A Revolution in Learning- The Active Recall Method

Efficiency or Productivity are not terms that take hours to define. These two words just mean- ‘more work in less time’ and considering the amount of interest you take into the same as learning with interest is the foundation of understanding without which learning is not legit.

Efficient learning is a tool that will help you unravel new realms considering the ability and the capability of your amazing mind. It helps you realise what you can actually do compared to what you are presently doing.

All of our brains are the same, what we make of it is the most important.

Furthermore, you don’t need to be a master to learn these efficient learning techniques, they are super-easy and just require discipline, that’s all.

Let’s jump into what this article is about. There is this technique called the Active Recall technique which helps us learn more efficiently and therfore save time for leisure activities.

Before we learn more about it, you need to remember that anything related to learning deals with psychology. Any method like this is devised through conclusions, conclusions are made through observations, observations are made through tests or surveys. So that makes us say, “A group of psychologists conducted surveys and came to conclusions thereby devising this new study method” That is absolutely true…

Active Recall has been devised after conducting innumerable studies and surveys which conclude that Active Recall is the best bet for efficient learning.

You basically retrieve information from your brain in this technique. Simple but effective. Let’s think of it as an ATM. You withdraw money from it regularly to avoid you pockets becoming shallow. This makes you always have some money with you. If you keep retrieving information, recalling it, you be able to retain knowledge for a longer period of time, like you always have some money with you when using the ATM.

Let me describe the whole process of Active Recall:

Let’s say you need to learn the chapter: Energy, in Physics.
This is how you should go about it.

1. Read the chapter nicely, avoiding distractions.
2. Once you are done, write each and every question you can from the chapter.
3. Once you are done, on a diary, note down that you studied ‘Energy’ on this date.
4. When you are in the revision phase of studying, open the page where you wrote, or typed all the questions.
5. Try to answer all questions yourself.
6. Grade yourself based on how well you performed.
7. If you performed well, great job! If you didn’t, then ask yourself the questions again and again until you are able to revise all concepts.

That’s what is Active Recall, a wonderful way in which you can revise everything in an efficient manner.

Wanna know how you can actively recall? The best way is to use Flashcards…

Flashcards are basically small cards which have the question on one side and the answer on another. They are actually fun to use and quite interesting. You can either make physical flashcards or use online apps. Though I prefer using the hard copies.

Here are three apps which are the best for flashcard-based learning:

1. Quizlet

Quizlet is a website as well as an app which has an amazing UI which helps you study in different techniques. It makes you learn things fast and grades you on the same.

2. Brainscape

Brainscape is much similar to Quizlet but is more animated, in the sense it shows you a learnometer or that’s what you call it; which calculates your confidence. It’s UI is good but Quizlet is the best in that matter.

3. Anki
Anki is much different from the other two apps I mentioned. The UI is okay but the functionality is amazing. It is well-organized and on top of it, tells you how well you know it on the basis of the amount of time for which you could recall or retain knowledge.

Lastly, if you are comfortable with your study method, please continue. This is just a more efficient method with is analysis-based as well as interesting to perform, which will help you become more considerate of things apart from studying!