Hint, Hint, Teach, Try again

When working in pairs or teams you can use this technique to avoid correcting the speaker immediately. 

When the speaker gets a question/concept incorrect:

  • Give a hint (a clue) - gives them time to retrieve the correct information

  • If they still get it incorrect, give a second hint  - gives them time to retrieve the correct information

  • If still incorrect, teach them the concept  - gives you a chance to embed your knowledge

  • Finally, they need to try and answer the question again  - gives them an opportunity to embed knowledge

Feynman Technique

"There’s no miracle people. It just happens they got interested in this thing and they learned all this stuff. There’s just people.” – Richard Feynman - source

His Technique:

  1. Choose a concept and make some notes

  2. Teach it to someone else. Use your notes if needed - you will find the holes in your knowledge

  3. Revise what you have done  - you will deepen your knowledge and is active revision

  4. Simplify it  - makes it easy to recall and enables true understanding

  5. I would then reteach to make sure it is "locked in"

Leitner Technique

The Leitner System is based on the principle of spaced repetition. By reviewing and actively recalling information repeatedly over a length of time information is more likely to move into long term memory than if we attempt to cram before an exam. 

The Leitner system uses flashcards or online flashcards (for example www.brainscape.com) , which you look at regularly, checking on the accuracy of your responses before moving them on to the next stack or box.

More information on how to use this is here - https://universitycollege.okstate.edu/lasso/site_files/documents/leitner_method.pdf 

Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a highly effective time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses a kitchen timer to break work into intervals, typically 25-30 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. 

Using this technique allows you to:

  • Chunk your work into manageable amounts

  • See the progress you are making during a study session

  • Ensure that you are working smart

There are lots of apps and websites that support the Pomodoro technique including Pomofocus.io and Flora, or you could use a template like the one provided here to structure your study sessions.

Prioritisation Matrix

It is essential to plan your time

Ensure that you chunk down your time and priorities what you need to be doing. You can see all our advice about this on the main page. However, here is a technique that just might help you (and perhaps well beyond revision)  Try using a priority matrix. By ensuring that you work out what needs to be done and when, you can use your time more effectively. You may want to use this with a habit checker to make help you reach your goals

Add some sound

Some people learn better through Audio means. There are many ways you can facilitate this. You could:

  1. Record your notes and listen to them whilst going for a walk/jog or doing a mundane task at home

  2. You can make them into a Podcast. Mr Buckley found this great AI tool, that will take your notes and create a podcast

  3. Make a topic into a song or rap. For some this may be a joyous activity, for others slightly harder, in which case let AI help you

Journalling

Journalling is healthy habit to get into in all aspects of life but it can also be a very effective way of ensuring that the revision that you are doing is truly effective. For example, if you are using the Pomodoro technique to chunk your work, at the end of the day it is worth evaluating how efficient you have been? From this you can gauge whether your study intervals and breaks are too long/short.

Furthermore, following an exam or practice exam, journalling allows you to review what went well and what can be improved for the next time. Correcting past exam papers and using the Marking Schemes provided allow you to (i) ensure that you know what the exam board truly requires in your answers (ii) document mistakes for future revision.

Other ideas

There are many techniques, but the key is to experiment and find what works for you.  Also, (as stated above) using a variety helps you remember more. So try not to stick to one technique:

Scroll down to some of the tools you could use

  • MindMapping - Use images, colour to get the major points on one document. Great for an overview of a subject and MAKES you simplify a topic and show connections. Here is some help

  • Flash Cards - Great to revise key point for topics (or sub topics) You could use different coloured cards, highlighters to help the brain make links between information.

  • Mnemonics - There is a lot of evidence to say these work for remembering specific information. I have seen pupils create a Rap or Song instead (for the musicians out there). Examples are things like RICE - for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate.

  • Past papers - You should have access to these. Complete these ON PAPER with A PEN to ensure it is similar to your actual exams

  • Create a Memory Room/Palace/Place - Create a visual representation of a room/place. You must know this place inside out and be very creative. Visit the room in brain regularly so that you are very familiar with it. Now place information in there. For example poetry analysis is under the bed in a box. When you need to recall information you can retrieve it at speed. This is used by MANY professionals and is extremely effective. However, it will require time, repetition and patience.