How to be a Student in an AI World: 9 Steps for Effective Studying

9 Steps for Effective Studying

Students forget almost 70% of what they were taught in just 24 hours. That is shocking, and it doesn't have to be that way. The key is in how we

learn. It is not something that is lacking in our brains it is in how we are learning the content. With the proliferation of AI tools, we are in an unprecedented time where we can easily do something about this. AI won't take over the learning for us. If we integrate AI into our studying, we can literally learn more and study less.

The boundaries of technology and daily life are increasingly blurred, and the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the landscape of education and learning. That last sentence almost sounded like a Terminator reference. Let's stay away from those. We are at a crossroads between traditional learning methods, the education system, and the AI-driven educational ecosystem. This article is meant to guide you as you explore how AI fits into your study ecosystem. When used as part of a larger strategy, AI enhances the learning experience and adjusts our approach to studying.

Integrating AI into education presents unprecedented opportunities for personalized learning, efficiency, and access to a wealth of knowledge. However, it also brings forth the challenge of navigating through a maze of information and technology. The key to success in this AI-driven educational landscape is not just about understanding or using technology but about evolving as a learner.

In the following sections, we will unveil the 9 steps for effective studying to empower you to harness the potential of AI, enhance your study habits, and adapt to the dynamic demands of learning in an AI world. From leveraging AI tools for personalized learning to developing critical thinking skills amidst a sea of automated information, these steps are meant to help you become a proactive, efficient, and future-ready learner.

1. Don't study or use AI in isolation.

Learning is contextual. The difference between an expert and a novice is really the amount of connections a person's brain makes with the content we are learning. These connections happen in the white space of our brains. Embrace the context that surrounds what you are learning. It helps your ability to recall and use the content in creative ways to solve complex issues.

2. Create a goal for the study session.

Setting a clear goal for each study session is a cornerstone of effective learning, guiding your focus and efforts toward meaningful progress. This approach resonates deeply with deliberate practice, a term popularized by psychologist K. Anders Ericsson, renowned for his work on the science of expertise. Deliberate practice is not just about the quantity of time spent learning but the quality and intentionality behind it. It emphasizes focused, goal-oriented practice to improve performance continuously. Think of this as a foundational step to effective learning.

3. Predict what you will learn.

Predicting plays a pivotal role in the learning process, serving as a powerful tool to prime the brain for new information and reinforce memory retention. By predicting what you're about to learn or what might be asked of you in a test or discussion, you're not just passively receiving information; you're actively engaging with it even before you acquire the knowledge. Robert and Elizabeth Bjork, renowned researchers in the field of learning and memory, emphasize this in their concept of "desirable difficulties." They argue that making learning slightly challenging, such as through prediction, enhances long-term retention and understanding. It's a process that compels learners to extract and apply their existing knowledge, thereby deepening their comprehension and ability to recall information.

Echoing this sentiment, educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom suggests that the act of prediction engages higher-order cognitive processes, such as analysis and synthesis, which are essential for deep learning. He asserts that when learners predict, they are not just guessing; they are formulating hypotheses based on their current knowledge, thereby setting the stage for more meaningful and active learning experiences. This active engagement is crucial in an AI-driven educational landscape, where information is abundant, and the real challenge is in synthesizing and applying this information effectively. By incorporating prediction into your study routine, you're not just preparing to absorb new information; you're also honing your ability to interconnect concepts and think critically.

4. Use AI to quiz you and give you feedback.

This is a particularly useful technique in the process of learning, thanks to AI. After you set your goal for the session and predict what you will learn, you can then begin learning by having a generative AI tool quiz you and give you feedback on the content you are about to learn. Yes, this does sound backward. By doing this, you are engaging your previous knowledge and experience. This helps you to create networks and contextualize the new knowledge or skills you are learning with your previous knowledge and experience. That is a long-winded way of saying it helps the learning stick. Academics like to say it creates durable learning.

When you answer a question before learning the content, it does not matter if you get the answer correct. The beauty is in the thought required to come up with the answer and the microlearning you get when the AI tool gives you the reason behind the correct answer.

Here is a prompt you can use: Utilizing the content I provided, ask me a multiple-choice question on the content. Pause until I respond. After I respond, give me the correct answer and a brief explanation of why it is the right answer. Do this for three iterations.

5. Have AI summarize the content you are learning.

Many tools can easily summarize content. I use Merlin as a Google Chrome extension to help me with this. You can also use tools such as ChatGPT or Copy.AI. More tools are coming out every day. Using these tools to summarize content for us continually builds on the process we create with the goal, prediction, quizzing, and microlearning.

Now, we are ready to read, watch, listen, or interact with the content in whatever form it comes in. These first 5 steps can be accomplished in 10 minutes, exponentially amplifying your learning and retention.

This process effectively gives you the ability to learn more and study less. Think of it as a superpower.

6. Acquire the content.

Now it is time to get the content. You have already been acquiring the content, so this part of acquiring is what we normally think of when we think of learning or studying. Now you read the content if it is in written form or interacts with the content in whatever way is needed for you to get the content. In the case of this blog, it is written, so you are reading it.

Did you know that re-reading content is almost as effective as not re-reading the content? Doing nothing is almost as good as re-reading something.

7. Create microlearning.

This actually goes along with step 6, Acquire. It is important enough to give it its' own section. Our working memory is short. We want to use this to our advantage. Let's say you have to read an article. If you want to maximize your retention read 2 - 3 paragraphs and then ask yourself test questions about it and self-explain. These two actions help to maximize your retention. Self-explaining deserves its' own section as well so it is coming up.

The questions you ask can be directly about the content or even go to a higher level of learning where we move to connect the content with our previous experience (connecting again). Ask: How can I use this in...? What would be a good test question for this?

8. Self-explain or teach the content.

The Feynman Technique, named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, is an approach to learning that underscores the connection between teaching and understanding. Feynman believed that the essence of true comprehension lies in the ability to explain complex ideas in simple terms. According to this technique, if you want to master a topic, you should try teaching it to someone else, or even to yourself, as if explaining it to a beginner. This process involves four key steps: choosing a concept, teaching it to someone in simple language, reviewing areas where your understanding is lacking, and simplifying and organizing the information into a coherent narrative.

This method is powerful because it forces you to confront your knowledge gaps and to clarify your thinking. In Feynman's view, complexity and jargon are often masks for a lack of deep understanding. By attempting to teach a concept, you are compelled to strip it down to its most fundamental principles, ensuring that you truly grasp the material at its core. Moreover, this technique aligns with the constructivist theory of learning, which posits that learners construct knowledge most effectively by actively participating in the learning process. In teaching, you re-engage with the material, reorganize it in your own mind, and, importantly, learn by filling in the gaps in your own understanding. Thus, the Feynman Technique is not merely a study method; it's a lens through which to view learning—a pathway to deeper comprehension, creativity, and retention of knowledge.

9. Don't cram, distribute the practice with AI.

Distributed practice, also known as spaced repetition, is a learning technique that involves spreading out study sessions over time, rather than cramming all study into one intense session. This approach is rooted in the spacing effect, a phenomenon where learning is more effective when study sessions are spaced out over time. The importance of distributed practice in the learning process is underscored by extensive research, suggesting that this technique significantly enhances the long-term retention of information. By allowing time between study sessions, distributed practice encourages the brain to consolidate information and build upon previously learned material. It's not merely about repetition; it's about giving the brain the necessary time to process and link new knowledge with existing knowledge. This method leverages the natural learning rhythms of the brain, promoting deeper cognitive processing and making learning more durable and effective.

Moreover, distributed practice aligns with the concept of "forgetting to learn." When we allow some forgetting to occur between study sessions, recalling the information becomes a more effortful process, which, paradoxically, makes the learning stronger. This retrieval practice strengthens the neural pathways associated with the information, making it more accessible and easier to recall in the future. In an age where information overload is common, distributed practice offers a structured and scientifically backed approach to learning, ensuring that the effort you put into studying translates into lasting knowledge and understanding. It's a testament to the idea that timing is not just a factor but a powerful strategy when it comes to learning.

Wrap it up

There are many different ways to study. This process is a quick and efficient way of increasing your learning while lowering the effort you must put into the learning process.

What are some ways that you prefer to study? Let me know in the comments.