Thread
Learning new skills fast is essential for survival in the digital age.
But 99% of people never learn how to learn effectively.
Here's how you can use the "S.T.I.C" framework to learn anything in half the time and join the top 1%
🧵
But 99% of people never learn how to learn effectively.
Here's how you can use the "S.T.I.C" framework to learn anything in half the time and join the top 1%
🧵
Homo sapiens have been foraging for knowledge since the early days of mankind.
That is roughly 200,000+ years ago.
They needed
A detailed mental map of their territory,
Knowledge of the seasons and warning signs
Information about plant and animal growth patterns.
That is roughly 200,000+ years ago.
They needed
A detailed mental map of their territory,
Knowledge of the seasons and warning signs
Information about plant and animal growth patterns.
For the modern human being however,
Learning is, in simple words, the acquisition of knowledge through different forms of media like reading, listening, watching content, and so on.
Learning is, in simple words, the acquisition of knowledge through different forms of media like reading, listening, watching content, and so on.
Learning is cognitive, in the sense that it requires
paying attention
recognizing
interpreting
analyzing
thinking
and making sense of observed events.
We also learn from our experiences within the society we live in.
paying attention
recognizing
interpreting
analyzing
thinking
and making sense of observed events.
We also learn from our experiences within the society we live in.
At some point in your life, I know you've asked the question,
"What is the best way for me to learn something FAST?"
I know I have.
That’s what led me down the rabbit hole of effective learning when I was getting my masters in Business Management.
I found that..
"What is the best way for me to learn something FAST?"
I know I have.
That’s what led me down the rabbit hole of effective learning when I was getting my masters in Business Management.
I found that..
There are only a handful of principles that are supported by compelling evidence.
The "S.T.I.C" framework for effective learning is one of the solutions I’ll explain to you today.
The "S.T.I.C" framework for effective learning is one of the solutions I’ll explain to you today.
It comprises four of the most important principles of learning into a nice, easy mnemonic.
You can apply to whatever you’re trying to learn or study. The four principles are:
(S) - Spacing
(T) - Testing
(I) - Interleaving
(C) - Categorizing
You can apply to whatever you’re trying to learn or study. The four principles are:
(S) - Spacing
(T) - Testing
(I) - Interleaving
(C) - Categorizing
Applying these four concepts will make your learning process more efficient, successful, and rewarding.
Although it's called the STIC Framework
I'm going to focus on Testing and Spacing first, followed by Categorizing and Interleaving - the problem is, TSCI isn't as memorable!
Although it's called the STIC Framework
I'm going to focus on Testing and Spacing first, followed by Categorizing and Interleaving - the problem is, TSCI isn't as memorable!
Testing
Testing yourself primes your brain for when you then hear an answer to retain it -especially if you get it wrong.
Every time we test ourselves, we’re forcing our brains to build connections between different areas and, in turn, the info gets encoded more strongly.
Testing yourself primes your brain for when you then hear an answer to retain it -especially if you get it wrong.
Every time we test ourselves, we’re forcing our brains to build connections between different areas and, in turn, the info gets encoded more strongly.
To put it bluntly, take action before you start consuming information.
Want to learn how to write? Start writing.
Want to learn how to be fit? Start working out.
Want to learn how to play the piano? Start playing
Want to learn how to write? Start writing.
Want to learn how to be fit? Start working out.
Want to learn how to play the piano? Start playing
Spacing
Or spaced repetition, is the technique to literally ‘space out’ your learning sessions on a given topic.
While studying the same thing repeatedly leads to short-term progress, it doesn’t result in sustainable recall over time.
Or spaced repetition, is the technique to literally ‘space out’ your learning sessions on a given topic.
While studying the same thing repeatedly leads to short-term progress, it doesn’t result in sustainable recall over time.
This relates to a phenomenon in memory research known as 'The Forgetting Curve.'
Our brains are wired in such a way that over time our memory deteriorates – unless you revisit that information after a period of time, re-encode it and reinforce what you’ve learnt.
Our brains are wired in such a way that over time our memory deteriorates – unless you revisit that information after a period of time, re-encode it and reinforce what you’ve learnt.
Categorizing
If we’re learning a large amount of information,
it’s far more effective to build a categorization system which helps to breakdown the material.
Rather than simply trying to learn the information as one large unit – which is probably the default strategy.
If we’re learning a large amount of information,
it’s far more effective to build a categorization system which helps to breakdown the material.
Rather than simply trying to learn the information as one large unit – which is probably the default strategy.
It’s easier to visualize this process in the form of a tree -with every branch extending off into smaller branches.
Each small branch holds a number of leaves (topics)
and each big branch holds a number of small branches.
Each small branch holds a number of leaves (topics)
and each big branch holds a number of small branches.
Interleaving
It is a process where you aim to mix up various subjects and topics simultaneously.
Think copywriting and brand design.
Unlike ‘blocking’ which works for short-term memory
interleaving can help to strengthen your memory associations over a longer period of time.
It is a process where you aim to mix up various subjects and topics simultaneously.
Think copywriting and brand design.
Unlike ‘blocking’ which works for short-term memory
interleaving can help to strengthen your memory associations over a longer period of time.
When interleaving, different skills are intermixed rather than grouped by type – in other words, abcbcab instead of aabbcc.
Learning *should* be mentally taxing and interleaving introduces variety which produces difficulty as well as forces your brain to adapt.
Learning *should* be mentally taxing and interleaving introduces variety which produces difficulty as well as forces your brain to adapt.
Key Takeaways:
•Test yourself before, during and after studying topics.
•Space out your revision sessions on particular topics.
•Break down larger topics into a categorized system.
•Remember to keep your learning varied.
•Test yourself before, during and after studying topics.
•Space out your revision sessions on particular topics.
•Break down larger topics into a categorized system.
•Remember to keep your learning varied.
That is the "S.T.I.C" Framework that you can start using today.
I guarantee you’ll unlock the ability to learn any subject faster than ever before once you apply it.
I guarantee you’ll unlock the ability to learn any subject faster than ever before once you apply it.
Enjoy this post?
Follow me @theshrawankc for writing on psychology, purposeful living and the creator economy.
Like, Comment and RT to share with your audience.
Until next time.
Peace.
Follow me @theshrawankc for writing on psychology, purposeful living and the creator economy.
Like, Comment and RT to share with your audience.
Until next time.
Peace.
