You should render the material to be learnt meaningful, if you want to make learning effective. Look at the four sets of words in the following columns :
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1 2 3 4
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MSOU PEN CROW RAJU
WKPG CAMEL PARROT MARRIED
FLPNNY COAL KITE USHA
RBAGYE PEAK DOVE YESTERDAY
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If you try to learn the words in the four columns and try to remember them, you will find that the first column is a real challenge to anyone, since they are nonsense syllables. The second column seems easy, since the words have some meaning. The third column is easier, as the names are from the same family. The fourth is of course is the easiest. By just glancing it once, you will be able to repeat the words, as they represent a simple idea.
Many of us often fail to master certain lessons, since the words do not convey a clear idea into our minds. The learning process involves getting at the meaning of the words and the idea they convey. Perhaps we may be able to make the idea an extension of something we know already. In fact, good teaching attempts such conversion of the text into intelligible ideas before the pupils.
The family Chinese philosopher Confucius (BC 551 - 449) said, ” I hear i forget, I see I remember, I do I understand”. Some of the modern psychologists tell that we remeber
20% of what we read
30% of what we hear
40% of what we see
50% of what we say
60% of what we do
90% of what we read, hear, say, and do.
Any learning attempts to retain something in our memory; so we have to keep in mind the use of multiple methods.
There has been to be motivation for any learning. You should remember the benefits that come to you as a consequence of learning. This feeling would be a motivating influence that propels you in your learning efforts.
