question

analogy/metaphor

answer

Analogy and metaphor are helpful when trying to learn something new.

question

focused vs. diffused thinking modes

answer

Focused - - a direct approach to solving problems using rational, sequential, analytical approaches e.g. maths, science Diffuse - - the brain makes random connections along new pathways in a relaxed fashion - the mode of thinking we are in when taking a shower, going for a walk, exercising etc

question

alternating between modes

answer

You can't be in both focused and diffused modes of thinking at the same time.

question

synapses

answer

Learning forms new synapses (connections) on the dendrites of neurons in the brain.

question

procrastination

answer

Procrastination seems to involve an attempt to switch your mental attention away from something that you find slightly painful.

question

pomodoro technique

answer

25 minutes of focused learning with zero distractions or interruptions. Helps you focus more on the process of learning—not the product.

question

practice makes permanent

answer

Neural thought patterns are built and strengthened through repeated practice.

question

long-term vs working memory

answer

Long term memory - like a storage warehouse; distributed throughout a large area of the brain Working memory - immediate and conscious; centered out of the prefrontal cortex; holds up to only four 'chunks' of information; inefficient mental blackboard.

question

spaced repetition technique

answer

Spaced repetition involves repeating what you want to retain over a number of days. This will build stronger neural pathways in the brain and helps move information into your long-term memory.

question

sleep

answer

allows the brain to flush away metabolic toxins.

question

dream learning

answer

If you go over what you are learning right before you take a nap or going to sleep for the evening, it will increase the chance of you dreaming about it.

question

exercise

answer

helps the brain develop new neurons

question

chunking

answer

a process by which individual pieces of information are bound together or compressed into a meaningful whole

question

chunks

answer

chunks, like groups of puzzle pieces, form important building blocks that help you to see the big picture.

question

octopus of attention

answer

Focusing your "octopus of attention" to connect parts of the brain to tie together ideas is an important part of the focused mode of learning. It is also often what helps get you started in creating a chunk.

question

stress

answer

When you are stressed, your "attentional octopus" begins to lose the ability to make connections. This is why your brain doesn't seem to work right when you're angry, stressed, or afraid.

question

creating chunks requires

answer

1. focused and undivided attention 2. understanding of the basic idea 3. practice and repetition to help deepen your patterns and gain big picture context

question

top-down learning

answer

- 'big picture' processes allow you to see where what you are learning fits in

question

bottom-up learning

answer

- practice and repetition can help you both build and strengthen each chunk so you can easily gain access to it when needed.

question

two best study methods

answer

recall and testing

question

illusions of competence

answer

cheating yourself into thinking you already learned some material when you really haven't

question

ineffective study methods

answer

- concept mapping - understanding solutions but not working through them yourself - highlighting text - practicing only the easy content - re-reading

question

study environment

answer

changing up your environment deepens learning and improves retrieval. Very helpful for tests.

question

understanding

answer

- like a superglue that helps hold the underlying memory traces together - understanding is an important aspect of chunking. It isn't enough to create a chunk all by itself, though--practice and repetition in a variety of contexts are also needed. - Just understanding how a problem was solved does NOT necessarily create a chunk that you can easily call to mind later. - You often realise the first time you truly understand something is when you can actually do it yourself.

question

acetylcholine

answer

affects focused learning and attention

question

dopamine

answer

signals in relation to unexpected rewards

question

serotonin

answer

affects social life and risk taking behaviour

question

transfer

answer

the idea that a chunk you've mastered in one area can often help you much more easily learn chunks of information in different areas that can share surprising commonalities.

question

library of chunks

answer

When you are trying to figure something out, if you have a good library of chunks, you can more easily skip to the right solution by—metaphorically speaking—"listening" to whispers from your diffuse mode. Your diffuse mode can help you connect two or more chunks together in new ways to solve novel problems.

question

law of serendipity

answer

lady luck favours the one who tries

question

deliberate practice

answer

is when you apply extra attention in practicing the material that you find to be the most difficult. This is the type of practice that experts use to speed up their knowledge gain.

question

Einstellung

answer

your simple initial thought, an idea you already have in mind, may prevent a better idea or solution from being found. Sometimes you have to unlearn your erroneous older ideas or approaches even while you're learning new ones.

question

interleaving

answer

Although practice and repetition are important in helping build solid neural patterns to draw on, it's interleaving that starts building flexibility and creativity. It's where you leave the world of practice and repetition and begin thinking more independently. Mixing up your techniques/methods will help build flexibility and creativity with your learning.

question

four parts to habits

answer

1. the cue - location, time, feelings, reactions 2. the process - plan ahead 3. the reward 4. the belief

question

overcoming procrastination

answer

- keep a planner journal - commit yourself to certain routines and tasks each day - delay rewards until you finish the task - watch for procrastination cues - remove yourself from distracting environments - writing the next day's task list before you go to sleep - have back up plans for when you still procrastinate - eat your frogs first every day - focus on the 'process' (flow of time) and not the 'product'

question

astrocytes

answer

brain cells that - provide nutrients to neurons - maintain extracellular ion balance - are involved in repair after injury - play a role in learning

question

memory palace technique

answer

placing mental images in a scene that is familiar to you

question

good study habits

answer

- space out study sessions - remove distractions - give yourself extra time on harder concepts - focus on the harder aspects of the material - interleave your learning techniques, practices and subjects

question

improving memory

answer

- create flashcards - spaced-repetition - remember lists by creating meaningful groups - remember number by associating them with memorable events - create detailed visual and spatial images of content - memory palace technique - use your handwriting in place of typing - evoke the senses

question

working memory

answer

- centered out of the pre-frontal cortex - has to do with what you are immediately and consciously processing in your mind.

question

long term memory

answer

- living and changing all the time - are subject to modification by a process called 'reconsolidation' - take time to consolidate - requires hippocampus to store memories in the cortex

question

imposter sydnrome

answer

referring to high-achieving individuals marked by an inability to internalise their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud"

question

perseverance

answer

"the virtue of the less brilliant"

question

hard start - jump to easy technique

answer

This method involves starting with the easiest problems in order to build up your confidence for the harder test questions later.

Learning How to Learn—Coursera – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards