High resolution studying and low resolution studying refer to two different approaches to learning and retaining information.
High resolution studying involves focusing on the details of the material being studied, which can include reading the material carefully, taking notes, asking questions, and engaging in critical thinking. This approach is time-consuming and requires a lot of attention, but it can lead to a deeper understanding of the material and better retention.
Low resolution studying, on the other hand, involves a narrower approach to the learning material. It may involve skimming through the material, relying on memorization techniques, and using shortcuts like mnemonics to remember key information. While this approach can be faster, it may not lead to as deep of an understanding of the material, and the information may not be retained as well over time.
Overall, the choice between high resolution and low resolution studying depends on the individual’s goals and priorities. If a deep understanding and long-term retention of the material is important, high resolution studying may be more effective. However, if speed and efficiency are a higher priority, low resolution studying may be the better choice. If you are working through something really important, a mix of the two approaches will likely help you retain the most information.
How would you go about high-resolution studying?
High-resolution studying involves a deliberate and focused approach to learning, with an emphasis on understanding and retention of the material. If you have time on your side, you should always start with high-resolution studying. Here are some steps to help you approach this studying technique:
- Set clear goals: Before you begin studying, set clear goals for what you want to achieve. What do you want to learn or understand? What specific information do you need to retain?
- Organize the material: Organize the material in a way that makes sense to you. This could involve creating an outline or mind map, breaking the material into manageable chunks, or identifying key concepts and themes. Please note that there are no studies that show highlighting your work will increase your knowledge retention. Highlighting only helps if you are planning on going back over your work at a later stage, and want to make note of the key points.
- Read actively: Read the material actively, rather than passively. This means engaging with the material as you read, asking questions, making connections, and summarizing key points. Take summary notes as you read to help you understand important information.
- Use multiple sources: Use multiple sources of information to supplement your learning. This could include textbooks, online resources, or academic journals.
- Practice retrieval: Practice retrieving information from memory by answering questions on the study material. This helps reinforce the material and identify areas where you may need more practice. You can also try explaining the material to someone else, to test how much you know and see where you need to revise.
- Review and reflect: Review the material regularly to reinforce your learning and identify any gaps in your understanding. Reflect on what you have learned and how it connects to other concepts or ideas.
By following these steps, you can approach studying with a high-resolution mindset that emphasizes understanding, retention, and mastery of the material, combining it with a low-resolution mindset, speeding up retention of important information.
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How would you approach a low-resolution study?
While low-resolution studying may not be as effective as high-resolution studying for deep learning and long-term retention, it can be a useful approach in certain situations where speed and efficiency are important, or when you need to remember certain information off by heart, word for word. Here are some strategies for low-resolution studying:
- Skim the material: Rather than reading every word, skim the material to get a general sense of what it’s about. Look for headings, subheadings, and keywords that stand out.
- Focus on the most important information: Identify the most important information that you need to know, such as key concepts, dates, or formulas. Focus on memorizing this information first.
- Use mnemonics: Use memory aids such as mnemonics to help you remember key information. For example, to remember the order of operations in math (parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction), you could use the mnemonic “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” (PEMDAS).
- Use visual aids: Use visual aids such as diagrams, flowcharts, or mind maps to help you understand and remember the material.
Practice with sample questions: Practice answering sample questions or problems to help you apply the information you’ve learned. - Use repetition: Repeat the information to yourself or write it down multiple times to help you remember it.
While low resolution studying may be quicker than high resolution studying, it is important to note that it may not lead to as deep of an understanding or long-term retention of the material. It is important to use this approach only in situations where speed and efficiency are a priority and to complement it with high resolution studying when necessary.
How can you combine high-res and low-res studying
When writing your board exam for psychometry, you need to retain a lot of knowledge. You need to have a broad understanding of the law that pertains to psychology and of the ethics that apply to the field. You also need to know specific tasks in detail, such as how to construct a test battery for career guidance, or how to evaluate how valid and reliable an aptitude tests is, and whether you can apply it to your client. In a case like this, both a high-res study, to have a deep and broad understanding, as well as a low-res approach, so you can recite word for word the approach to handling certain situations is necessary. How do you combine the approaches?
There are a few ways to use both high- and low-resolution studying in order to optimize your learning process:
- Use a multi-layered approach: Start with a broad overview of the topic, using high-resolution resources such as books and academic articles. Once you have a good idea of what the topic covers, start using low-resolution materials such as summaries, infographics, or introductory videos to improve your knowledge on certain areas of the topic.
- Mix and match: Combine high-resolution materials with low-resolution materials. For example, you could read a textbook chapter and then watch a summary video to reinforce the key points.
- Practice retrieval: Use low-resolution materials to test your understanding of high-resolution materials. For example, after reading a chapter in a textbook, quiz yourself using flashcards or a study guide.
- Use spaced repetition: Review low-resolution materials on a regular basis to reinforce your understanding and recall of key concepts, while periodically revisiting high-resolution materials to maintain a deeper understanding of the topic.
Ultimately, the key to combining high and low-resolution studying is to find a balance that works for you, taking into account your learning style, the nature of the material, and your goals.
Article author
Justin Hyde – Head of Development – Independent Psychometrist
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