Accelerated Learning

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Accelerated Learning Memory Techniques

• Robert Murray ACII
• Insurance Institute of London - Revision Lecture
• 23rd February 2004

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Studying for exams

• Preparation and planning
• Study timetable
• Appropriate study environment
• Methodical approach
• Thorough learning and constant review
• Wait a minute . . . Im human . . . I have a
  life outside studying . . . I want to know how to
  do last minute cramming and still pass!

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The problems

• Volume of material to be memorised
• Technical nature of many subjects
• Time pressures of working studying

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Memory principles

• Synaesthesia/sensuality
• Movement
• Association
• Sexuality
• Humour
• Imagination
• Number
• Symbolism
• Colour
• Order/sequence
• Positive images
• Exaggeration

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Memory principles

• Synaesthesia/sensuality
• Movement
• Association
• Sexuality
• Humour
• Imagination
• Number

• Symbolism
• Colour
• Order/sequence
• Positive images
• Exaggeration

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Memory principles

• Synaesthesia/sensuality
• Movement
• Association
• Sexuality
• Humour
• Imagination
• Number (1,2,3)

• Symbolism
• Colour
• Order/sequence (a,b,c,d,e,f,g)
• Positive images ?
• Exaggeration !

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Techniques

• Number lists
• Room system
• Journey system
• Tony Buzan Mind Maps

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Number lists

• Number rhyme
• 1. 6.
• 2. 7.
• 3. 8.
• 4. 9.
• 5. 10.

• Number shape
• 1. 6.
• 2. 7.
• 3. 8.
• 4. 9.
• 5. 10.

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Number list example

• Critical success or failure factors may include
• sales revenue
• overheads or production costs
• the learning effect
• overtime and undertime
• dismissals, redundancies and attrition
• turnover of labour and its cost implications
• productivity and efficiency
• market performance against the competition
• profitability
• customer satisfaction surveys
• (935 Principles practice of management in
  insurance)

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Number list example

• Critical success or failure factors may include
• sales revenue
• overheads or production costs
• the learning effect
• overtime and undertime
• dismissals, redundancies and attrition
• turnover of labour and its cost implications
• productivity and efficiency
• market performance against the competition
• profitability
• customer satisfaction surveys
• (935 Principles practice of management in
  insurance)

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Room system

• Imagine a room and then fill it with objects or
  items of furniture which will act as memory aids
  or links.
• For example, if you have three pieces of
  information to remember, you could imagine a
  three-seat sofa with something on each cushion
  that will remind you of each piece of
  information.
• If you wanted to use this system to memorise an
  entire course, you could use a house with each
  room corresponding to a different chapter.
• Or, if you are familiar with your exam centre,
  why not try picturing the exam room and filling
  it with information!

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Room system example Proximate cause

• Definition of proximate cause
• Train of events
• Nature of the perils relevant to proximate cause
• Standard fire policy
• Indirect causes
• Concurrent causes and insurance
• Summary of proximate cause
• Proof of loss
• (520 Company contract law)

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Room system example Proximate cause

• Definition of proximate cause
• Train of events
• Nature of the perils relevant to proximate cause
• Standard fire policy
• Indirect causes
• Concurrent causes and insurance
• Summary of proximate cause
• Proof of loss
• (520 Company contract law)

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Room system example Proximate cause
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Journey system

• This is similar to the room system but instead of
  a static fixed room you can use a familiar
  journey, such as your walk to the station or your
  drive to work, and place your memory links at
  particular landmarks along the way.

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Tony Buzan Mind Maps

• These are colourful representations of a
  particular subject or chapter and make use of
  colours, images and key words to stimulate both
  the left and right side of the brain.

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Mind Map example
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Studying for CII exams

• Make use of the structure in the course book.
  The course writers have already grouped the
  material into logical compartments for your
  memory to work with so take advantage of the
  following
• Chapters
• Sections
• Subsections
• Discuss the course with other people. This will
  bring into play many of the memory principles and
  can really aid understanding and recall.

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Studying for CII exams

• Mind maps
• Course overview (course title or associated
  symbol in the centre with each chapter forming a
  separate branch)
• Individual chapters (with sections forming the
  main branches and subsections branching off
  these)
• Section specific (for those sections where more
  detail is required)
• Key fact cards.
• These can be very useful prompts and are ideal
  for studying whilst on a bus, train or on foot
  (but dont forget to watch where youre walking!)

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Studying for CII exams

• Number lists
• Ideal for learning short lists of information
• Room system / journey system
• Good for small or larger volumes or information
• Major System
• May take a little longer to get to grips with
  this system, but definitely worth having a go as
  it can be very useful for large volumes of
  information
• Can be combined with other systems to form the
  basis of powerful and effective learning.
• Could be used to remember years or dates

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Further reading

• Use Your Memory Tony Buzan
• Master Your Memory Tony Buzan
• The Mind Map Book Tony Buzan
• Accelerated Learning Colin Rose

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Major system

• A more advanced, but very powerful memory system.
• Different consonants or sounds are used to
  represent each number from 0 to 9

• Zer0
• d and t have 1 downward stroke
• n has 2 downward strokes
• m has 3 downward strokes
• four
• J is almost a mirror image
• K contains three 7s
• looped f similar to 8
• 9 mirror image P mirror image b

• 0 s, z, soft c
• 1 d, t, th
• 2 n
• 3 m
• 4 r
• 5 l
• 6 j, sh, soft ch, dg, soft g
• 7 k, hard c, hard ch, hard g, qu
• 8 f, v
• 9 b, p

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Major system

• The vowels a, e, i, o, u and the letters h, w and
  y do not have any associations but are used as
  fillers to build words.
• For example, the number 57 in this system could
  be represented by the work lake.
• Or for the number 94 we could use the word bar
• This allows us to create associated pegs for
  remembering tens or even hundreds of items!

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Major system

• The major system can be used on its own or in
  tandem with the link or journey system.
• For example, say we wanted to remember the number
  pi to 18 decimal places
• Pi 3.141592653589793238...
• We can then break the number into smaller chunks,
  use the associated word from our major system and
  then put these words into some kind of story
• Suggestions
• 3. 14 15 92 65
  35 89 79 32
  38
• Ma door dale pen jail
  mail fab cab men mafia