From 94f23f4da6b63c988d52205949a303f6fb4787c7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Nicky Case Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2018 16:37:01 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] FULL --- ch2.html | 1 - full.html | 2199 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ sims/leitner/index.html | 10 +- sims/leitner/leitner.css | 2 +- 4 files changed, 2206 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-) create mode 100644 full.html diff --git a/ch2.html b/ch2.html index afc6b4b..36ac6b1 100644 --- a/ch2.html +++ b/ch2.html @@ -712,7 +712,6 @@ Early feedback helps me a lot. Many thanks in advance! -
diff --git a/full.html b/full.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6b8a255 --- /dev/null +++ b/full.html @@ -0,0 +1,2199 @@ + + + + + An Interactive Comic + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + In Greek mythology, Mnemosyne, the goddess of Memory... + + + ...was the mother of the Muses, the goddesses of inspiration. + + + + + + +So, how's Memory and Inspiration doing in schools? + + + + + + + + + + + + Yeah. + + + Not only are common practices like lectures, re-reading, and highlighting boring, + science has shown they don't even work well.* + + + + + +* all sources and links will be at the end of this comic! + + + + + + + But what if I said there's a way to learn + that's evidence-based and fun? + + + What if I said there's a memory card game you can play, for 20 minutes a day, + to store anything you choose into long-term memory, forever? + + + + + + + + + + + + + + And it's awesome. + I started using Spaced Repetition earlier this year to learn French. + + + In two months, I learnt more words than I did in two years + of high school classes. + + + + + + + Since then, I've used Spaced Repetition to remember all sorts of things... + + + ...and this lil' memory card game became a core part of my life. + + + + + + + In short, Spaced Repetition = testing + time. + + + You test yourself on a fact again and again, spacing out your repetitions over time. + (Wouldn't this take forever? Ah, but as we'll see later, there's a trick...) + + + + + + + Spaced Repetition is free, evidence-based, and so simple you can do it with a shoebox. + + + So, what's the catch? Why isn't everyone already doing Spaced Repetition? + + + + + + + Well, the catch is that making any new habit is hard + – especially a weird habit like Spaced Repetition. + + + That's why I made this badly-drawn interactive comic. + + + + + + + In this comic on Spaced Repetition, + I'll show you WHY it works, HOW it works... + + + ...and help you get started with it TODAY. + + + + + + + + +Also, throughout this comic, +you can test yourself on what you've learnt, +at spaced-out intervals. +That is: you'll use Spaced Repetition to learn about Spaced Repetition. + +

+Like so: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Still, isn't "rote memorization" bad? + Can't we look everything up these days? + Shouldn't we learn creativity & critical thinking instead? + + + There is no "instead". + Cognitive science shows + you need memorization for creativity & critical thinking. + (Imagine writing an essay if you know no words!) + + + + + + + Spaced Repetition isn't a "study trick". + It isn't a "life hack". + + + It's a way to take back control of your mind. + To make long-term memory a choice. + To develop a lifelong love of learning... + + + + + + + ...to mother your own, inner Muse. + + + Let's begin. + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+
+ THE SCIENCE + + of + +
+ SPACED REPETITION +
+ +
+ +
+ + + + + + + In 1885, Hermann Ebbinghaus performed an act of scientific masochism. + + + The German psychologist memorized thousands of nonsense words, + recorded how much he forgot over time, and discovered... + + + + + + + THE FORGETTING CURVE + + + He found that you forget most of what you learn in the first 24 hours, + then – if you don’t practice recall – your remaining memories decay exponentially. + + + + + + + Since then, Ebbinghaus’s findings have been replicated again and again– + + + –and grew into a whole new scientific field of memory! + + + + + + Here’s a playable simulation of the Forgetting Curve. + Change the rate of memory decay. What happens to the curve? + + + + + + + + + + + + As you can see, the less the decay, the flatter the curve – + that is, the longer the memory lasts. + + + + + + +How fast a person’s memory decays depends on the person and the memory... + + + + + + +But, in general, a memory’s “rate of decay” slows down each time you actively recall it. + + + + + + +(although, when you stop practicing, it still decays.) + + + + + + Here’s the simulation again, with a single active recall session. +
+ (grey line: what memory would've been without the recall) +
+ Change the recall timing to see how it affects the curve: + + + + + + + + + + + + A single recall boosts memory for a bit... but in the long run, + due to exponential decay of memory, a single recall changes nothing. + + + + + + + Is there a better way to learn? + There is! The trick to remembering... + + + ...is to almost forget. + + + + + + +To understand this, think about training your muscles. +You’ll gain nothing with a weight that’s too easy... + + + + + + +...nor one that’s too hard. + + + + + + +The same’s true of training your brain. +You need desirable difficulty: the sweet spot of just-hard-enough. + + + + + + + Therefore: to best learn something, you need to recall it... + + + ...just as you’re about to forget it. + + + + + + Same simulation as before, but now it shows the sweet spot – + where you’ve forgotten just a little bit. + Put the recall in the middle of the sweet spot. What happens? + + + + + + + + + + + + See? If you time a recall so that it's right in the sweet spot, + you can slow the decay by a lot! + Now, what about multiple recalls? + + + + + + +Let’s say you’re +lazy +time-efficient, so you’re only doing 4 recall sessions. + + +Question: +what’s the best way to spread out your recalls? + + + + + + +Should you have evenly spaced gaps? +Gaps of increasing length? +Gaps of decreasing length? +Or make it unpredictable, to keep you on your toes? + + + + + +Give it your best guess, +then when you’re ready, flip the card over ↓ + + + + + + + + + + + Which is very counter-intuitive! + You can prove to yourself this is true, by playing with the sim below. + + Get all recalls into the middle of the sweet spot. + What spacing do you get? + + + + + + + + + + + + + (To prove this isn't a fluke, + here’s a sim where you can change + the initial memory decay & sweet spot. + Note how, in all but the extreme cases, + the best schedule is still “increasing gaps”!) + + + + + + + + + + + + + Why must the gaps increase? + Because: each time you do a recall at the sweet spot of forgetting, + the memory’s decay slows down... + + + ...meaning it’ll take longer + to hit the sweet spot next time! + + + + + + +But you know what’s sweeter? +This also means if you time your recalls just right... + + +...you can easily keep any number of things in your long-term memory, +FOREVER. + + + + + + + + + +And speaking of doing active recall in order to learn, +let's do some active recall on what we just learnt: + + + + + + + + + + +Anyway, this all sounds great, +but finding the optimal schedule must be impossible, right? + + + + + + +Au contraire! +It’s so simple, you can even create your own automatic scheduler... + + + + + + +...using a shoebox. + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+
+ THE ART + + of + +
+ SPACED REPETITION +
+ +
+ +
+ + + + + + + You don't have to use a shoebox for Spaced Repetition, + but it's funnier if you do. + + + (Later, we'll look at some Spaced Repetition apps, + like Anki & Tinycards) + + + + + + + This setup is called The Leitner Box. + It's like a card game you play against yourself! + + + First, divide your box up into seven "Levels". + + + + + + + All new flashcards start at Level 1. + + + (If you're new to Spaced Repetition, I recommend starting with 5 new cards a day.) + + + + + + + When you review a card, and get it right, it moves up one Level. + + + (If you're at the final Level, congrats! + Your card gets to retire in your long-term memory) + + + + + + + But if you review a card, and get it wrong... it has to go + all the way back down to Level 1. + + + (If it's already at Level 1, good news: + you can keep testing yourself on it until you get it right, + and move it up to Level 2) + + + + + + + But when do we review cards? + That's the trick. + In the Leitner Box, we review Level 1 cards every day, + Level 2 every two days, Level 3 every FOUR days, + Level 4 every EIGHT days, etc... + + + The pattern is: we double the gap (# of days between reviews) for each Level! + + + + + + Here's what the looping 64-day game calendar looks like: + + + + + + + + + + + (Note: the reason we review Level 1 at the end + is so you see your new cards and the cards you forgot from higher Levels.) + + + (At the end of a daily game of Spaced Repetition, + leave no cards in Level 1. + Test yourself until you can get them all right, + and move them up to Level 2!) + + + + + + + (Note #2: Spaced Repetition apps like Anki use a more sophisticated algorithm...) + + + (...but at its core, it works on the same principles as the Leitner Box) + + + + + + And that's all to it! + Here's how the game plays out, step by step: + (This sim has no end. Once you "get it", just keep scrolling.) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Each daily review takes 20-30 minutes. + Instead of watching a TV episode, you could play a card game – + and remember anything you want for life. + + + + + + + However, habits are hard. If you start big, you won't get the ball rolling... + + + But if you start small, you can gain momentum, + and roll your snowball bigger and bigger. + + + + + + + That's why I recommend starting with 5 new cards a day. + + + Once you're comfortable with that, you can do 10 new cards/day. + Then 15. Then 20, 25, 30. + + + And at 30 new cards a day, you can learn 10,000+ new facts/words/etc a year. + + + + + + Here's how it plays out, in the long, long run. + Use this to calculate in advance how much you can learn with Spaced Repetition! + + + + + + + + + + + + + + That's it. That's how you can make long-term memory a choice. + + + Let's let that sink in. Take a break, and recall what we just learnt: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + (TODO: Include practice flashcards from Chapter 1) +

+ Spaced Repetition almost seems too good to be true. +
+ And it is... IF you fall for some very common pitfalls. + + + + + + + Memory isn't a bookshelf + where you collect random giant tomes to impress others. + + + That's to say: Spaced Repetition will fail if your cards feel + bloated, disconnected or meaningless. + + + + + + + Instead, memory is like a jigsaw puzzle: full of small, connected pieces. + (This is also how neurons work: lots of small, connected things) + + + It's not about collection, it's about connection. + + + + + + + Thus, to get the most out of Spaced Repetition, + you must make your cards... + + + + + + + + Let's see how. + + + + + + + + + + + + + This card sucks: + + + + + + + + + + + It's too big. Too much information. + + + Let's cut it up into smaller, connected pieces! + As a rule of thumb, each flashcard should have one & only one idea. + Like so: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Facts connect to facts. + But there's other, more playful ways for cards to be... + + + + + + + + + + + + + + This card is... alright. + It's an English word on the front, French word on the back. + It's the standard for most language-learning flashcards: + + + + + + + + + + + But you know what would make it stick in memory better? + + + If you connected it to + pictures, sounds, context, and/or personal details! + Like so: + + + + + + + + + + + The front now has a drawing of a cat (picture) + with a fill-in-the-blank French sentence (context: grammar) + about my childhood cat, Stripes. (personal) + + + + + + + The back now has a symbol of the noun's gender (picture), + its pronunciation (sound*), + and a warning about the female version of the noun. (context: slang) + + + * Obviously, paper cards can't play sounds. + But apps like Anki/Tinycards can! + + + + + + + But the most important connection of all, + is to connect your learning to something that is... + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Personally, here's how I've learnt best: + First, I try (emphasis on try) to do something. + + + + + + + Inevitably, I'll get stuck. + In that moment, I'll look up what I need, + and learn something. + + + + + + + + + + And so on. + + + + + + + That, I believe, is the best way to keep yourself motivated while learning: + + + By making sure your learning is in service of doing something you care about. + + + + + + + + Speaking of learning, let's practice recalling what we've learnt: + (this will be the second-last time!) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The consensus in the Spaced Repetition community is, + after a while, you should make your own cards. + + + That way, you can connect facts to what you know, what you love. + + + + + + + That's why, in the final part of this interactive comic, + you're going to make your own cards! + + + And those cards will be about... + + + + + + + YOU + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
+
+ GET STARTED TODAY! +
+ +
+ +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + To help you get started with Spaced Repetition today, + you need to answer four questions: + + + + + +You'll answer these questions by making flashcards! +So, here's the front of our first flashcard, our first question: + + + + + + + + + + + + + For example, you could use Spaced Repetition to help you learn... + + + a new language + + + a new instrument + + + computer programming + + + details of friends' lives + + + anything interesting you find, anywhere! + + + all the pokémon + + + Now, you write your answer on the back: + + + + + + + + + + +(note: you can scroll back here & change your answer later) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + However, recall that for Spaced Repetition to work, + you need to connect it to something you care about. + So our next question is: + + + + + + + + + + + + + That may be too philosophical, so here's some + concrete examples of a why behind a what: + + + WHAT: a new language +
+ WHY: to speak to friends, family, lovers in their native tongue + + + WHAT: computer programming +
+ WHY: to make money so you can eat + + + WHAT: anything interesting +
+ WHY: curiosity, for its own sake! + + + So... what's your why? + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + You now have your what and why... but we still need to pick a how! + That is, what tool/app do you want to use? + Our next card asks: + + + + + + + + + + + + + I currently use + The Leitner Box, + but many of my friends use + Anki, + and for a while I used + TinyCards. + Here's how they compare: + + + Leitner Box +
+ Pros: arts-and-craftsy, easy to use +
+ Cons: not as portable as an app + + + Anki (app) +
+ Pros: huge community, open-source, lots of powerful features +
+ Cons: kinda ugly + + + TinyCards (app) +
+ Pros: beautiful design, easy to use +
+ Cons: max 150 cards per deck, doesn't let you decide if you got a card right + + + (Want something else? + Here's a few other tools: + SuperMemo, + NimbleNotes, + Mnemosyne) + + + * anti-disclaimer: i am not affiliated with any of these. + i just think they're cool & helpful! + + + + + + So, what's it gonna be? + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Just one card left! + Now: doing Spaced Repetition is actually quite easy... + however, doing it as a daily habit is hard. + + + Why? Because getting the ball rolling on any new habit is hard. + + + + + + + Hard, but straightforward. + The science of habits shows that if you do the same thing, given the same cue, + over and over... + + + ...it'll become a habit, for better or worse. + So for a Spaced Repetition habit, our question is: + + + + + + + + + + + + + For example, you could play the Spaced Repetition game... + + + + It doesn't really matter when you do it, as long as you do it + daily and consistently (more or less - you can skip a day once in a while). + + + + + + + (Tip: whenever I try to create a new habit, + I draw a circle on a calendar for each day I successfully do it) + + + (It's a game I play with myself! The goal is to try not break + my streak, and build the longest chain I can.) + + + + + + Now, let's fill out that final flashcard: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Et voilà, here's all four of your flashcards, all about you! + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

+ + + + + But like I said, I want to help you take control of your memory today. + + + Not "eventually", not "tomorrow", TODAY. + + + + + + + so to help... + + + let's download some + + COOL GOODIES + + + + + + + + + + FIRST: + + to remind you to play the Spaced Repetition game daily! + + + +
+ +
+(click to download ↓) + +
+ + + + + + + SECOND: + + + + + + + + + + + And finally, + THIRD: + a .zip of all the flashcards you've been practicing in this interactive comic! + + + + + + + + + + (These can be your first few days' worth of Spaced Repetition cards, + to help you get started! And as a plus, you'll get to remember everything + you learnt here today, forever) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Which reminds me... + + + one last goodbye, + for old time's sake, + the final swan song! + + + ...let's review our flashcards, all of them: + + + + + + + + + + + Sniff... + It's always so hard to say goodbye... + + + + + + + HONK + + + + + + + I'll miss the time we had together... + + + ...but I hope we live on in each others' memories! + + + + + + + + + If you're a student, I hope Spaced Repetition + helps you be more confident, and take learning into your own hands. + + + + + + + If you're a teacher, + please oh please tell your students about Spaced Repetition + (& other evidence-based study habits) early on. + + + + + + + But whether you're in or out of school, + I hope Spaced Repetition helps you develop your memory, your mind, + your Muse... + + + + + + + ...and learn one of life's greatest loves: + + + a lifelong love of learning. + + + + + + + + + + + + + (want more? scroll down for further reading & credits!) +
+ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + Intro + +· + + The Science + +· + + The Art + +· + + Get Started! + +· + + Credits + + + + + + try to recall ↑ + then flip ↻ + + + (cards left: [N]) + + + did you remember this? + + + nah, try again + + + yup, onwards! + + + done for now! keep scrolling +
+ ↓ + + + that's all, folks! keep scrolling +
+ ↓ + + + + + +
+ and the name of this game is... +
+ + +
+
+ SPACED REPETITION +
+ + +
+ Spaced Repetition = ____ + ____ +
+ + +
+
+ testing + time +
+ + +
+ 3 common but ineffective learning/teaching practices are... +
+ + +
+ ...lectures, re-reading, and highlighting +
+ + +
+ In Greek Mythology, + the goddess of ____ + was the mother of the goddesses of + ________ +
+ + +
+
+ Memory is the mother of Inspiration +
+ + + + + + strength of memory → + + + time → + + + decay: + + + sweet spot: + + + timing of recall: + + + timing of recalls: + + + auto-optimize! + + + + +
+ the best way to space out your recalls is... +
+ + +
+
+ ...with increasing gaps! +
+ + + + +
+ The discoverer of the Forgetting Curve was... +
+ + +
+
+ Hermann Ebbinghaus +
+ + +
+ The Forgetting Curve (without any recalls) looks like... +
+ + +
+
+ (note: it decays quickly, then slowly – "exponential decay") +
+ + +
+ The Forgetting Curve (with optimally-spaced recalls) looks like... +
+ + +
+
+ (note: the gaps between recalls increase in length) +
+ + + + + + + + + On Day [N]... + + + review Levels [N] (in that order) + + + (and then loop back to Day 1!) + + + + + + + + + + + Day [N] + + + to review: Level + + + review Level [N] + + + add [N] new cards + + + total: [N] cards! + + + ([N] retired) + + + + + next step + + + next day + + + next week + + + next month + + + + + [N] new cards a day + + + recall [N]% of cards wrong + + + + + RESET + + + + + + + + + +
+
+ cat +
+
+ (english) +
+
+ + +
+
+ chat +
+
+ (french) +
+
+ + +
+
+ + +
+
+ +
+ + + +
+
+ ...then back to doing... ↻ +
+ + +
+
+ ...then back to learning... ↻ +
+ + + + +
+
+ What's this? +
+ + +
+ This organelle is called "mitochondria". + Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. + They're found in almost all eukaryotic (nucleus-having) organisms. + The most widely-accepted hypothesis for the origin of mitochondria is Endosymbiotic Theory: + around ~1.5 billion years ago, a prokaryotic (nucleus-lacking) cell that was "eaten" by another cell, + somehow survived, and has continued to live inside them ever since. +
+ + +
+
+ What's this? +
+ + +
+ Mitochondria +
+ + +
+
+ Mitochondria is the _______ of the cell +
+ + +
+ powerhouse + + // bonus note: seriously though, we'd all be dead without 'em. + +
+ + +
+
+ Mitochondria is found in almost all ____ organisms. +
+ + +
+ eukaryotic +
+ + +
+ Eukaryotes are cells that... +
+ + +
+
+ have a nucleus + + // bonus note: "eu"=good, "karyon"=kernel + +
+ + +
+ Prokaryotes are cells that... +
+ + +
+
+ DON'T have a nucleus + + // bonus note: "pro"=before, "karyon"=kernel + +
+ + +
+
+ The most widely-accepted hypothesis for the origin of mitochondria is... +
+ + +
+ Endosymbiotic Theory + + // bonus note: "endo"=inner, "sym"=together, "bio"=living + +
+ + +
+
+ According to Endosymbiotic Theory, mitochondria arose around + ____ years ago +
+ + +
+ ~1.5 billion years ago +
+ + +
+
+ According to Endosymbiotic Theory, mitochondria first arose when... +
+ + +
+
+ when a prokaryote was eaten by another cell +
+ + + + +
+ In the Leitner Box, we ______ + the gap (# of days between reviews) for each Level +
+ + +
+
+ double the gap +
+ + +
+ The Leitner Box game: +
+ when you get a card right, you move it ______ . +
+ + +
+
+ up one Level +
+ + +
+ The Leitner Box game: +
+ when you get a card wrong, you move it ______ . +
+ + +
+
+ back to Level 1! +
+ + +
+ According to some random comic-game on the internet, + my Spaced Repetition flashcards should be + ______ , + ______ , and + ______ . +
+ + +
+
+ small, connected & meaningful +
+ + + + + + + + WHAT: + + + WHY: + + + DO + + + ME! + + + wallpaper + + + a wallpaper for your desktop, + + + a lock-screen wallpaper for your phone, + + + a looping 64-day calendar for your Leitner Box! + (pdf, so you can print it out) + + + a link to + download Anki! + (and here's + a video tutorial + on how to get started) + + + a link to + TinyCards! + (i recommend checking out their + geography decks) + + + links to + the Leitner Box 64-day calendar, + the Anki app, + and TinyCards! + + + + + +
+
+ WHAT do you want to learn? +
+ + +
+ Anything interesting! +
+ + +
+
+ WHY do you want to learn that? +
+ + +
+ For curiosity's sake +
+ + +
+
+ HOW do you want to do Spaced Repetition? +
+ + +
+ Leitner Box +
+ + +
+
+ WHEN do you want to do Spaced Repetition? +
+ + +
+ In the evening +
+ + + + +
+ + +
+
+ THE END +
+ + + + +
  • Anything interesting!
    • +
  • A language
    • +
  • Music
    • +
  • Coding
    • +
  • Personal
    • +
  • (other)
    • +     + +
  • For people I love
    • +
  • For my own sake
    • +
  • For curiosity's sake
    • +
  • (other)
    • +     + +
  • Leitner Box
    • +
  • Anki
    • +
  • TinyCards
    • +
  • (other)
    • +     + +
  • In the morning
    • +
  • On my commute
    • +
  • In the evening
    • +
  • (other)
    • +     + + + + Q: + + + type your answer here + + + or pick one of these suggestions: + + +
    + + + + + + + + + diff --git a/sims/leitner/index.html b/sims/leitner/index.html index fc023d4..f875915 100644 --- a/sims/leitner/index.html +++ b/sims/leitner/index.html @@ -27,13 +27,15 @@
    - -
    + + +
    - -
    + + +
    diff --git a/sims/leitner/leitner.css b/sims/leitner/leitner.css index 3ae7e61..947087e 100644 --- a/sims/leitner/leitner.css +++ b/sims/leitner/leitner.css @@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ input[type=range]{ background: #d3d3d3; outline: none; margin-top: 20px; - margin-bottom: 30px; + margin-bottom: 20px; } input[type=range]::-webkit-slider-thumb{ -webkit-appearance: none;