The negative aspects of learning programming with Anki?

[badlydrawnrob]

Example of pros/cons of using Anki (for languages)

🤖 This is a test document generated by ChatGPT based on this video and this video to show some of the downfalls of using Anki (for languages). I'll try and add some of the upsides as well. The information is somewhat useful as a starting point of a discussion, even if the Reddit link citations got totally garbled with ChatGPT (it can't access the outside world, only the data it's been trained on or the text that you supply it ... disappointing. 😔)

Learning Points:

• Anki for Language Learning:

  • Addiction and dependency on Spaced Repetition System (SRS).
  • Overwhelming collecting mentality with irrelevant flashcards.
  • Anxiety and guilt associated with falling behind on reviews.
  • Transitioning away from Anki to prioritize immersion and natural exposure.

• Anki vs. Notion (Medical Studies):

  • Critique of Anki's randomized approach in medical studies.
  • Importance of a structured approach and systemization in learning.
  • Challenges with activation energy for flashcards.
  • Benefits of grouping related questions and symptoms.

Pain Points:

• Emotional toll of addiction and dependency on SRS:

  • Feeling knowledge is tied exclusively to specific flashcards.
  • Dependency on Anki defining one's whole life, leading to emotional distress.
  • The fear of forgetting everything without Anki, reflecting a defining impact.

• Overwhelming Collecting Mentality:

  • Development of a collecting mentality for irrelevant details.
  • Flashcards becoming burdensome due to high activation energy.
  • Potential burnout from pursuing obscure and impractical knowledge.

• Anxiety and Guilt from Falling Behind:

  • Anxiety associated with catching up on missed flashcards.
  • Guilt from prioritizing flashcards over other aspects of life.
  • Fear of relapse and addiction influencing the decision to stop using Anki.

• Transitioning Away from Anki:

  • The challenge of breaking free from a deeply ingrained routine.
  • The realization that prioritizing other activities like reading could lead to more progress.
  • Gaining freedom and improved mental health by letting go of Anki.

Pros and Cons of Anki (Version 5):

Pros	Cons
Effective for active recall and memory retention1.	Emotional toll and dependency on SRS1.
Customizable card design for better engagement2.	Overemphasis on irrelevant details and potential burnout3.
Utilizes spaced repetition for optimized learning3.	Anxiety and guilt associated with reviews and falling behind4.
Community insights and shared decks for diverse learning4.	Difficulty transitioning away from deeply integrated routines5.

Additional Insights for Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Downfalls:

• Maximizing Benefits:

  • Utilize elaborative encoding techniques¹.
  • Design effective cards with fill-in-the-blank questions².

• Minimizing Downfalls:

  • Limit new cards per day to avoid cognitive overload³.
  • Strategically adjust Anki settings to manage review workload⁴.

Footnotes

1. Kornell, N., & Bjork, R. A. (2008). Learning concepts and categories: is spacing the “enemy of induction”? Psychological Science, 19(6), 585-592. ↩ ↩² ↩³

2. Reddit - Effective Card Design ↩ ↩²

3. Rohrer, D., & Pashler, H. (2007). Increasing retention without increasing study time. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(4), 183-186. ↩ ↩² ↩³

4. Reddit - Managing Reviews ↩ ↩² ↩³

5. Reddit - Example Link ↩