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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)

#61

Post by dls2016 »

solarmist wrote: post #53
dls2016 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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!

The exams were more than a few years ago now. Thanks!

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

#62

Post by Buttons840 »

SirensOfTitan wrote: post #31

The SuperMemo scheduling algorithm is a lot easier for me to deal with than Anki: if I miss a couple days, it doesn't overwhelm me with a punishing review schedule. With that, I really wish Woz would open source the SM18 algorithm, dealing with the SM UI is really painful. I don't love the Anki UI either, but it's streets ahead of SM in that dimension. Also, tangentially related: I really love Woz's wiki, which is fi…

Just put in whatever time you have. Spaced repetition algorithms are robust against abuse. I have some spaced repetition items I've neglected for years, when I go back, the algorithms will do the appropriate thing and my time will still be used efficiently.

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

#63

Post by Buttons840 »

xvector wrote: post #47

Can spaced repetition be used effectively for things beyond languages? This would have been a godsend had I known about it during college.

I've used it for some math concepts. The memorized concepts give you something to mentally play with, and give anchor points on which you can build more knowledge.

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

#64

Post by muzani »

tempestn wrote: post #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 remin…

Anki allows you to download preset content. SuperMemo appears to have paid content for languages, but I haven't seen how effective it is.

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

#65

Post by muzani »

Spaced repetition actually took off in recent years. But there's another component of SuperMemo that didn't, incremental reading: https://supermemo.guru/wiki/Incremental_reading

It seems a lot more effective than spaced repetition, but also a much higher level of commitment and a higher learning curve. It's sort of like using a power tool. I haven't tried it, but this is a good reminder that I should.

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

#66

Post by vymague »

dls2016 wrote: post #37
efficax wrote: 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.

Could you give us an example of the type of cards you used? I'm always interested in how to use anki for math and physics. The usual advice to do well in those courses is to do a lot of problems.

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

#67

Post by Jtsummers »

muzani wrote: post #65

Spaced repetition actually took off in recent years. But there's another component of SuperMemo that didn't, incremental reading: https://supermemo.guru/wiki/Incremental_reading It seems a lot more effective than spaced repetition, but also a much higher level of commitment and a higher learning curve. It's sort of like using a power tool. I haven't tried it, but this is a good reminder that I should.

https://getpolarized.io

This is a tool meant to help with incremental reading, with support for generating Anki flashcards.

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

#68

Post by Buttons840 »

You know. I've never been interested in these e-ink notebooks where you can write on a digital screen that acts like paper. I've always felt that actual pen and paper were superior.

However, if you add some good spaced repetition software to one of these e-notebooks then I think you will have finally surpassed pen and paper for note taking.

I'm thinking of something like, you take a note on a page and then save it. A week later the page of notes you wrote is presented to you again and you can draw boxes around parts of the page and blur / hide bits of text, etc; these then become your spaced repetition items. I've heard of studies showing that hand written notes are superior for memory, this is the best of both worlds, hand written and then automatic spaced repetition.

And how much easier is it to surrender your life to a spaced repetition algorithm when it is it's own dedicated device? The idea of being able to memorize math, and other visual information, in addition to the usual written content (which is, again, better remembered if hand written) is so promising I'd happily pay hundreds of dollars for such a device.

I know there are some fairly hackable e-ink tables out there, has anyone done this?

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

#69

Post by BeetleB »

dls2016 wrote: post #37
efficax wrote: 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.

I've often heard it's not very effective for topics like math. I would love to read a write-up on how you did this - perhaps your technique is better than most people's attempts?

Also, do you continue to use it for math-like subjects?

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

#70

Post by michrassena »

a9h74j wrote: post #44
Jtsummers wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I believe Anki memorization + regular conversational practice is second only to full immersion as the best learning strategy. I'd extend this: Memory + Synthesis = Useful learning strategy Blindly learning facts with no intent to synthesize them into something else will help you win at trivia contests. Learning to integrate those facts into something else (like conversation, with languages) is how you effectively l…

When I first heard the term "revising your notes" I assumed it meant the kind of synthesis you speak of, or at least finding errors in lecture material. No, apparently it just means looking at them again, at least as a minimum.

I believe "revision" is used in British English to mean reviewing or studying.
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