How to be a student in an AI world: 5 Ways you can encode and learn faster

Use AI to help you encode and learn faster

Encoding is how our brains convert new information into a construct that can be stored and recalled later from memory. Yes, being able to recall the information more easily helps you use the content in new and creative ways to solve complex issues. It's a crucial step in the learning process because the way information is encoded affects how well you can remember it. The more effectively information is encoded, the more durable and accessible it becomes in your memory. If you read my earlier blog titled "9 Steps for Effective Studying", you may already know that we encode better when we learn the content within the context that it belongs. Try never to learn facts in isolation from their context.

Encoding is how we organize and store the content we are learning so we can recall it or use it creatively to solve complex issues. In a nutshell, encode and learn faster. AI gives us new opportunities to encode and learn faster. Below I break down 5 strategies you can start using today to learn more with less effort. Let's jump into 5 ways to encode and learn faster and create more durable learning. Here we go!

1. Connect to previous knowledge and experience

One of the most effective ways to encode information is to relate it to something you already know. This process, called elaboration, makes it easier for your brain to create strong neural pathways. AI tools like ChatGPT or educational platforms can assist by helping you draw connections between new material and your existing knowledge base.

How to do it:

• Use AI to summarize new concepts and ask it to explain how they relate to what you already know.

• Create analogies with the help of AI—ask it to explain the topic using metaphors that connect to your experience.

• For example, if you're learning about coding, ask AI to compare it to learning a new language or solving a puzzle.

2. Teach it

The best way to learn is by teaching. Explaining a concept forces you to organize your thoughts, identify gaps in understanding, and reinforce what you know. AI can act as your student or audience, allowing you to simulate this teaching process.

How to do it:

• Use AI as a “practice student.” Explain the concept to it and ask for feedback or questions to challenge your understanding.

• Ask AI to summarize what you've just taught to ensure you've communicated effectively.

• Try creating a mini lesson plan or tutorial and testing it with AI to refine your delivery.

3. Chunk it

Breaking down information into smaller, manageable "chunks" makes it easier to understand and remember. AI can help you identify logical groupings or create summaries for dense material.

How to do it:

• Use AI tools to divide large topics into smaller, digestible sections. For example, ask for a 3- or 5-step breakdown of a concept.

• Create outlines or flashcards for each chunk using AI to simplify complex ideas.

• Group similar ideas together and ask AI to provide connections between them.

4. Test yourself

Self-testing is one of the most powerful ways to encode information. Testing forces you to retrieve knowledge, strengthening the neural pathways associated with that information. AI can be a great tool to create quizzes or simulate exam-like scenarios.

How to do it:

• Ask AI to create multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, or short-answer questions on the material you're studying.

• Practice retrieval by quizzing yourself using these questions without looking at your notes.

• Use spaced repetition by asking AI to prioritize questions you previously struggled with.

5. Visual imagery

Mental imagery involves creating vivid pictures or scenarios in your mind to help encode and recall information more effectively. When you use mental imagery, you actively engage your brain to form meaningful connections and make abstract concepts more tangible. AI can assist by generating descriptions, analogies, or step-by-step processes that help you build mental images.

How to do it:

• Ask AI to create a story or scenario around the concept you're trying to learn. For instance, if you’re studying physics, imagine yourself as a particle moving through a circuit or bouncing off surfaces.

• Use descriptive prompts with AI to help craft a mental journey. For example, if you're learning anatomy, ask the AI to describe traveling through the body as a red blood cell, exploring its functions and destinations.

• Practice closing your eyes and imagining the process or concept in action. Narrate it aloud or in your head as if you're experiencing it firsthand.

Example:If you're learning about ecosystems, imagine yourself as a small animal navigating a forest. Visualize the plants, the food chain, and the role each organism plays. AI can help you describe this journey in rich detail, reinforcing your understanding of the interconnected elements.

Mental imagery not only helps you remember information but also deepens your ability to creatively apply it in real-world situations.