The Leitner method is a study technique based on cards that turns memorization into a game. What are you waiting for to try it? Language, Math, Science, Study Techniques, Geography...
They should teach us study techniques since we are young with much more interest, because it's not just about passing tests and levels, but about learning and knowing how to find information. With good study techniques, varied and established from a young age, we could get much more out of everything we learn, but if they don't give us things done, we'll have to do them ourselves. Nothing better than having a good repertoire of study techniques so that we can study in the most efficient way and get our university
eTítulo without so much stress.
What is the Leitner method?
As we said, the more study techniques we know, the better. And if they also allow us to turn what could be several days of maximum boredom into hours of playing and competing against ourselves or against others, even better. That's what this method is about: a very simple, but very effective study technique created by Sebastian Leitner in 1972. Leitner was a psychologist, military, writer and journalist, so it's clear that his own study method gave him good results. Basically, the Leitner method uses a memorization strategy based on the game through a series of cards and three containers where we will classify them. The interesting thing about this method is its simplicity: we create cards with questions and answers and classify them into three boxes according to how well we know them. That easy.
Pros and cons of the Leitner method
Perhaps its biggest flaw is that it requires us to have time to prepare everything well. It's a bit DIY and, if we are very perfectionists, that will delay us. But if we are able to not get obsessed with the idea that the cards must be beautiful or that the boxes must be the same size and wrapped in gift paper, then it's a great, very useful and fun study technique. One of its best advantages, in addition to how easy it is to memorize when studying with question and answer techniques, is that it saves us a lot of unnecessary reviews thanks to the classification system of the boxes. Let's see how it works to understand it better.
The Leitner method step by step
1. Materials: In addition to the study material (obviously), we will also need highlighters, cardboard cards and three boxes or containers.
2. Comprehension reading and underlining: There is no technique that can save us from this. It is necessary to read the material well, doing a
comprehension reading and underlining those things that are important. We need to focus on finding the main ideas of the text and extract all those points that could become an exam question.
3. Fill in the cards: After reading or during it, we must fill in the cards. On one side, we will put all the questions that we think could be on the exam after reading the syllabus. The more thorough we are, the better. On the other side, we must write down the answer. Although this process may seem arduous at first, the reality is that it replaces all the summaries and outlines that we usually do, so all the writing and rewriting of what we study will be done almost without realizing it while we complete the cards.
4. The 3 boxes: It doesn't matter if they are shoe boxes or kitchen containers. If they have different sizes or are the same. What we should pay attention to is that all the cards fit in each of them. The boxes must be distinguished or numbered. We will place the cards in them according to how well we know them.
5. Studying while playing: The Leitner method allows us to study alone, like in a Trivial Pursuit where we ask ourselves questions or in a group, collaboratively (some ask others, take turns and help) or competing against our classmates (the one with the most correct answers wins). The dynamics of the boxes is simple: at the beginning, all the cards will go into box 1. We choose one of them at random and try to answer it. If we fail or lack information, we put it back in the same box. If we have been able to give the correct answer, the card will move to box 2. Once we finish with the first box, we will move on to review the cards in the second box and those that we know very well will move to the third box. This system allows us to set a review frequency for each box: box 1 is the one that should be reviewed more frequently because it contains those questions that we still don't know how to answer well. We will dedicate fewer reviews to the second box because it contains the cards that we have answered, although with some doubts. Box 3 is the one we will look at the least because it will contain the questions that we answer effortlessly and completely. The Leitner method is, compared to other more modern methods, somewhat rudimentary. But its effectiveness is well demonstrated. In fact, large teaching platforms, such as
Duolingo, use this method to teach languages. We recommend you try it and we hope you tell us afterwards how it worked for you. Good luck with those exams!
