Chunking: Learning Technique for Better Memory

To support us visit / sprouts
Additional Video by Barbara Oakley:
• Video
Script:
081127882 is a hard number to remember. If you chunk the number into 081 127 882 its easier. Cutting large bits of information into smaller pieces helps us to understand. If we put small pieces back together, we can see the big picture and that helps us to remember. The process is called Chunking. This is how it works.
Our short-term memory is fast but tiny. According to learning expert Dr. Oakley it can hold only 4 chunks of information at once. So when new inputs arrive it has two ways to pick them up. First, it can overwrite and forget what it has. To make space for new information. Or it can use mental effort to move a chunk from the working memory into the long-term memory where it can be stored and remembered later.
This is why its almost impossible to recall 9 digits like 081127882. There is simply not enough space. Once chunked, there is.
There are several ways to chunk. You can break a larger piece into smaller bits, identify patterns or group pieces to see the larger picture. Once a chunk is created, you can use deliberate practice to move it into your long-term memory where it connects with exercising experiences. Now it can be stored for years and if regularly used, accessed without much mental effort
To make this transfer more effective it helps to add context which acts like memory super glue. Great instructors always try to give you the big picture before going into detail. If you study by yourself, you can skim through your textbook first by reading chapter headlines. Learning facts without understanding the big picture is pretty useless, as we will forget what we have learned very fast.
Professional piano teachers first show their students the entire song so they understand the mood. Then they ask their students to practice one measure at the time. Once the part has been learned and the neural connections in the brain have been built, then students go to the next measure. After all, chunks can be played separately, they are combined until the entire piece is connected. Now the student can play the piece with less mental effort.
Chunking also helps to understand complex topics, say trade between China and India. First study China: the people, the culture and the economy. Then summarize and put what you learned in your own simple language. Repeat the process for India. Then study trade itself: the mechanics, benefits, and problems. Again, simplify to form an underlying idea. In the end, you might just have summarized several books onto one napkin.
Try chunking next time you feel the limits of your working memory. Just like how clever restaurants chunks their menus into starters, mains, desserts, with 3-4 options each. With chunking, it's easy to compare our options and make a decision.
If you like our videos and want to support our channel, visit us at patreon.com/sprouts and see if you want to donate just 1 dollar. With your support, we plan to create many more minute-videos about learning and education.

[@sprouts]

Support our work on brain and memory: patreon.com/sprouts

[@brinleymccully2123]

I'm reading Oakley's book now, but didn't fully understand how chunking is practically used. This video really helped. Thanks!

[@sprouts]

Hi Brinley, very happy to hear that! Thank you! If you want to support our channel, please subscribe and spread the word, or if you speak another language you can contribute subtitles, and if you want to support us even more, you can become a patron on www.patreon.com/sprouts. Even a small contribution of 1$ means a lot to us.

[@julio1148]

Incredible summary of Oakley's work!

[@mandyads]

Honestly, this video made me smile. Very good analogies. Not boring or too detailed... had things I could relate to and showed me ways of looking at "chunking" that I didn't see before. This made it obvious!

[@unknownnone8292]

Really appreciate the amount of hard work and emphasis goes behind every video of yours. Not to mention, how entertaining and fulfilling in terms of learning, they are. Keep it up.

[@sprouts]

thank you! thats nice to hear. if you want to support us make more such videos, you can join us at patreon.com/sprouts

[@sstrand]

Agreed. 100%

[@studyw4464]

#ad

[@kidstagram354]

Please post more. I really love your videos!

[@sprouts]

we try. it takes alot of time. :)

[@GajanaNigade]

Sprouts "alot"? I get that it's a typo :)

[@kidstagram354]

ok We will wait .. fully Support !!

[@kidstagram354]

Sprouts thanks for replying my comment.

[@wesleynoggle3895]

More is better

Great information and beautifully illustrated video! Many thanks. Keep up your good work!

[@sprouts]

Thank you Linh! If you want to support us to make more videos like this one, there are a few things you can do. 1. You can subscribe and click the bell icon to get notified when we upload a new video. 2. You can share this video with a friend or people from school or work. 3. You can also support us directly, with a small monthly subscription at www.patreon.com/sprouts

[@davemarx7856]

but the device in my hand is murdering my memory.

[@bansoccer7988]

Illustrations are amazing... And the way things are explained is outstanding.... Great work

[@sprouts]

thank you!

[@shivank8105]

Great video ! please make such videos more. you made my study fun and easy

[@tanmaybiswas5856]

Really lovely videos..Truly inspiring and makes me feel educated.😇

[@RoKuSa007]

your team always deliver very helpful videos. thanks a lot. Keep it up :)

[@eheteshambaig8750]

0:30 the best part of the Video drawing the hands of Madam Barbara. Signature Gesture of her

[@tristandonald3442]

The video provides a helpful introduction to chunking, but it might benefit from deeper exploration into how chunking is not just about breaking information into smaller parts but about creating meaningful organization. Consider the example of restaurant menus: they are not listed alphabetically, which could overwhelm customers. Instead, menus are organized into categories reflecting the dining experience flow, from drinks to dessert. This organization aids memory and decision-making, demonstrating that chunking effectively involves categorizing information in a way that reflects its inherent relationships and enhances its meaningfulness. Highlighting this aspect could give viewers a richer understanding of chunking's cognitive benefits.

[@dayashankarsharma3556]

i like your simple and easy tricks of learning

[@kite-dv8me]

this video is great and easy to understand. thank you so much.

[@sriyaanne]

plzz make more videos like these , they are very useful and I improved alot , thank you so much

[@sprouts]

THANKS! And we do. help share our channel so we can spread the message. Or if you want to support us, visit www.patreon.com/sprouts ;)

[@getoutofmykitchen650]

These videos really help me. I appreciate your efforts. Please post more. :)

[@sprouts]

Very welcome. If you want to support us, visit www.patreon.com/sprouts or share this video with a friend so we can spread the word!

[@anvisaini789]

Thank you so much!! Awesome video

[@hvahidi7458]

I love your videos, keep it up!

[@rochi271]

great work

[@Nexazen]

Very educational, thanks

[@abhimanyusahoo8595]

Very detailed video

[@flaviadiaz6289]

i loveee watching your videos!!

[@michaelmiky11]

I discovered this trick when I was 11 years old in class. I was bored and we had this book with 30 digits of pi in it. I started trying to memorize it, and the best way was to chunk it up. 3,14-15-92-6-535-8979-323-8462-64-3383-279

[@sprouts]

clever!

[@frogstereighteeng5499]

Alyosha I’ve always done them in groups of 5, then 10, then 50

[@haseebrahman1887]

Oh, I did the same at the same age, but I did it for 36 digits, and broke them down into 4 digit chunks - 3.141-5926-5358-9793-2384-6264-3383-2795-0288 :)

[@1997tennis]

Wonderful channel!

[@sprouts]

thanks. you can support us if you want. we are on patreon.com/sprouts

[@kdillipkumar555]

Chunking is very very helpful in studies as well as in every day life.

[@fv2329]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@sprouts]

Glad it was helpful F V! If you find our videos useful and want to support us in making more, please subscribe to our channel or perhaps become a Patron at www.patreon.com/sprouts. Thank you :)

[@charliebeiz7761]

Thanks a lot man! *Subscribed*

[@sprouts]

welcome!

[@Dany-ik1id]

It means you have to work hard consistently and do not rush. You will learn many things.

[@kimjohn7409]

you can chunk a text book by reading the sentence and stop its period sign (.) then think it and make image stream about the sentence. for example "Problem solving with computer requires the use of both hardware and Software . "

[@wosam]

Thank you very very very much

[@nandha0150]

Its hugely helpful thank you..

[@sprouts]

welcome =)

[@kazialaturette3210]

simple and i understand

[@nishitshah5906]

with your videos i m having interest in my studies!! plzz make more videos

[@sprouts]

we try !

[@risingraisings7012]

it's unfortunate that many people especially students have not discovered this channel :,(

[@sprouts]

YES! please help sharing it ! :)

[@risingraisings7012]

Sprouts yaaay u replied

[@ramakajarekar5464]

Sprouts! You help me always!!! Watching your videos gives me so much relaxation. Plz reply to my comment. Upload more videos. Your videos are my Life! =)

[@beastbuilder]

very nice videos What do you think about sketch notes?

[@GranndmaStories]

I didn't know about this technique when I did, but it helped me learn the ABCs backwards in a few minutes

[@aneeshatabasum9506]

That is a good idea to test this technique

[@GranndmaStories]

@@aneeshatabasum9506 yup!

[@Tridipism]

awsm effort from ur team it's very helpful...plz cont the goodwork

[@Tazulable]

I hope from next year I would be able to earn some money....then I will donate that money for u guys....but never stop making videos....I love them very much....

[@sprouts]

Thanks! I hope so too :)

[@nahanachelekkal5798]

It's so excellent....plz do post UG Bsc Psychology for students in Calicut university like this simply style .......Ma English is so poor

[@comicsfrenzy5180]

Thanks love your post💗

[@enginner973]

Love it

[@love12xfuture]

love it!!!

[@sprouts]

thank you!

[@naledzanimakuya3858]

This video is very informative and I really like it

[@sprouts]

Thank you Naledzani! We are now officially on Patreon. If you want to support us more, go on www.patreon.com/sprouts. Even a donation of 1$ means a lot to us! Your feedback and support is what keeps us going!

[@zflora7891]

Can you make more videos on 'psychology'? Specially on 'sport psychology' , 'cognitive psychology' , 'clinical psychology' ???

[@muskelon1564]

Sprouts is special~

[@sprouts]

thank you! thats nice to hear. :) if you want to support us, you can join us at patreon.com/sprouts ;)

[@muskelon1564]

Yes,I would like to,,,But please wait until I got the first salary at May,this year..Now I am super busy

[@letitbe3494]

I just came here after completing my Barbara 's course on coursera!

[@sprouts]

Welcome to the team

[@harsh_sah]

thx

[@jahreal9463]

great vid Thz

[@eoeoy3004]

Thankzz alot

[@guilhermekf7692]

@Sprouts Could you please tell me what software you use to make the draws?

[@sprouts]

visit www.patreon.com/sprouts ;)

[@Ray_1428]

i am the first to like this video..... to sprouts..

[@sprouts]

Thanks for the first like :)

[@neo.....3281]

Umm I can't focus on your video because your drawings are really cute and cool

[@tishadashora7476]

i only see your drawings all the....!!! love them...!! do you draw them all by yourself..??

[@sprouts]

its all drawn by pascal. and then the team does the rest. visit patreon.com/sprouts for details.

[@itsmenelson3010]

Thanks so much! Your videos are great and helping me progress! But just a question - how would I apply this to studying?

[@sprouts]

What subject do you study?

[@itsmenelson3010]

@@sprouts english, science history and religious studies

[@itsmenelson3010]

@@sprouts and geography

[@0samakllc]

I am grateful for my spiritual guides

[@darkbeast277]

Learn with chunking, memories separating things, then combine it after memorised

[@Ray_1428]

its my pleasure.....

[@yeshwanthkumar3834]

Can you please create a vedio on information overload and handling it properly

[@ilyae8163]

so how do I remember that I should use chunking?

[@anasashfaq2160]

in our education system we have to memorize this culture book.. its so frustrating and has so many pages and info. can you please help me out?

[@sprouts]

? not sure what you mean/

[@anasashfaq2160]

Sprouts I mean that we have to memorize the whole book of a certain subject that is culture, and it's hard to remember so many names. I personally don't even know how to memorize. But I'm afraid I won't get good grades if I don't write the wording from the book 😩

[@ZaroonSwati]

What's it you want to learn, Anas..?

[@ZaroonSwati]

You can reach at [e-mail] Zaroon Khan. Life Coach

[@julianacortes6383]

Love ittttt

[@myysterio2]

Is there anywhere to get your videos offline?

[@sprouts]

do you need them? contact us here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc80hWSuI7ztMJLWkjRsWOo0zy1zMawBpr8qLTY77-aPi6cFw/viewform

[@GautamKumar-xq9rc]

how you make these video????

[@francicosilva7767]

Can it be applied to learning a new lenguage?

[@stacey9787]

081127882 is so easy to memorize in seconds

[@shaylempert9994]

its what i use

[@by8819]

Back when videos could be concise rather than the drawn out 10m+ long videos we have now

[@orvilledurano1896]

Amen God Good WINNER'S IN chRist TNX 4 SHARING GOD BLESS US ALL

[@noajackson2588]

Dinner was here

[@mohammadumar7545]

hey I love to be a patron in Sprouts , and give many ideas usually I have commented many ideas to you and advises specially but the reason I cannot be be a patron is I am a little 13 years fellow and I cannot donate you dollars because I live in Sri lanka, this makes me sad everytime that I watch sprouts ,I hope that my comments will help others you all the time

[@shaikhaalmuhaidib9537]

👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@anikahmed3592]

it hepls a lot

[@olakolade6656]

thank you!

[@sprouts]

Welcome

[@rtyankeedoodle]

Give me toro give me some more.. give me toro give me some more.

[@sprouts]

done

[@fillername4223]

so HOW DO I DO IT

[@harshdeepknayyer6656]

How can 🤔 I 😠 chunk the sentences??? I get this vedio this is very helpful but can you Plz🙏 reply. Thank you 🙏.

[@sprouts]

what do you mean? can you give an example?

[@harshdeepknayyer6656]

Sprouts. Like you said that if we chunk the numbers its easy to remember them but what about a big paragraphs. Like history question's answer or something like that.

[@harshdeepknayyer6656]

Do you get what❓I am trying to say.

[@sprouts]

when you chunk a number, its easier to hold in your short term memory. To remember it you still need to use it repeatedly. If you want to remember long text or history, try first to get the overall story. Once you understand that big picture, try to chunk each chapter or paragraph into smaller pieces, by summarising them in your own words. What do you think? Could that work?

[@harshdeepknayyer6656]

Sprouts Great👍😍😉 thank you very much. I'm pretty😉 sure that would be alright👍 and will help to remember stuff. Thank you for replying on my questions 🙏.

[@muhxnnxd]

my memory is shit :)

[@sirine6095]

Mouhaned Derbal same 😢

[@UNKNOWN-bp9ww]

081 127 882

[@ricklopez6604]

Kitkat chunky.

[@altpp8861]

Drizzy out

[@Br_gamingfreefire11]

My brain is not braining

[@yuu2648]

I need to upgrade my RAM

[@Srindal4657]

I swear my teachers were damn idiots. I wasn't taught how to remember anything at all

[@znay14]

So short story is ..

[@lifeisneverthesame910]

It's just a common sense..

[@vitashine7723]

Объсните хоть немного на русском, пожалуйста

[@lolbasel7038]

Translate to Arabic please

[@altpp8861]

The swag balances are you still have the same time I was gonna be a good day please find the attached file is scanned image in PDF format I am you have a great day today and I will be there for the late reply I will be there for the late reply I will be there for the late reply I will be there for the late reply I will be there for the late reply I will be there for the late notice I will send it out here it's not the same people to see the attachment for your mind and spirit the holy shot of a new drake

[@izzyzle]

soooo how do I chunk the whole history of the UK? 🧍‍♀️