Accelerated Learning Techniques: Chunk Mapping & Speed Scanning

If you have been reading around about the different accelerated learning techniques, you might have probably crossed paths with the term, “chunk mapping” and “speed scanning” a few times. Understandably so, these are just two of the many accelerated learning techniques that work very, very well.

Chunk Mapping

Now, the problem is, some resources make out chunk mapping as something complicated. And you know what? Chunk mapping is very simple. It simply relates to you learning new information in different chunk sizes.

If you think about it, we learn the best when we start at very broad levels first and chunk it down to specific topics. Another way to look at it- and this is something people do naturally- is that we look and start with the big picture and as this big picture becomes clearer to us, then; we can start to chunk it down into different specifics.

In short, look at the information as a whole first (summarize it if you want) and break it down to details, into different categories and subcategories.

In this stage, you also need to establish your reasons for learning. Are you learning for school? Do you want to improve your knowledge on a certain topic? Or do you want to develop a new behaviour or skill? When you have an outcome you’re working towards to, chunk mapping (and other accelerated speed learning techniques) would be much easier for you to understand.

It is also important to note that in chunk mapping, it is very normal (even advisable) to revise your reasons for learning. As you go about learning something, you would sometimes realize that there are certain aspects that you need to focus more on. And even if you will have to revise your whole approach, it is okay to revise your desired learning outcomes.

Speed Scanning

Speed scanning serves as a “preview tool” when you are speed learning. Just before you’re going to start your inputting session, you need to activate your brain. And with speed scanning, all you have to do is to quickly go through the whole chapter and notice the headlines.

When you’re scanning, there are a number of things that you want to be scanning for. You want to scan for key ideas and concepts, not words. Don’t try to read specific words. These are actually the same principles that apply when you are speed reading. Sometimes, you’ll find just two quick speed scan through are going to be much better than reading the whole book. You’re looking for key ideas and concepts, not words.

You should also concentrate a lot on beginning and end paragraphs. Like I said before, if you observe the way most nonfiction novels are written, they tend to have an introduction and they tend to have a conclusion at the end of each chapter. You would also find that each chapter tends to be about one particular area of the whole story. In a way, each chapter is like a sub-topic.

Tags: Accelerated Learning, accelerated learning with NLP, learning fast, learning tips, Speed Learning, speed learning languages, Super Speed Learning