A good memory is not as good as a bad pen. When studying, it is better to use pen and paper to write down things. This is a truth that everyone knows, but how is it explained in brain science?

A good memory is not as good as a bad pen. It is better to use pen and paper to write down things when studying.

This is a truth that everyone knows, but how is it explained on Brain Science ? Today I will take you to find out.

01

An experiment

Scientists from the University of Tokyo conducted a study and recruited 48 volunteers aged 18-29, divided them into 3 groups on average, and asked them to remember a set of information.

The difference is that the first group used paper and pen, the second group used the calendar app and stylus on the tablet, and the third group used the calendar app on the mobile phone and text input.

Finally, ask them some questions of varying difficulty.

The results showed that the paper-and-pencil memory group had the highest accuracy, and the tablet computer group had the worst accuracy.

Moreover, in the previous memory stage, the paper-and-pencil group also had the shortest memory time. When it comes to complex problems, the paper-and-pencil group also has a deeper understanding of knowledge.

In order to observe the brain conditions during the memory process, the researchers also used MRI during the experiment and found that the brain , hippocampus, and visual areas of the people in the paper and pencil group were more active.

We all know that the hippocampus is mainly responsible for memory, not only short-term memory but also spatial memory function.

When we use paper and pen to write and draw, our hands move from left to right, the pen tip goes from top to bottom, our eyes scan back and forth, etc. These actions can activate the spatial memory ability of the hippocampus, which also means that we can remember Stronger.

How can I say that the understanding is more profound?

02

What is remembered is called information, what is understood is knowledge

Understanding is not a single dimension.

For example, in class, we remembered what the teacher said about the Pythagorean theorem , but when it came time to do the questions, in other words, we would not use the theorem to do the questions.

This means that the transfer of knowledge is not realized, the depth of understanding is not enough, and only one piece of information is remembered.

If you want to be able to apply it, you must first understand it, practice it, find analogies in life, practice it, etc. These are all different ways to activate different brain pathways to achieve the same goal.

When these different paths are combined and integrated, we can understand more deeply.

So in terms of learning methods, it will be helpful for us to adopt more paths.

• Using pen and paper activates more brain pathways.
• Eyes automatically follow the pen tip, and the visual area is activated;
• Writing with a pen, fonts, and silent reading in the mind will activate the language area;
• The movement of writing on paper activates the spatial memory function of the hippocampus;
• The feeling of the hand, and The contact of paper and pen, these physical sensations can also enhance memory.

These many details are used to complete the same task from different angles. Although these paths are not as obvious as practice, exercise, discussion, etc., compared with just listening, compared with using mobile phones and tablets Recording is already a better way to learn.

This once again confirms the saying: slow is fast.

seems to be a stupid, slow and cumbersome method, but there may be a big mystery behind it.

Therefore, don’t be afraid of trouble when studying.

Next let’s talk about how to take notes.

03

How to take notes

In class, there are two most common types of children's notes:

• There are a few words, some are for coping, and some are too crude and too simple;
  • It was so dense that I couldn’t wait for a few pages. After class, I was still complaining that I hadn’t finished memorizing it.

  It seems that the second situation is better, but it is not the case. This kind of child is just pretending to work hard and spends all his energy on taking notes. He fails to keep up with the teacher's rhythm and cannot spare the energy to think.

  A qualified note should include the following three points:

  • Classroom points: summarize the knowledge points of a class, memorize them thoughtfully, and remember them more clearly if they are simple.
    • Summary of keywords: After class, briefly review and write down the keywords, so that you can see the keywords later and think of the whole article, which is helpful for review;
    System of this chapter: the connection between this lesson and other content, the content of this lesson How the ideas unfold.

    In this way, there are records of the knowledge points of this lesson, keywords and summaries for easy retrieval, and ideas organized into a system, which is conducive to the formation of a knowledge system.

    This is also the Cornell note-taking method that is very popular among top students. You can see the picture:

    • The vertical column on the left is used to write questions, ideas, and connections with other content;
    • The wide column on the right is used to record the knowledge of this section. Key points;
    • is used to summarize.

    

    The notes recorded in this way not only have the advantages of paper and pen we mentioned earlier, but also have thinking, summary and system. Can the learning effect be bad?

    Parents can buy some Cornell notebooks for their children. These notebooks are divided and easy to use. They also remind their children to take notes according to the Cornell note-taking method.

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    This is what I will share today, thank you for reading.

    Reference books:

    "Five Learning Hats for Children"

    "Zhuoke·Technology Reference"