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Understanding dyslexia
Understanding dyslexia

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4.1 Chunking time

This study technique keeps recall and concentration high, as you can see in Figure 5. Working for a lengthy period with no break will tend to cause recall and concentration to drop dramatically.

Described image
Figure 4 Loss of recall over time (Adapted from Myhill, 2022)
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This is a graph similar to Figure 4. Time is plotted along the x-axis in one hour increments. Recall is plotted on the y-axis, in 25% increments. The graph lines begin at 0 hours with 75% retention. From here, two lines diverge. The first curves down and tapers off at around 35% recall by the two hour point. This is labelled with ‘recall and concentration go down over a period of 2 to 2.5 hours without a break’. The second line begins to curve down, then back up, to create a series of repeating u-shapes over time. This is labelled with ‘5-10 minute breaks + 25-40 minute study sessions keep recall and concentration high’.

Figure 4 Loss of recall over time (Adapted from Myhill, 2022)

Here are some steps for avoiding this drop-off and maintaining recall and concentration.

Step 1

Before commencing any study, set a time window – for instance, two to three hours – and decide how much you would like to cover in this time period. Research suggests that the human brain has a very strong tendency to complete things when it knows the boundaries (Zull, 2011).

Step 2

Set a timer for somewhere around 25 to 40 minutes. When the timer goes off, stop and take a break. Set a 5-10 minute timer for your break, and go and do something different. No longer than 5-10 mins though!

Step 3

When you return to your study, quickly look back over what you’ve just read. This helps to embed the memory and reinforces what you’ve learned so far. Have a quick look over what you are about to study and then start another timer for 25 to 40 minutes.

Step 4

Have another 5-10 minute break, and when you come back, skim over the last two study sessions that you have completed. Repeat this process, and try to complete the time window that you decided on at the beginning.