Utilize the Leitner Method for Enhanced Learning Efficiency
Variety in your study methods is a fantastic way to keep yourself engaged as you absorb new knowledge, so give the Leitner technique a go next time you tackle a new subject. This memory-boosting strategy works best when you have a significant amount of time to learn your material, so avoid using it for last-minute cramming sessions. Instead, start it at the beginning of a semester or chapter. Here's how to do it:
What is the Leitner technique for studying?
This method was invented by science writer Sebastian Leitner in 1972 and hence bears his name. (It's from his book "How to Learn to Learn," although the English translation isn't available, so take my word for it.) The method relies on physical tools: flashcards and boxes. You'll also need a pen or pencil to create the flashcards. At its core, this is a version of spaced repetition, an evidence-based method that helps learners retain numerous pieces of information and store them in their memory. Use it when you have ample time to learn a large amount of content, such as an entire course or a particularly meaty chapter, rather than a smaller section or topic with only a few new concepts to absorb.
How to use the Leitner technique
First, create your flashcards. Don't worry about the box-related steps just yet. Include vocabulary words, new concepts, phrases, important dates, and any other necessary information on your flashcards. Try using the SQ3R method, which involves identifying questions about the material before you start reading, then writing down the answers to those questions as you find them, plus any additional information you learn. Base your questions on subheadings, graphs, tables, summaries, and other key parts of the chapter, but later, you can use those same pieces of information, along with the answers you find, to create your flashcards. Be thorough and include concepts and words you already feel confident about, even if it seems redundant. This is all part of the Leitner technique and will help you in the long run.
Once you have a comprehensive deck of flashcards, it's time to use the method. You'll need five boxes (or envelopes or labeled binder clips, as long as they can hold a stack of cards). Label them based on how much time you have to grasp the information. For example, if you have a big midterm in two months, label Box 1 "daily," Box 2 "every other day," Box 3 "weekly," Box 4 "biweekly," and Box 5 "monthly."
Now, go through a round of flashcards. If you get a card correct, move it to Box 2. If you get a card wrong, keep it in Box 1. The idea is that Box 1 is for daily review, so you'll need to review those cards every day. If you move a card from Box 2 to Box 3 because you answered it correctly, it means you'll review it less frequently, like once a week. But if you answer a card in Box 2 incorrectly, it moves back to Box 1 for additional daily review until you get it right.
In essence, correctly answering a card moves it into a box with less frequent review, while an incorrect answer moves it into a box with more frequent review. Eventually, you'll have cards in Box 5, which contains information you've effectively stored in your memory and don't need to review as often. Cards in lower-numbered boxes require more frequent review because you're not retaining them as well.
Modifications and considerations for the Leitner technique
How you use the technique depends on how much time you have to study and how much content you have to learn. For example, if you have only a few concepts to drill or just two weeks until a major exam, you might just use three boxes to represent daily, every-other-day, and weekly review. You also have some flexibility when it comes to incorrect answers. The most faithful adherence to the method would have you moving any incorrect cards all the way back to Box 1, no matter what box the card had previously moved to. However, you can make a judgment call on whether getting it wrong once means you need to review it every day or only demote it one box.
You should also be strategic when studying on a day with multiple boxes. If you start on a Monday and use a daily, every-other-day, and weekly setup for your first three boxes, for instance, Friday will be a busy day. Start with the highest box of the day, then move backward. By doing this, you'll review any cards you got wrong and moved back twice, but you won't have to review any cards you got right and moved forward twice. Plus, it'll be a confidence boost to start with the harder ones and get some right, moving them to a box you won't have to look at for a while.
The main aim here is to thoroughly go over the cards that you're having trouble retaining, avoiding the trap of overstudying what you've already got down pat. As more cards transition into the higher-numbered sections, introduce details from fresh chapters to ensure your deck provides a well-rounded summary of all the knowledge essential for a cumulative exam or, ideally, for real-life application of the information in the long run.
After mastering the Leitner technique for efficient learning, you can share this method with your family, encouraging them to utilize it during their own studies. This family-wide adoption of the Leitner technique could foster a supportive learning environment, strengthening your bond while enhancing everyone's educational journey. Additionally, incorporating flashcards into family game nights can make learning fun and engaging, transforming study sessions into enjoyable experiences.
