←back to thread

395 points pseudolus | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0.527s | source
Show context
pugio ◴[] No.43636789[source]
I've used AI for one of the best studying experiences I've had in a long time:

1. Dump the whole textbook into Gemini, along with various syllabi/learning goals.

2. (Carefully) Prompt it to create Anki flashcards to meet each goal.

3. Use Anki (duh).

4. Dump the day's flashcards into a ChatGPT session, turn on voice mode, and ask it to quiz me.

Then I can go about my day answering questions. The best part is that if I don't understand something, or am having a hard time retaining some information, I can immediately ask it to explain - I can start a whole side tangent conversation deepening my understanding of the knowledge unit in the card, and then go right back to quizzing on the next card when I'm ready.

It feels like a learning superpower.

replies(2): >>43639232 #>>43640551 #
azemetre ◴[] No.43640551[source]
Flash cards are some of the least effective ways to learn FYI and retain info.
replies(4): >>43640728 #>>43642153 #>>43646683 #>>43649830 #
1. ramblerman ◴[] No.43640728[source]
I'll bite. Would you care to back that up somehow? Or at least elaborate.

Spaced repetition as it's more commonly known has been quite studied, and is anecdotally very popular on HN and reddit. Albeit more for some subject than others

replies(1): >>43649802 #
2. azemetre ◴[] No.43649802[source]
Give me another day and I'll respond in full; but my thesis is taken from the book "Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning" which was written by a group of neuro- and cognitive scientists on what are the most effective ways to learn.

The one chapter that stood out very clear, especially in a college setting, was how inefficient flash cards were compare to other methods like taking a practice exam instead.

There are a lot of executive summaries on the book and I've posted comments in support of their science backed methods as well.

It's also something I'm personally testing myself this year regarding programming since I've had great success doing their methods in other facets of my life.