Review: Red Rubber Duck’s Learning & Study Skill Guide
Posted: Wednesday, March 19, 2008
by ngoldman
Norm Goldman
Author: Dan Vandon
ISBN: 978-1-4196-8160-8
How often have we heard students cry that they botched their exams or didn’t do as well as they expected even though they studied so hard?
If you are one of these students or is someone looking for practical guide to improve your study and learning skills, check out Dan Vandon’s Red Rubber Duck’s Learning & Study Skill Guide.
Vandon, who has a background in intellectual property law and has earned law degrees in several countries, has penned a dynamic guide in helping us enhance our learning and studying abilities with his Red Rubber Duck’s Learning & Study Skill Guide.
In essence, this 176- page handbook focuses on three important tools, the Association Tool, the Big Picture Tool and the Structure Tool, which is explored and dissected within distinct sections. One caveat, however, and as Vandon asserts, “you can’t expect a quick fix, a one-size-fits-all wonder tool." It is up to the reader to know how to incorporate these tools into his or her daily practice. What is more, in order to reap maximum benefits from this book it is crucial that you involve yourself in all of the various exercises provided by the author.
It should also be pointed out, as Vandon mentions, that that the tools and skills examined in the book will in most likelihood work best with written material such as texts and notes such as law, business, liberal arts, social sciences and other disciplines of a similar nature.
With a great deal of gusto, most likely acquired as a result of his many years of experimenting with these three tools, Vandon commences with the Association Tool. To demonstrate how learning by association is a fundamental component in the learning process, Vandon introduces a picture of a red rubber duck and asks us to recall anything that we are able to associate with the red rubber duck. We are informed that once you can learn how to make associations and integrate them into your everyday practice, you can learn to better recall information, however, it is also important that we learn the various methods to associate such as creating an experience we cannot forget. To illustrate, we are presented with the example of remembering to drop a parcel off at the post office. You would have to agree that in all probability if you place the parcel in the driver’s seat of your car, you would not escape remembering the task.
Vandon points out that people find it easier to remember sequences of images, or physical items that we can smell or touch, than abstract information, as information in a textbook. And this leads us to abstract information, how do we remember it? Vandon teaches us about “translating" abstract thoughts into an image where we use triggers to help us recall. One method he tutors us to use is the easy-to-remember trigger that would remind us of the image. Vandon demonstrates this technique by presenting various exercises showing how this can be accomplished. Another helpful device is inventing a memorable story that would feature the information you wish to remember.
Not to be omitted are alternative techniques as the Loci Method and the peg-code method. The Loci method is where new information is mentally associated with old, pre-existing information, a specific, known place. The peg system is where we have a relationship between images of a familiar peg-code and new information. As stated, there is a similarity among all three systems in that they all depend on the creation of an image in one’s mind that incorporates, or links, two elements-a trigger and an association.
Immediately following this section, Vandon goes on to probe the basics of memory and recall. Helped along with concrete examples, the text in this segment details what makes us recall real-life information. We are informed that when dealing with abstract information the more active we are in the learning process, the more likely we will be to recall this information over time. This requires personally taking over the responsibility of the learning process. Another important ingredient of the learning process is the adoption of the bird’s eye view perspective which is a concept that is part of the Big Picture Tool or as stated: “Understanding and memorizing the big picture before trying to figure out the meaning of the details will provide a solid idea of the information’s general framework." Not to be omitted is that once you perceive the big picture, it is essential to know how to structure content and here again Vandon comes to our rescue in showing us the way.
A most interesting chapter is the one dealing with the Big Picture Tool, which refers to the basic ideas, concepts and vocabulary of a particular discipline. For example, if you were to study any subject matter such as law or psychology, you first must understand the terms and concepts that are used in order to grasp the principles. Vandon offers some excellent advice when he states that it is vital that we commence with an overview of the subject matter and then fit in the details. And some of the ways in which this can be achieved are making extensive use of introductory material and identifying key principles that govern the subject. This chapter also shows us how to intelligently attend lectures and to learn how to effectively take notes as well as to summarize and review them after class ends.
The chapter dealing with the Structure Tool shows how to break down information into small comprehensible components where we can more effectively relate information, concepts or ideas. As Vandon points out, this can be effectuated by creating a hierarchy, a sequence, a continuum, and a rule and exception relationship such as a cycle or table where visualization comes into play. All of this will also help us keep the big picture in mind as well as force us to adopt active attitudes.
Vandon provides his readers with a highlighted summary of every chapter as well as a section called making the most of the chapter where a table contains a few questions and blank spaces for our replies. The book ends with a very helpful and comprehensive index as well as a short list of further readings on the subject matter.
If you are looking for a practical guide that includes a great deal of information to help improve your study habits or for general interest, this is about the best book I’ve seen on this topic. Its material is well structured and intelligently presented evidencing Vandon’s comprehensive understanding of study and learning skills. It will surely prove to be quite a gem with students and others and is one book readers will revisit both for its sage advice and easy to follow clever format.
Click Here To Read Norm's Interview With Dan Vandon
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)hi ngoldman, this was an extremely well written and interesting piece. i have always had to use tips to make me remember things, so i was interessted in reading this article. i think it would be quite helpful to anyone who needs to take a test, or just be on their toes at their job, or in their lives! thanks for sharing, best regards, sue thom
I must confess I read the article twice to get the full gist. I found that the only way I was able to learn Spanish (I'm still a novice) was by a visual program. I also taught my kids when they were ready to take their SAT's with visual cards. I did not read Dan Vandon's book, but I do believe that some of his technique that you have described in his book have worked for me and my family. Great Job Kimberly
It is a shame I learned some of these skills well after getting out of school. Useful help for a multitude.
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