Thursday, December 14, 2006

Easy Technique To Learn Any Subject Better


Introduction:

Do you want to know about a technique which can help you in learning things faster and better? You can use the “teaching technique” in order to learn better.

When you read something, or whenever you are trying to learn about any topic or subject, you can get a better grasp of the subject by teaching it to somebody.


The Technique:
Whatever you have read and understood, try teaching it to somebody. This will help to make the subject more clear in your own mind.

For example - suppose you have been reading a chapter in physics - after reading for half an hour, close down the book and then teach what you have learnt to somebody else which will make the subject more clear in your own mind.

Now lets say that you are in the middle of reading some important topic, and you want the topic to be firmly driven in your brain by teaching it to somebody, but the problem is that there is nobody interested to whom you can teach the subject. What would you do in such a scenario - would you go out on the street and catch hold of somebody and force him or her to listen to you??

If there is no one present who is willing to listen to your lecture then instead of teaching to humans you can try teaching to your pet cat, or teach to the door, the curtains, the wall, the book in front of you, or try teaching to your computer screen. Speak out loud on the subject, make gestures as if you are really teaching. You can also imagine that you are a teacher and teaching to a large group of interested students.

Does this all sound very silly to you? Remember that the important thing is not whom you are teaching to, the important thing is to go through the motions of teaching. Keep doing it even though you may find it silly in the beginning.


Advantages of the technique:
What happens when you go through the motions of teaching? Here are the benefits of using this “teaching technique”:

1. You repeat what you have just learnt which helps in remembering the information.

2. You put the information in your own words which will help in clearing up any confusions that you might have on the subject, the subject matter will become more firmly etched in your mind.

3. You will be organising the information you just studied in your head.

4. You may also notice that there are some points which you did not understand as perfectly as you thought you did. You can note down which points you did not fully understand, then re-read about those points to get better understanding.

5. While teaching you may get new thoughts and ideas on the subject. If that happens stop the teaching for a few moments and note down the ideas that have come to you.

So you see, it does not matter whom you are teaching to - whether it is to humans, animals or to the walls of your house - just going through the motions of teaching, trying to explain the subject as clearly as possible in your own words - will help you in grasping the information more firmly and in remembering it.


Alternatives:
If you feel silly or embarrassed doing this technique, you may try the following alternatives :

1. Instead of actually getting up and teaching, just imagine doing it in your mind.

2. Instead of teaching, you can also write down what you have learnt in an organized manner as if you are trying to write a chapter on the subject which you have just studied. This can also help.

For more resources to improve memory and learn better, check out - Improved memory for better marks




More Articles:
1. Develop Good Study Habits
2. Better way to read textbooks
3. Tips to develop concentration
4. Developing Interest in any subject
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