A Practical Demo of Effective Learning Strategies

In the previous blog post, we discussed how traditional study methods can lead to the fluency illusion, making you feel more confident than you should about what you’ve learned. Now, I want to give you a hands-on demonstration of a more effective learning strategy.

Follow the steps below carefully, and don’t rush to the next part until you fully understand the instructions on this page.

Instructions

  1. Read the two articles on the next pages. Use your phone’s timer and dedicate 5 minutes to each article. During those 5 minutes, re-read and study each article as many times as possible. You’ll likely read each article 4-5 times. This part should take you a total of 10 minutes (5 minutes per article).
  2. Set an alarm for one hour. During this hour, do not think about the articles. Keep yourself busy with other tasks or just relax. When the alarm goes off, move on to the next step.
  3. Re-read the first article. Spend 5 minutes re-reading the first article as much as you can. Refresh your memory and try to absorb the content again.
  4. Do NOT re-read the second article. Instead, grab a pen and paper (or use a note-taking app) and try to write down as much as you can remember from the second article, as if you’re trying to recreate it word-for-word.
  5. Set an alarm for 24 hours. When the alarm goes off, get a pen and paper again and try to rewrite both articles from memory.

This simple experiment will help you experience firsthand how different learning strategies impact your ability to recall information over time.

Article 1

Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

The axolotl, a remarkable amphibian native to the lakes underlying Mexico City, specifically Lake Xochimilco, is renowned for its extraordinary regenerative abilities, capable of regrowing entire limbs, spinal cords, hearts, and other organs without scarring. Unlike most amphibians, axolotls retain their larval features throughout their lives, a phenomenon known as neoteny, which includes retaining their gills. They live entirely in water and do not undergo the typical metamorphosis to become land-dwelling. This unique species, now critically endangered due to habitat destruction and pollution, thrives in cooler water temperatures and can live up to 15 years in captivity. Axolotls have both lungs and gills, and they can also absorb oxygen through their skin. Wild axolotls are typically dark with mottled patterns, but captive breeding has produced various color morphs, including white (leucistic) and golden albino.

Axolotls have a fascinating cultural significance, as they were considered a transformation of the Aztec god Xolotl. They are predominantly nocturnal, with simple eyes lacking eyelids, and communicate through visual and chemical signals. With a slow metabolism, they can survive weeks without food, although their diet in the wild includes small fish, worms, and insects, while in captivity, they are often fed brine shrimp and pellets. Axolotls are extensively used in scientific research, particularly in the fields of regeneration and developmental biology. Despite their peaceful appearance, they can exhibit aggressive tendencies, especially when young or overcrowded, and are known to be cannibalistic. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs, are crucial to prevent their extinction.

Article 2

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)

The fossa, endemic to Madagascar, is the island's largest mammalian carnivore and a formidable predator, primarily preying on lemurs and other small animals. Despite its cat-like appearance, the fossa is more closely related to the mongoose family. It possesses retractable claws and remarkably flexible ankles that can rotate up to 180 degrees, facilitating its adeptness at climbing and hunting in trees. Fossas are solitary creatures, coming together only during the mating season when females attract multiple males using a single tree as a mating platform. After a gestation period of about three months, females give birth to litters of two to four young.

Their long tails, nearly as long as their bodies, aid in balance while navigating the treetops. Fossas are active both day and night, depending on food availability and competition, and communicate through vocalizations, scent markings, and body postures. Classified as vulnerable due to habitat destruction and hunting, they inhabit diverse environments ranging from rainforests to dry deciduous forests. Fossas can live up to 20 years in captivity, though much about their ecology and behavior remains unknown due to their elusive nature. Cultural perceptions in Madagascar often fear and misunderstand fossas, contributing to their endangered status. Conservation programs focused on habitat preservation and legal protection against hunting are essential to their survival.

Good luck with the experiment! Remember to follow the steps carefully to get the most out of this learning strategy demo.