“Learning” Info Without Practicing Reproducing it is Not Really Learning

It's really just "loading" the info into temporary storage -- like picking up a weight off the rack, whereas learning is increasing your ability to lift said weight.

“Learning” info without practicing reproducing it is not really learning it. It’s really just “loading” the info into working memory (WM).

The fact that it’s in WM can trick you into thinking it’s going to stay there, but in reality it dissipates quickly and the only way you can bring it back without reloading it from an external reference is if you’re able to retrieve the info from long-term memory (LTM).

Which is why learning really amounts to increasing your ability to recall information from LTM unassisted, an action that can be trained by repeatedly performing said action in gradually more challenging contexts, just like strength training.

Loading the info is like taking a weight off the rack and learning it is increasing your ability to lift it off the floor of LTM up into WM.