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To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

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Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In my opinion people often make the mistake of using Anki to memorize one-to-one translations of foreign words. It is more effective to use it to learn the mapping of whole sentences. For every word you want to learn, add a few idiomatic and representative sentences in Anki. You can do the same for every new grammatical concept you want to learn. And don't forget to use Anki's text-to-speech tools to practice listeni…

That's exactly what I do. From videos I use losslesscut [1] to isolate the sentences I want to practice on and then turn those into anki flashcards with some custom tools I wrote. [1] https://github.com/mifi/lossless-cut

What else do your tools/scripts do? Does losslesscut work with streaming video or only downloaded files?

Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#52
Does there exist an app/website/program that implements this technique for learning languages, combined with actual lesson plans? I understand you can use the SuperMemo software or something like Anki to learn languages, but you need to decide what you want to learn and put it into the program. What I'd like is something like Duolingo with an existing set of lessons and a progression, but that makes use of this reminder timing. (Duolingo does do reminders to practice old material, but it's clearly not advanced. It regularly has me practicing stuff that is far below my level and is effectively known forever.)

Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#53
post #37
post #34

Years ago, I used Anki to memorize 3000 difficult words and thus get a perfect verbal score on the GRE. Great stuff!

I used Mnemosyne to memorize baby Rudin, Munkres’ Topology and large swaths of Dummit and Foote. Perfect scores on analysis and topology qualifying exams… good enough on algebra haha. I had always been reluctant to use memorization but I found it helped immensely. Especially as a returning graduate student.

Yeah, well Dummit and Foote is huge. It would take forever to get everything down.

Great job on your exams though!

Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#54

Does there exist an app/website/program that implements this technique for learning languages, combined with actual lesson plans? I understand you can use the SuperMemo software or something like Anki to learn languages, but you need to decide what you want to learn and put it into the program. What I'd like is something like Duolingo with an existing set of lessons and a progression, but that makes use of this remin…

Yeah, I agree completely.

Pre-made Anki decks vary in quality. Some are great. But none that I've found have the "themes" that personally keep me motivated to language learn long term.

Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#55

Does someone have a link to some example code that implements this idea? I am working on my own memory-assistance software, I would like to use the algorithm.

I put together a page that lets you try out different spaced repetition algorithms (with javascript code included), and you can try out your own algorithms as well: https://www.ussherpress.com/freshcards/srs/

There's a link on the page to some info on how to use it as well, since it may not be obvious!

Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#56

Since the early 90s I've used a piano-practice scheme that provides spaced repetition. It greatly reduces the time needed to either (1) learn or (2) memorize pieces. I always feel compelled to cite this poem: You can get a great deal from rehearsal If it just has the proper dispersal You would just be an ass To do it en masse Your remembering would turn out much worsal.

I had no idea Ogden Nash had written a poem about piano practice.

Ulrich Neisser apparently. He's also quoted by this guy who apparently had the same idea as me: https://www.modacity.co/blog/using-repetition-achieve-effect...

Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#58

Since the early 90s I've used a piano-practice scheme that provides spaced repetition. It greatly reduces the time needed to either (1) learn or (2) memorize pieces. I always feel compelled to cite this poem: You can get a great deal from rehearsal If it just has the proper dispersal You would just be an ass To do it en masse Your remembering would turn out much worsal.

I believe that specific form is called a limerick.

Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#59

Since the early 90s I've used a piano-practice scheme that provides spaced repetition. It greatly reduces the time needed to either (1) learn or (2) memorize pieces. I always feel compelled to cite this poem: You can get a great deal from rehearsal If it just has the proper dispersal You would just be an ass To do it en masse Your remembering would turn out much worsal.

I believe that specific form is called a limerick.

Perhaps because of the AABBA rhyme scheme and the shorter third and fourth line. But in a limerick the first line traditionally introduces a person and a place, which doesn’t happen here.

Re: To remember everything you learn, surrender to this algorithm (2008)

#60

Does there exist an app/website/program that implements this technique for learning languages, combined with actual lesson plans? I understand you can use the SuperMemo software or something like Anki to learn languages, but you need to decide what you want to learn and put it into the program. What I'd like is something like Duolingo with an existing set of lessons and a progression, but that makes use of this remin…

The closest thing you're probably going to find for languages is the Pimsleur method, which is also based on a specific formula of spaced repetition. I don't know how effective it would be for trying to achieve true conversational fluency, but I've found it very effective for quickly learning a basic set of words and phrases for a trip to another country.

https://www.pimsleur.com/

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