Remap of Holistic learning

Holistic learning

Holistic learning is a strategy based on weaving information into webs, instead of bludgeoning yourself with rote-memorization. The foundation of this strategy is:

1) Constructs - The sum total of all connections that represent your knowledge about a subject. These are the cities of your mind.
2) Models - Compact units of information that form the seeds of constructs. These are
metaphors, visceralizations and diagrams. Models are the major intersections in the roadmap of your constructs.
3) Highways - Connections between different constructs. These aid in creative thinking. “Thinking outside the box” perfectly describes the act of thinking beyond the current constructs you have.

Holistic learning works in a sequence of five steps. These steps aren’t always followed one-byone, but this is the path they usually take:
1) Acquire - Receiving information through your senses.
2) Understand - Get the surface of information.
3) Explore - Connect that basic idea to others. Exploration works in three main ways:
a) Depth Exploration - Exploring the background of an idea.
b) Lateral Exploration - Exploring associated ideas.
c) Vertical Exploration - Exploring the idea as it relates to different constructs.
4) Debug - Prune away false connections.
5) Apply - Take an idea and give it meaning beyond immediate uses.
Information is similar to digestion. The process is the same regardless of what you ingest. But
the inputs can be very different. Taking into account different information types can help you plan
your learning efforts. There are five major types of information:
1) Arbitrary - Facts, dates, lists, rules and sequences. They have little logical grouping or depth.
2) Opinion - Information gathered for the sole purpose of supporting or defeating your
argument. Volume is important here, rather than being able to memorize.
3) Process - Information in the form of skills. Requires practice, but is easier to remember.
4) Concrete - Ideas that are easy to visualize. These are often practical ideas that are easy to experience.
5) Abstract - Ideas that are difficult to experience. Math, philosophy and physics are some of the most abstract fields.

Summary of Techniques
Speed Reading
1) Use a pointer.
2) Practice read.

3) Use active reading to improve learning while reading.

Flow-Based Note Taking
1) Don’t write notes in a rigid hierarchy.
2) Create associations between briefly written ideas.
Metaphor
Look for a story, image or process that mirrors what you are studying.

Visceralization
1) Create a mental image of what you are studying.
2) Add other sensations and emotions to this image.

3) Look for ways the image does not apply or does not fully cover the subject to prevent errors later.

Diagramming
Create flow, concept or picture diagrams to link together several ideas onto the same source.
Link Method
1) Create a sequence of symbols that are easy to visualize.
2) Create “links” between each item by visualizing a bizarre scene that combines the two.

3) Create a link between the first sequence item and a trigger.

Peg Method
Same as link method except you link each idea to a list of 0-12 rhyming symbols you can recall easily.

Information Compression
Three main forms:
1) Mnemonics - Using words to compress several ideas into a single idea.
2) Picture Compression - Create a picture that links several ideas under a single theme.

3) Notes Compression - Rewrite a vast quantity of notes onto just a few pages.

Practical Usage

Look for ways to apply the idea in your daily life.

Model Debugging

Practice questions in your subject regularly and look for potential errors in your holistic web.

Project-Based Learning
Set up projects of 1-3 months that will force you to learn new concepts. This is a useful
exercise for self-education, where there is less structure to guide you.

The Productive Student
1) Manage Your Energy
- Stay in shape, eat healthy and don't work without sleep.
- Schedule a day off each week.
2) Don't “Study”
3) Nuke Procrastination
-Set up a Weekly and Daily Goals list to keep focused.
4) Batch smaller tasks into groups.
5) Be organized.

-Keep a calendar, to-do list and carry a notepad with you at all times.

Self-Education
Self-education can be cheap, fast and rewarding but it also has challenges. Namely, it has less structure and is more difficult than formal education. The main ways you can improve your ability
to teach yourself are:
1) Improve your habits
2) Overcome the frustration barrier
3) Set learning goals to track progress