Two Ways to Use the Smear Method for Teaching
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For a while, the “whistle” method of repeating notes was popular on TikTok, becoming something of a trend to learn. Whether or not it’s currently popular on social media, it’s still a reliable memorization technique that helps cement information into long-term memory.
There are actually two ways to blurt something out while studying, and both are useful for retrieval practice and general memorization, but only if you do it and not scroll, so read this, put your phone down, and get to work.
How to write down multiple study notes
One way to practice blurting while studying is to read through your notes and materials, then put them aside and take a blank sheet of paper. On it, you write down everything you can remember about the topic, which promotes active recall and retrieval of the information.
Don’t worry about how long it will take you the first time. Instead, focus on writing down every detail you can remember. Once you’re done, review your notes and materials to note anything you forgot to include, then write that information down on notepaper with a different color pen. ( The colors you use when taking notes are more important than you might realize. ) Don’t be discouraged if you forget something; this will help you determine which concepts you’ve mastered and which require more practice.
You can repeat this process every time you review or add to your notes, strengthening your memory for new information and practicing retrieving it as needed. This will make it easier to pass the exam when the time comes.
How to blurt out loud
The second method of blurting out essentially involves blurting it out. Instead of writing down everything you can remember, try saying it out loud. Record a voice recording instead of a written one, using the production effect to cement the information in your memory. When you’ve exhausted everything you can say on the topic, go back and listen to the recording again, while reviewing your notes, noting anything you might have missed.
Record yourself sharing all the information you can remember and anything you forgot to say. Ultimately, you’ll create a complete ” personal podcast ” that will be useful for your studies. You can listen to the full recording anywhere, and this will help you not only recite the information out loud but also listen to it again and again.
When to add a little chatter
This is a reliable approach on its own, as it allows you to track your learning in real time. But you can combine it with other learning methods for greater impact.
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Speaking text is a useful component of dual coding , or combining verbal and visual cues while studying. Try speaking the text using visual imagery instead of written explanations, creating a timeline or diagram from memory before comparing your memories with notes or the text. Just remember to leave gaps in the visual imagery so you can easily fill in any information you forget while speaking.
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During an SQ3R study session , when you write down ideas and questions to pay attention to as you read and then review them, you can use speaking the text as part of the recitation (the “R” in SQ3R).
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If you’re following the overlearning model , where you repeat something until it becomes second nature to you, try incorporating a review of the material into your weekly review.
The best part is that it can be combined with other approaches or used alone for a quick brain refresh. TikTok trends come and go, but a quality learning method is forever.