An overview of the Memletics Accelerated Learning System

Memletics draws together new research as well as what's known about effective learning into an easy-to-apply learning system. This page provides you with an overview. This overview also helps you understand links between the different parts of Memletics. You will soon begin to see the power of Memletics comes from both the individual parts and the whole system.

This page outlines the five parts of Memletics. These parts are the Memletic State, Memletic Process, Memletic Techniques, Memletic Styles and Memletic Approach:

• The Memletic State. How to make sure your brain cells, physical systems and mental systems are in the best state for learning.
• The Memletic Process. The steps you take to LEARN the knowledge needed for your goal.
• The Memletic Techniques. These techniques improve the speed and quality of your learning.
• The Memletic Styles. Use your stronger and secondary learning preferences to improve your overall learning.
• The Memletic Approach. Manage the overall learning journey by prior planning and then tracking along the way.

Memletic State is the right state for learning

Memletic State helps you ensure your cell state, physical state and mental state are in good condition for learning. It’s harder to learn if your cells, body and mind do not perform well.

Cell state refers to the state of the cells, primarily neurons, which make up the brain. Physical state involves the different bodily systems that support life, such as breathing, blood circulation, sleep and general bodily health. Mental state involves mental processes that predominately occur in the mind, such as motivation, concentration, awareness and attitude.

Good learning state supports the building of the networks of neurons for the material you learn. At the same time, positive learning experiences build neural networks that improve how you learn.

What is “good condition?” Let’s look at some examples:

• Cell state. The brain is a cell-based system and relies on essential materials such as oxygen, water, food and nutrients. These materials are essential for the proper functioning of neurons and other key brain cells. Good cell state requires a good supply of all these during learning.
• Physical state: Your physical environment has a big impact on your body, so fresh air, right temperature, good light and correct furniture are important. Controlling your breathing and stress helps good state, as does getting enough rest and sleep. Longer term, good diet and exercise also have positive effects. Some dietary supplements can also increase brain performance.
• Mental state: Clearly defined goals and defined steps for achieving those goals are essential for motivation. Attention and concentration are critical for learning. Longer term, good mental health and “mental exercise” also improve your overall learning.

There are also some negative impacts on state, and the manual discusses these as well. For example, excess stress and tension are enemies of good state.

Memletic Process—the steps to LEARN

The Memletic Process provides steps to follow when learning new material. You use this process at varying levels of detail throughout your learning. For example, you first use this process at a high level to understand the overall organization of your material. You then repeat the process at lower levels of detail until you are learning individual chunks of knowledge, such as a particular skill or fact. This approach provides a repeatable process you can refine to improve your overall learning performance.

The diagram above shows the five activities of the Memletic Process. These are:

• Locate. Firstly you find and prepare content for your learning goal. This may involve using standard books and manuals, however it could also involve getting notes from lectures, one-on-one tutoring sessions, the Internet and other references.
• Explore. Here you work through and understand your content. There are some general principles to follow, such as learning to a level deeper than needed. There are also some approaches relevant to particular learning styles that you may want to try.
• Arrange. Next you select which material you want to memorize, and prepare it for memorization. You select Memletic Techniques based on the type of knowledge you want to learn. This book has over twenty different techniques you can apply to various forms of content. You then prepare your content for use with those techniques.
• Reinforce. You then use those techniques to reinforce knowledge, skills and behaviors. Further reinforcing techniques help you lock in that material for the long term.
• eNquire. Lastly, you review both how well you learned your content, as well how well you applied Memletics along the way.

Notice how the first letters of these steps spell out LEARN (eNquire starts with the ‘N’ sound).

Memletic Techniques lock in knowledge

You mainly use the Memletic Techniques during the reinforcing activity of the Memletic Process. The techniques are the primary methods of reinforcing the knowledge you need to remember for the long term.

You can use many techniques in your learning activities. These are grouped into six main categories, based on the underlying principles of how the techniques work.

These categories are:

• Associate. Associate new knowledge with knowledge that’s already in your memory. These techniques are great for facts and procedures.
• Visualize. Use your “mind’s eye” to recreate sensory abilities, experiences, ideas and views in your mind. Visualization can be creative, for example for experiences that have not happened yet. You can use it to rehearse new procedures and skills, and as well use it to strengthen other techniques.
• Verbalize. Your internal self-talk influences your behavior. Using verbal techniques such as assertions (or assertions), scripting and a “mental firewall” you can alter your internal self-talk to align with your learning objectives.
• Simulate. Simulation reinforces a behavior or skill using external tools. Basic simulation can involve just cardboard cutouts or household items, while PC based simulation is becoming more and more advanced. Role-playing is also another form of simulation.
• Perform. There are specific techniques to improve skill performance. Some of these techniques involve understanding the theory behind learning and performing skills. Other Perform techniques help change existing behaviors, as well as improve performance of already learned skills.
• Repeat. While Memletics aims to reduce rote repetition, rote learning is still a common and sometimes useful technique. Flashcards are also useful, however some newer software can significantly improve the way you learn and retain new material.

The following table lists the techniques in each of these categories:

As well as the techniques, the manual also provides some common reasons why techniques may not work as well as you expect.

Memletic Styles personalize your learning

The Memletic Styles recognize that each of us prefers to learn in different ways. There are many variations on this theme and different ways to describe these preferences, however the Memletic Styles uses the seven shown in the diagram as its basis. These seven Learning Styles are:

• Visual. You use pictures, images, visualization, and spatial arrangements.
• Aural. You use voice, sounds and music.
• Verbal. You use words and writing.
• Physical. You use your body, hands, and sense of touch.
• Logical. You use logic, reasoning and systems.
• Social. You prefer to learn with groups or other people.
• Solitary. You prefer to work alone and use self-study.

All of these styles are effective learning styles. Your favored use of particular styles does not make you a more or less effective learner. Current school approaches tend to focus on only two of these. This bias may have influenced how you view your own learning abilities.

Memletic Approach—the path to your goals

The Memletic Approach is a series of tasks that you can use to approach and manage any learning journey. The time you spend in this activity varies according to the length and importance of your goals.

The four tasks of the Memletic Approach are:

• Target. Choose and clarify your goal. Targeting your goal involves understanding your reasons, exploring your goal and setting your objectives.
• Plan. Decide your approach. Do prior research, plan your course map, and work out time and cost estimates.
• Track. Track your progress. This involves regularly (but not too regularly) checking your progress and adjusting where necessary.
• Do it. Enjoy it for life. This one is self-explanatory!

Where to next?

The Memletics Accelerated Learning Manual is the only reference for Memletic Learning. Go to the Memletics Manual Home Page to find out more.