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Want to Remember Everything You'll Ever Learn? Surrender to This Algorithm

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Re: Want to Remember Everything You'll Ever Learn? Surrender to This Algorithm

#2
The logic behind this, "acquire a piece of knowledge, then don't forget it" is similar to the description one of my university professors gave for learning how to fly: "fall over and don't hit the ground."

I suspect that physics may remain a limiting factor for the professor's suggestion, but SuperNote is an intriguing application. I believe the Pimsleur language courses use a similar method of 'staggered reminding' to encourage your retention of knowledge.

Re: Want to Remember Everything You'll Ever Learn? Surrender to This Algorithm

#3
I will make a shameless, shameless plug.. (disgusting)

I have been working on a simpler spaced repetition system (the Leitner System relies on a simple yes/no response) implemented as a wepapp: http://flashcarddb.com

The article mentions the popularity of spaced repititon software in Poland. And sure enough a large number of my incoming users are from Poland and a few other European countries that are familiar with the concepts.

Another open source Supermemo alternative is Mnemosyne.

I have thought of adding the option of a more complicated rating system for grading answers but most new users tend to be relatively new to the idea of spaced repetition. So, for now, I am keeping it relatively simple.

Re: Want to Remember Everything You'll Ever Learn? Surrender to This Algorithm

#4
post #2

The logic behind this, "acquire a piece of knowledge, then don't forget it" is similar to the description one of my university professors gave for learning how to fly: "fall over and don't hit the ground." I suspect that physics may remain a limiting factor for the professor's suggestion, but SuperNote is an intriguing application. I believe the Pimsleur language courses use a similar method of 'staggered reminding'…

In case you were curious of the source of that comment, it's from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

"There is an art, it says, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Pick a nice day, [The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy] suggests, and try it."

Douglas Adams was awesome.

Re: Want to Remember Everything You'll Ever Learn? Surrender to This Algorithm

#5
post #2

The logic behind this, "acquire a piece of knowledge, then don't forget it" is similar to the description one of my university professors gave for learning how to fly: "fall over and don't hit the ground." I suspect that physics may remain a limiting factor for the professor's suggestion, but SuperNote is an intriguing application. I believe the Pimsleur language courses use a similar method of 'staggered reminding'…

Ah, but the way to not forget it is to simply refresh it right before it's about to be forgotten. The idea behind SuperMemo, the software described in the article, is an attempt to do just that. Learn when it is your likely to forget and bring it up again around that time. It's a cleverly ingenious idea.

Re: Want to Remember Everything You'll Ever Learn? Surrender to This Algorithm

#8

Is there a Mac version?

"Genius" is an excellent Mac flashcard program with spaced repetition.

http://lifehacker.com/software/featured-mac-download/memoriz...

http://web.mac.com/jrc/Genius/

A lot of Mac people sing its praises.

Re: Want to Remember Everything You'll Ever Learn? Surrender to This Algorithm

#9
Spaced repetition is killer. It seems to take the work out of remembering things, leaving nothing but determination. I've been using http://kanji.koohii.com for awhile, which is an excellent implementation of the technique for remembering the meaning of Japanese characters using a particular method book. A niche site, to be sure, but an excellent implementation overall.

I also recommend http://ichi2.net/anki/, which has a Japanese focus but is by no means exclusive to it.

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