Memory systems and problem-solving practice | Patreon

One problem with most discussion around memory systems is: the real goal isn’t to remember answers on flashcards; it’s to expand your capacity to think and act in the world. Sure, your app says you can remember this set of cards for months. But what does that mean in terms of what you can do, thoughts you can think? The connection is far from clear. If our goal is to produce real-world capacity, rather than rote recall, how should memory systems be used, designed, redefined? I’ve wanted to dig into these questions for years, but I’ve found it quite tough to establish an effective experimental context. Happily, this month, I’ve been able to watch closely as a student struggles to transfer knowledge from his memory system practice to complex problem solving. I’ve been acting as a “personal learning assistant” for “Alex”, an adult learner studying physics in service of a meaningful project. We talk every day or two about problems and progress in his learning journey; I listen in on his tu

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• Judah Newman