For the longest time, I’ve wanted to learn how to speed read; admittedly, I can already plow through a good-sized Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, or Peter Hamilton book with relative ease, but once I hit those technical documents or training programs…my internal snooze alarm kicks in and it’s rough going the whole way. A few days ago, I decided to have GPT write me a training program to learn how to speed read, and after feeling a few successes come from that, I wondered if I could adapt this to another kind of training program.
Turns out, yes. What follows is my effort to pull the information needed from my speed reading program and turn it into a generic protocol for any type of learning. I used GPT 3.5 to write the below information, including (as you can see) the chart (though I was able to modify that into someone more visually appealing with WordPress). Give it a go, let me know what you think, and tell me about your successes!
Using the Protocol as a Template
Training programs are highly adaptable, providing us with tools to learn new skills and refine existing ones. Here, we will discuss how to transform a speed reading protocol into any type of training program, using it as a template for effective learning. Let’s start by taking a closer look at our original protocol: a 30-day plan to increase reading speed to 600 words per minute, with daily assignments, tests, benchmarks every five days, and a checklist to track progress.
To adapt this plan, we’ll need to consider the following:
– Objective: The aim of the speed reading protocol is to read 600 words per minute. This goal can be replaced with any other learning target, such as learning a new language, mastering a musical instrument, or improving physical fitness. The key is to have a clear, measurable goal.
– Duration: This protocol is spread over 30 days, which provides a concrete timeline. You can adjust this timeframe based on your goal. More complex skills may require longer durations.
– Materials: The protocol relies on freely available resources. This principle can be applied to any training program by utilizing open-source platforms, YouTube tutorials, online courses, or library resources, for instance.
– Benchmarks and Tests: This plan incorporates daily tests and five-day benchmarks. For any training program, these can be adjusted to suit the complexity and pace of the learning objective. For example, if you’re learning to play guitar, a daily test could be practicing a new chord, while a benchmark could be playing a simple song.
Just Gimmie the Prompt
Insert the following specifics into the placeholders below, then complete the delineated [] prompt as requested:
TOPIC =
DAYS =
TEST =
[You will teach me how to [TOPIC] using materials widely and freely available, either by providing links to materials or by creating them. My timeframe for learning this new skill is [DAYS]. I would like to schedule a benchmark test every [TEST] days.
Create a table using all the [DAYS] which will include the day and the activity as well as a checkbox I can cross off once complete.]
Insert the topic as “Memorize the Declaration of Independence”, Days as “20”, and Test as “5”
Example: Memorize the Declaration of Independence
| Day | Activity | Done |
| 1 | Read the Declaration of Independence | ☐ |
| 2 | Summarize each paragraph in your own words | ☐ |
| 3 | Break down the document into sections (or use the 5 recognized sections) | ☐ |
| 4 | Memorize the first section | ☐ |
| 5 | Benchmark test: Recite the first section from memory | ☐ |
| 6 | Memorize the second section | ☐ |
| 7 | Review first and second sections | ☐ |
| 8 | Memorize the third section | ☐ |
| 9 | Review first, second, and third sections | ☐ |
| 10 | Benchmark test: Recite the first three sections from memory | ☐ |
| 11 | Memorize the fourth section | ☐ |
| 12 | Review all sections | ☐ |
| 13 | Memorize the fifth section | ☐ |
| 14 | Review all sections | ☐ |
| 15 | Benchmark test: Recite all five sections from memory | ☐ |
| 16 | Review the entire document | ☐ |
| 17 | Practice recitation | ☐ |
| 18 | Practice recitation | ☐ |
| 19 | Final review of the entire document | ☐ |
| 20 | Final Benchmark test: Recite the entire Declaration of Independence from memory | ☐ |
In Conclusion
Adapting a training protocol to new objectives involves adjusting the goal, timeframe, materials, and benchmarks to suit the new skill being learned. The beauty of this approach is its flexibility – with a few changes, you can set yourself on a clear path towards mastering any new skill.