What is accelerated learning?

When we 'learn' in ordinary situations (with a book or a teacher), we are actually using less than 20% of our brain's capacity. Our learning potential isn't fixed. Intelligence is a group of abilities that can be developed.

Accelerated learning, also known as 'super-learning' or 'brain-friendly learning', is a system designed to help people of all ages learn more and retain more by using the whole of the brain.

Left- and right-brain thinking

Traditional methods of learning concentrate on the left side of the brain (which controls our powers of language, logic and sequencing) more than the right side (which deals with forms and patterns, rhythm, space and imagination).

Creating connections between both sides when we learn stimulates electrical-chemical impulses so that our 100 billion active brain cells work harder.

We can learn many things simultaneously like the tune, rhythm and words to a song. This demonstrates that learning is not confined to one part of the brain, but can happen in both parts at once.

Learning by doing

Since we learn to talk by talking, swim by swimming and drive by driving, it makes sense to make learning anything as practical and activity-based as possible. Working collaboratively (in a group) is ideal, because a learning 'community' will have more success than a collection of isolated individuals.

Accelerated learning increases your ability to learn by stimulating your brain to work harder. This can be done by creating new practical learning situations such as using drama to learn about science. If it's done as a group activity, the experience can be fun and rewarding.

For instance, at school students could build a giant floor model of a complex chemical compound, or create a one-minute drama about the life cycle of an insect or a key moment in history. Instead of simply writing about it, students might write a rap song about a complex geographical process.

The experiences will be memorable, so more will be learnt - and that will increase the desire for more learning.

Reviewing learning

Another important aspect of accelerated learning methods is to review new knowledge during the learning process. Studies show that the human brain forgets much of the information it processes during one day if that information isn't reviewed.

To help your child remember what he has learned, encourage him to talk about the main points each day. At the end of each week, get your child to review the main points again. He'll be a step ahead when he comes to revise for exams, too.

Based on an article by Lorna Smith

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