I have a confession to make, "I LOVE books" especially ones with the promise of learning something by the end. But to be honest I am quite disappointed with the quality of resources I find on my weekly trips to the book store and I will tell you why.
Reference books are not the best learning tools available, however, they are what dominate the book market.
Reference books are not the best learning tools available, however, they are what dominate the book market.
From my experience and what I have read, reference materials, are just that. They are not useful for learning unless you do something with them.
What do I mean by reference materials? Anything with a one way flow of information. This includes:
Note: Lectures and movies are not books but they are common examples of one way information
What do I mean by reference materials? Anything with a one way flow of information. This includes:
- Dictionaries
- Word lists
- Grammar books
- Lectures*
- Movies*
Note: Lectures and movies are not books but they are common examples of one way information
What I see in the book stores are just this, one way, passive, difficult to learn from books. Because of this I believe many people are wasting money buying resources to learn from. Many of the books may have good information, but are presented in an ineffective way.
Why are they not useful you ask? As far as current research says, learning must be "effort full" to transport information from working memory into long-term storage. This is why sleep learning does not work. Thus if you are not using the information your receiving, it is not going to sink in. This is also why textbooks and classroom teachings effect is dependant upon
a) The quality of instruction/Information.
b) Commitment and diligence of student.
Why are they not useful you ask? As far as current research says, learning must be "effort full" to transport information from working memory into long-term storage. This is why sleep learning does not work. Thus if you are not using the information your receiving, it is not going to sink in. This is also why textbooks and classroom teachings effect is dependant upon
a) The quality of instruction/Information.
b) Commitment and diligence of student.
How to spot a REFERENCE book
☆Lack of questions
This is the first and foremost warning sign that you have in your hands a reference book.
☆Alphabetical/ Theme based order
This is the second warning sign, as the author is grouping material in an easy to FIND fashion rather than an easy to learn from fashion.
☆No Chapters
Some reference books have chapters so beware!
This is the first and foremost warning sign that you have in your hands a reference book.
☆Alphabetical/ Theme based order
This is the second warning sign, as the author is grouping material in an easy to FIND fashion rather than an easy to learn from fashion.
☆No Chapters
Some reference books have chapters so beware!
How to get your Money back
This really depends on the book, but you are only going to be able to get your money's worth by digesting the information into a practicable form and then practising it. I will give you an example below:
Dictionaries/ word lists
ー next to words partially learned or not confident with.
・ next to words you are confident with.
Dictionaries/ word lists
- Separate words you want/ need to learn from the rest.
ー next to words partially learned or not confident with.
・ next to words you are confident with.
- Using flash cards reviewing no more than 7 cards at a time/ Anki practice words.
- Rehearse by reading example sentences offered in the reference book
CHECK-LIST for choosing a book
- Are you looking for a reference book? or book to learn from?
- Is the information/ explanation presented in a easy to understand manner?
- Does it have Questions? How are you going to practice the information?
Books i have been DECEIVED by in the past
All these books are WONDERFUL reference books, however they are not so good when it comes to learning from, that is a different story.