Comparison of accelerated learning resources

I wrote the Memletics Manual because I couldn't find anything like it. There are many references out there, however I haven't found any that cover, in detail, the major contributors to faster learning. Many books and materials are out of date. For example, there are many resources (and sites that sell them) that describe how music can significantly increase learning performance, even though many credible controlled studies demonstrate little or no effect. This is part of the reason why I spent so much time researching the manual.

On this page I provide an overview of why I believe the Memletics Manual will save you time and money, compared to other resources. If you are searching for good information on Accelerated Learning, here's an overview of where you might be thinking you can find this information:

• Free Websites
• Accelerated Learning Books (Buzan, Rose, Meier etc)
• Supported Learning Systems/Techniques - NLP, Mind Maps
• Questionable Learning Systems -  SuperLearning, Subliminal Learning, Sleep Learning etc

Free websites

There are very few (none?) good accelerated learning sites that are comprehensive and free. In my research I referenced material from over one hundred and fifty websites, however to find those I visited many times that number of sites. Much material in the manual is from paid subscription services, offline references and books not found on the Internet. It took me more than a year to research, collate, write and update the manual (not to mention the last 10 years of exploring accelerated learning for everything from college study to learning to fly).

If you have time to do that research, I suggest you use the Memletics Introduction on this website as a framework to start your research. Use the summaries to gain keywords for your searches.

If you don't have time to find all that information, I believe you will find the Memletics Manual a great time saver. You can get started with improving your learning performance immediately, and you can focus on what you want to learn.

Learn more about the Memletics Accelerated Learning Manual.

Accelerated Learning Books

On a more positive note, there are a few books out there that specifically cover Accelerated Learning. As you will see though, I don't believe they cover the breadth, and in some cases the depth, that I do in the Memletics Manual. Lets take a look at two of the more popular ones:

Full details of the books above:

• Memletics Accelerated Learning Manual - Sean Whiteley. For more information close this window and return to the Memletics.com site.
• Accelerated Learning for the 21st Century - Colin Rose and Malcolm Nichol. ISBN 0440507790.
• The Accelerated Learning Handbook - Dave Meier. ISBN 0071355472.

To obtain the information included in the Memletics Manual, you'd need more than just one book. In addition, I've referenced many more books in the creation of Memletics. While the Memletics Manual may be more expensive than some books, it does cover a wider range of material than most. That's why I believe it will save you money.

In addition, your support will help fund further research into accelerated learning, rather than 95% of the purchase price going to large publishing houses and bookstores. This is part of the reason why we publish our material online (another is we can get the information to you much faster!).

Learn more about the Memletics Accelerated Learning Manual.

Supported learning systems and techniques

Let's look at two learning systems or techniques - NLP and Mind Mapping.

NLP, or Neuro Linguistic Programming

Many people believe that NLP is an accelerated learning system, however in reality it only covers a certain part of learning. It focuses primarily on mental state. As you can see below, mental state is only one (although important) part of accelerated learning. Let's compare NLP (in general) to the Memletics Manual:

Learn more about the Memletics Accelerated Learning Manual.

Mind Mapping

Again, many people tend to believe that Mind Mapping is an accelerated learning system on its own. However, after my own experiences and discussions with Memletics users who have also used Mind Mapping, it's clear that Mind Maps should be used as part of a larger learning sytem. Let's compare Mind Mapping to Memletics:

Don't misinterpret me here though. I am a big fan of Mind Maps. I use them regularly and I describe them in the Memletics Manual. Here's some key points:

• They are part of the Explore, Arrange and Reinforce steps of the Memletic Process. They can be used to explore new material, arrange it and help you memorize it.
• They are very helpful for visual learners.
• There is less assistance on how to memorize it or use repetition effectively using a variety of techniques. The primary methods for memorizing Mind Maps are just "looking at it" or redrawing it several times.

The Mind Map materials don't cover how to:

• Use various other techniques to better memorize the Mind Map.
• Make sure your body and mind are in the right state for learning.
• Discover and use the seven key learning styles.
• Target, plan and track achieve specific learning goals.
• Overcome general learning challenges such as motivation, fear, nervousness, pressure, making mistakes etc.

As I said, I am a big fan of Mind Maps however I suggest you use it as one of many techniques in your learning toolkit.

Learn more about the Memletics Accelerated Learning Manual.

Questionable Learning Systems

Here's some interesting information on other popular learning systems - SuperLearning, Subliminal Learning and Sleep Learning. I also have some general comments on these at the end of this section.

SuperLearning, the Mozart Effect, Relaxed Learning etc

This quote from a government-sponsored research program into training programs for government use sums up the effectiveness of programs using Superlearning principles (eg based on Dr Lozanov & suggestive learning):

The committee finds little scientific evidence that so-called superlearning programs, such as Suggestive Accelerative Learning and Teaching Techniques, derive their instructional benefits from elements outside the mainstream of research and practice.

Written in 1988 by the Committee on techniques for the enhancement of human performance.

In other words, the non-traditional elements of Superlearning (such as breaking material into 4 second chunks, varied readings, deep relaxation etc) don't contribute to faster learning any more than standard well-designed lessons. In many reports these elements appear to distract students and result in significantly decreased performance.

My view is that yes - it's hard to learn while stressed and so yes - relaxation before learning can improve memory and learning. However, if you are already relaxed it's unlikely that further relaxation exercises will help you learn faster.

In the manual I describe ways to use relaxation effectively in learning. I also describe one of the better relaxation techniques based on medical research into relaxation and pain control - it's simple!

In the manual's references I also provide free links to the full text of these government research reports. If you didn't know where to look you'd be buying these from Amazon.com.

Subliminal Learning

Another quote from a government-sponsored research program:

The committee's review of the available research literature leads to our conclusion that, at this time, there is neither theoretical foundation nor experimental evidence to support claims that subliminal self-help tapes enhance human performance.

Written in 1992 by the Committee on techniques for the enhancement of human performance.

Sleep learning

From yet another government-sponsored research report:

Yet, most formal studies of sleep learning have yielded negative results, and most instances of positive findings were either anecdotal in nature or marred by the absence of proper controls or inadequate psychophysiological monitoring of sleep.

Written in 1994 by the Committee on techniques for the enhancement of human performance.

Overall comments

Frankly I'm amazed that while some of these reports were published more than ten years ago, there are still many people selling materials based on these techniques. While there are many ways to improve learning, they still require effort on your part. I believe the popularity of these systems stems from our desire to get "something for nothing," but what results is "nothing for something."