Techniques to become super learners

Kannal Achuthan

Youngsters keen on learning about advanced concepts such as mind mapping

CHENNAI: Goal setting and growth strategies are usually associated with boardroom meetings adult world, but a group of 11 to 15-year-olds discussed them eagerly at a workshop here on Wednesday.

The youngsters were keen on learning about advanced concepts such as mind mapping. They talked about how they could become effective learners.

"Children can become super learners if they pick up a few techniques," said K. Swaminathan, trainer with Aspire Superkidz, agency that conducted the programme. For instance, students can remember lessons better if they worked out pictorial representations of their subjects of study.

Trainer N. Madhumathi said learning life skills such as positive thinking and planning would help students not only at school but would also be useful throughout their lives. With practice, one could learn to anchor one's mind to focus on a given task, she said.

As one takes a while to learn these skills, Aspire has given each student a workbook on self-introspection.

The book includes a study plan section to aid students in preparing for examinations.

"I learnt how to set a goal and work out a plan to achieve it. If the plan does not give results, I don't think of myself as a failure. I know I have to rework the plan," said Hardik M. Bhatt, a class IX student of Kola Saraswathi Senior Secondary School.

In competitive world, where half a mark less than other students can make a huge difference, students said they want to learn techniques to perform better.

Speed reading, learning with mneumonics and creative visualisation were concepts they picked up at the workshop.

G. Esa of P.S. Higher Seconday School said he was thrilled to learn about the power of the brain, which the super computers could not match.

Apart learning techniques, the workshop introduced students to the benefits of positive thinking and the need for better interpersonal relationships.