Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer Studying with PR?

Hello!
The subject is pretty self-explaining.

How can someone "study" with Photoreading? Here is my theory. I don't know if this topic was already covered before (probably yes), but I need some feedback to know if my system is good or not

Ok, since Photoreading is a purpose-based, questions-drived system, the goal is to KNOW specific information from a book. This is the same as studying! So let's say I have a philosophy book, or an history book.

This is the system I want to apply :

I treat the individual chapters as single books. I prepare the chapter, photoread the chapter, extract the keywords and then ask my mind probing questions, like for example - studying a chapter about Napoleon - ...

"Who are the main characters?"
"Who is Napoleon?"
"Where does the Waterloo battle toke place?"
"Why Napoleon did this?"
"What is the Italian kingdom?"
"When the battle began?"
"How Napoleon lost the battle?".

....and like magic, when I will able to respond to these question properly, the chapter can be considered studied! I add a mind map, add some other more specific questions if I feel the need, and I'm done. In addition, I can use some memory technique to memorize the keywords and dates. The total time spent should be no more than 30/40 minutes. (If a 200 page book can be
activated in 30 minutes, a 30 page chapter can be fully understood in 30
minutes..or not?)

What do you guys think about this? Any reply from experienced PR students here is appreciated.

Oh, and thanks to AlexK for sending me his great article. It clarified many things.

[This message has been edited by Gianny (edited September 17, 2002).]

You're welcome for the article. I'm glad you found it useful, made it worth writing

Your approach to study is sound and yes a 30 page chapter can be fully activated within 30 minutes or less. Perhaps it sounds too simple yet that is what gaining useable information from a book is all about.

The fine tuning would be up to the individual. You know the best way to find out if it works? Try it and see.

Alex

I was making a coffee when I realised I overlooked something in your post. Another thought you might like to consider.

Phrase your question 2 to 4 ways.
E.g. Who are the main characters
You might want to also add,
What roles did the main characters play?
How did the main characters become involved?

E.g. Where does the Waterloo battle take place? you could add
Why did the Waterloo battle take place?
What was the reason/purpose for the Waterloo battle?
When did the actual Waterloo battle take place?

Eg.What is the Italian kingdom you could add
Where is/was the the Italian kingdom?
When did the Italian kingdom start/end?
How did the Italian kingdom come about?

Some of the questions might prove redundant or even not be answered in that particular text. The reason for restating the question a couple of ways is to open the mind to covering more gound. I know it seems like extra work however after time your inner mind starts looking for answers to questions in this way... you may not even realise that you are asking the questions.

While superreading and dipping you may answer all three or four questions in one hit. As well as finding answers to questions you didn't quite form that way. You don't necessarily SR and Dip for each one.. you formed cluster questions and find cluster answers.

Of course by forming your questions in multiple ways you'll find more in the book and might be spending more time at it. However it probably what makes the difference between 70% comprehension and 90% comprehension. Information gathered this way usually stays with you longer especially if you put the key thoughts onto a mind map.

One of the methods is to list all the questions on one edge of your mind map. It comes in handy later for pre exam review later, when you fold the edge under, read the questions check if you know the answer if not... look at your mind map for any that you've missed. Naturally delete any questions that were redundant. If your mind map is for a certain chapter in the book make a note of the pages on the mind map. If, in reviewing you find you missed something, a photoread of that section may trigger the memory... if not another SR and dip surely will. This would probably take all of 10 minutes. A small investment prior to an exam.

Alex

*emerging from lurker mode*

Reading Gianny's post I thought where are the "Why" questions, since these are my favourite. Then I thought of probing, layer and question order. "I" see the What and How questions as the primary (lowest detailed) questions and should be asked when doing the first layer. The Who, When and Where will add more detail. And my favourite question "Why" will demonstrate true comprehension..... Just try a Why question on a math text.

*returns to regular reader mode*