps in knowledge.

Active reading involves searching for answers and making connections.

Retrieving main ideas after reading helps in rehearsal and self-testing.

Reviewing the chapter and notes consolidates learning.

Distributing study time over periods, known as spaced repetition, improves long-term retention.

Cramming is less effective than spaced study sessions.

Mental muscles, like physical ones, grow stronger with exercise.

Tests enhance learning by strengthening memory muscles.

Transcripts

hi I'm David Meyers psychology author

and hope college psychology professor

I'm here to help you learn how to make

things memorable so that you can learn

and remember more from your classes and

perhaps get better grades as well you

might want to pull out something to

write or type on because the first thing

you need to learn about learning is that

the more actively you process and

rehearse information the better you will

retain it let me ask you were you ever

told that the best way to prepare for a

test is to reread the chapter over and

again that the purpose of tests is

simply to assess what you've learned

that you should study but one topic at a

time in the same place for lengthy

periods if so and if you believe these

things you find yourself struggling to

remember all those new concepts in your

courses well don't despair there are

more effective ways to learn here are

some strategies that if put to work in

your own studies will help you better

retain what you're learning the big idea

which has now been confirmed in lots of

experiments by memory researchers like

Henry roediger and mark McDaniel is this

to submit new learning in your mind what

helps more than rereading is repeated

self testing and rehearsal of what

you've learned the memory searchers call

this the testing effect we also

sometimes call it the retrieval practice

effect or test enhanced learning so for

example in one experiment jeffrey

karpicke Henry wrote agar and students

learn forty Swahili words some of them

kept re studying the words others retain

those words much better if instead they

spent the time repeatedly testing

themselves on the words and so the

principle here is that testing is not

just a way to assess learning it's also

a way to improve learning we learn and

remember material best and we put it in

our own words when we rehearse it and

then retrieve it and that's the testing

effect and it's a phenomenon that I

built into my text through the sq3r

study method sq3r refers to its five

steps s for survey Q for question and

then the 3 R's read retrieve review so

the study a chapter first survey take a

bird's eye view scan the headings notice

the chapter organization next question

before you read each main section try to

answer the learning objective question I

posed at the beginning you probably

won't be able to answer but that's fine

trying and failing to retrieve the

answer is actually quite helpful to

learning those who test their

understanding before they read and

discover what they don't know often

learn better next read actively search

for the questions answer read actively

and critically ask questions take notes

make the ideas your own they ask how

they relate to your life then having

read retrieve the main ideas

periodically pause in your reading and

rehearse what you just read ask yourself

yes

test yourself repeatedly to help you do

this in my books I offer periodic

retrieval practice opportunities

throughout each chapter with each one of

these you can rehearse what you've

learned and you can check your answers

and reread as needed if you struggle a

bit that's fine a certain level of

difficulty or challenge is desirable

it's better than questions that are too

easy for you or impossibly hard

and then finally the last hour review

read over the chapter organization and

your notes also one other thing it

really helps if you distribute your

study time don't cram if you want to

remember for five minutes well you can

just repeat something over and over but

if you want to remember for five months

or five years then study and test

yourself off and on every week or so

spaced out your study time do it in

different places okay let's put the

testing effect to work you might want to

pause and ask yourself what is the

testing effect and how does it work the

testing effect is the fact that

recalling the answer we call retrieval

practice boosts memory for example at

test time and let me ask you another

question what are the steps of sq3r do

you remember the sq3r steps our survey

question read retrieve review

so in summary test test test take

advantage of self testing and self

checking opportunities second be active

in your learning put things in your own

words connect new ideas with important

things in your life

third distribute your study time space

study least a much better retention than

does cramming now I know I know some

people learn and remember more easily

than others just as some people

naturally are faster or stronger but for

all of us muscles grow stronger with

exercise and so do our mental muscles

thus the good news is that tests enhance

learning is one way in which you can

strengthen your memory muscles now just

ask yourself one last time what is a

testing effect