O TAKG-SPIR and PQRST Study Programs

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O TAKG-SPIR and PQRST

O TAKG-SPIR and PQRST are great helpers for learning. Calm observation can help in other walks of life also. The first of these is devised by Tony Buzan, who is known for mind mapping and comprehensive study methods. PQRST with variants stems from Francis P. Robinson's SQ3R, and is used for text study too. Observation methods can be refined much further.
The acronyms will be explained below.

O TAKG-SPIR and PQRST

SOUND and fair education tends to counteract racism, narrowed mentality and some effects of sectarian upbringing. Good learning helps young and old ones further. It comes by stages, as hinted at in Dr. Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy of learning. It's worth a study.
Now, delving deep within to find the answers is not enough. But there are times for that too in a normal life. Contemplating on sceneries, animals and pictures should not be counteracted, for there may be many important lessons to be learnt by careful observations over time.
No matter who or what you study and learn from, it may not be good enough to find some important message or three either. For you should bring what you've learnt into the light of day so that you can benefit - and breathe more freely in time. There are stages of learning, and good learning helps excellence.

Much education is pressed onto young ones, and they may gloomy outlook on learning much ever since. But good learning discipline is a good help. It depends on what you have been brought up to enjoy, in part, and on study skills such as the PQRST and SQ3R techniques of portioning out chapters of textbooks etc.

One does well to see this and that in the light of the potential of one's self. It's possible and likely that you may grow to enjoy learning if you master the lovely "rules of the game". It pays to be smart. Good learning skills helps smartness on and up, and further.

O TAKG and SPIR, an easy survey

O	Overview	Cursory overview, browse
TAKG, the preparatory part
T	Time	Determine how much time is needed in all and portion out learning sessions. Try to stipulate it well beforehand
A	Amount	Determine how much text you have to go through and portion it out into good learning sessions. T and A must work together.
K	Knowledge	Bring it in, activate or adjoin previous knowledge to task at hand. Draw on previous associations (learning)
G	Gains	Go for gains. Guess the value. Pose questions. Thus, activate yourself for "the real thing" (below):
SPIR, serious study
S	Survey	Use standard methods (see below)
P	Preview	Scan the text (portion) you're working with.
I	Inview	Read closely and try to think along with it.
R	Review	Sum up things.

There is another method that is much used. It is called PQRST or SQ3R (sometimes SQ4R too).

SPIR, PQRST and SQ3R brought together

Good study methods are quite compatible:

SPIR PQRST or SQ3R

S Survey - the standard method P or S Peruse. Survey

P Preview, scan Q Question

I Inview, read closely R Read

R Review - sum up (use mind maps) S or R Survey. Review

- - T or R Test, self-test. Recite

There are some differences and nuances that are not seen on the surface. I would stick to SPIR, as it's part of far better integrated techniques that include the initial TAKQ things too.
These methods are not as mechanical as it may seem. And we can get valuable help from using a learning system.
Did you know that outcomes of American studies suggest that as much as 80% of the text study time is best used on memorisation? [Cf Ams, appendix, Robinson 1962, 1971 etc.] Idea maps are great for it, in that they help us see the essential and connections between key parts much easier. Apart from that, you may see that SPIR (PQRST) - is good help for reading and studying with skill.
Interest is normally fine too.

How to survey

SURVEY, PERUSE - gather and formulate interesting goals.

Read title to get an inkling.
Read the introduction and/or summary - focus on the most important points.
Notice the boldface headings and subheadings to organise and 'pattern' your dear mind somewhat before you begin to read
Check graphics - charts, maps, diagrams - you should not miss them.
Notice the reading aids - italics, bold face print, chapter objective, end-of-chapter questions - are all included to help you sort, comprehend, and remember.

Based on primer at the university of Virginia: Link

Literature
Ams: Atkinson, Richard, et al. Introduction to Psychology. 9th ed. San Diego: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1987.
Er: Francis P. Robinson. Effective Reading. New York: Harper and Row, 1962.
Tor: Buzan, Tony. Speed Reading. Rev. ed. London: David and Charles, 1988.
Uy: Buzan, Tony. Use Your Head. New, rev. ed. London: BBC Books, 1989.

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