3 ms·

I wonder if the key is not really handwriting but rather a deliberate summarization, because I always used a computer to do that. I did have a printout of my ow

I wonder if the key is not really handwriting but rather a deliberate summarization, because I always used a computer to do that. I did have a printout of my own summary, of course, so papers may have also helped as well. (I also tended to walk around and mumble a lot when I really need to tackle a hard problem in my head, but not when studying.)

m463 3y ago
I wonder too. I remember doing python the hard way years ago, which encouraged you to type in the example python programs and run them yourself. It made a definite difference to sort of deliberately slow down and absorb during the exercise.
- RetroTechie 3y ago
  That's nothing. Try handcoding machine code some time! Using only pen, paper & cpu datasheet. ;-) If you feel generous, throw in a calculator for offsets or hex/dec conversions etc. If I grow old & senile some day, I'll forget how to wipe my ass before the last Z80 mnemonic slips from my mind.
  - m463 3y ago
    I remember doing that in octal for the PDP-11 - and it was really pretty wonderful. Everything was laid out so cleanly.
vsnf 3y ago
While I'm sure that deliberate summarization and also as a sibling posted, the slowness of the act are parts of it, I strongly suspect the actual mechanism of moving hand across space helps to engrave concepts in the mind. The connection between mind and body is strong. I can only speak to myself of course, but I've found that even quickly, absentmindedly, and imprecisely drawing out items on paper cements ideas in my mind way better than not doing it. I think the same concept applies to typing things out on a computer instead of copy and pasting. Even with minimal front-of-mind attention, the retention rate is stronger. Of course, writing on paper is even better than typing it on a computer. That being said, I wouldn't trade typing on a computer for writing on paper, given the sheer speed I can achieve with one. But if we're limiting ourselves to trying to better increase retention and understanding, then I think pen-on-paper is the most valuable thing one can do.
goldcd 3y ago
I agree - although not sure it's just the summarization, more the translation between 'information schemas' exposes patterns. e.g. I might read a few pages of text and scribble out the key points onto a mind-map I go. Then looking at the shape of what's on the page, normalize it onto a ER diagram on a slide with an accompanying swim-lane diagram showing the process. Each iteration of formatting hopefully progresses the display of the information towards its ideal. You know when it's worked (and when something isn't working out and you need to quit and try something else). To me the benefit of writing is that it makes me deliberately make a decision as to what I transcribe and what I leave out. If I skim read I often find my mind has drifted and I need to turn back some pages. Also, writing takes effort. If you notice you keep writing the same word/phrase, you'll give it an acronym. If you find repetition of concept, maybe you'll just draw an arrow pointing back to the paragraph the concept first came up - and your longhand is starting to turn into the next iteration already.

m463 3y ago

I wonder too. I remember doing python the hard way years ago, which encouraged you to type in the example python programs and run them yourself. It made a definite difference to sort of deliberately slow down and absorb during the exercise.

RetroTechie 3y ago
That's nothing. Try handcoding machine code some time! Using only pen, paper & cpu datasheet. ;-) If you feel generous, throw in a calculator for offsets or hex/dec conversions etc. If I grow old & senile some day, I'll forget how to wipe my ass before the last Z80 mnemonic slips from my mind.
- m463 3y ago
  I remember doing that in octal for the PDP-11 - and it was really pretty wonderful. Everything was laid out so cleanly.

vsnf 3y ago

While I'm sure that deliberate summarization and also as a sibling posted, the slowness of the act are parts of it, I strongly suspect the actual mechanism of moving hand across space helps to engrave concepts in the mind. The connection between mind and body is strong. I can only speak to myself of course, but I've found that even quickly, absentmindedly, and imprecisely drawing out items on paper cements ideas in my mind way better than not doing it. I think the same concept applies to typing things out on a computer instead of copy and pasting. Even with minimal front-of-mind attention, the retention rate is stronger. Of course, writing on paper is even better than typing it on a computer. That being said, I wouldn't trade typing on a computer for writing on paper, given the sheer speed I can achieve with one. But if we're limiting ourselves to trying to better increase retention and understanding, then I think pen-on-paper is the most valuable thing one can do.

goldcd 3y ago

I agree - although not sure it's just the summarization, more the translation between 'information schemas' exposes patterns. e.g. I might read a few pages of text and scribble out the key points onto a mind-map I go. Then looking at the shape of what's on the page, normalize it onto a ER diagram on a slide with an accompanying swim-lane diagram showing the process. Each iteration of formatting hopefully progresses the display of the information towards its ideal. You know when it's worked (and when something isn't working out and you need to quit and try something else). To me the benefit of writing is that it makes me deliberately make a decision as to what I transcribe and what I leave out. If I skim read I often find my mind has drifted and I need to turn back some pages. Also, writing takes effort. If you notice you keep writing the same word/phrase, you'll give it an acronym. If you find repetition of concept, maybe you'll just draw an arrow pointing back to the paragraph the concept first came up - and your longhand is starting to turn into the next iteration already.