Learning how to learn

VIJAYAKUMAR MENON N

(PREPARED BASED ON THE COURSE:

LEARNING HOW TO LEARN ON COURSERA )
Main topics

Focused and Diffused modes of thinking

Chunking

Key techniques to help students learn most

efficiently
Two distinct modes of thinking

Focused and Diffused modes of

thinking
Two distinct modes of thinking

There are two modes of thinking viz : Focused

mode and Diffused mode

The brain functions differently in these two modes.

The brain cannot simultaneously function in both

these modes.
Neurons & Synapses

Neurons they are nerve cells of the brain which are electrically
excitable and which transmit information using electrical and
chemical signals.

Synapses They are structures that permit a neuron to pass

information to another neuron using electrical or chemical
signals. Neurons communicate with each other through synapses.

Neuromodulators They are chemicals produced by the neurons.

Some of these aid learning Eg: Acetyl choline, Dopamine,
Serotonin.
How the Neurons communicate through Synapses

http://1001waystolearn.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/img010.jpg
How the Neurons communicate through Synapses

NEURONS

SYNAPSES

http://www.articlesweb.org/news/nervous-system-synapses-the-channel-for-an-informational-flow
Focused mode of thinking

Focused mode is a concentrated,

focused form of thinking.

Here the thoughts bounce

randomly between neurons located
close to each other through
synapses.

This happens when you are

learning with concentration, i.e.
when you are in a fully alert state.

(Picture : from the course materials of the course Learning how to

learn , Coursera)
Diffused mode of thinking

Diffused mode is a relaxed

mode of thinking.

This happens when are

resting. (ie when you are
dozing off or almost sleeping.)

Here the thoughts bounce

randomly between neurons far
apart.

(Picture : from the course materials of the course Learning how to

learn , Coursera)
How to use these two modes for learning

It is good to switch over from the focused mode to diffused mode and back while
you learn.

Concentrate while learning something new. Avoid all distractions. After that, drift
off to sleep for some time.

If you suddenly return from the relaxed state, back to the focused state, you get
new creative ideas connecting the bits of information that you have learned. You
are also able to connect the new information with the relevant old information
existing in your memory.

This technique was used by Thomas Edison. After concentrating on learning

something, he would doze off with a bearing in his hand. In the relaxed state, he
would drop the bearing. The sound would suddenly wake him up. He would then
continue learning in the focused mode. This enabled him to use his brains more
effectively.
How to use these two modes for learning

The Focused mode of thinking enables you to learn the new concepts.

The Diffused mode of thinking enables you to get the big picture. It
enables you to discover the connections - How and where do the new
concepts you have learned fit into all the related information already
stored in your long term memory?

So both the modes have to be used for learning and it is a good practice
to toggle between the two modes.
How to store what you learn in long term memory

CHUNKING A step towards better

learning.
What is a chunk?

Chunks are small bits of information bound together

so that they can be memorized as a whole when
required.

For easy learning, divide the topic you are learning

into small bits of information.

Learn a little at a time. Space your learning instead of

learning continuously.
How to chunk?

How to chunk depends upon what you are learning.

Eg: History, Science, Math, a language, Music, a

sport like football, playing guitar.
How to chunk?

You can in general improve your ability to chunk by:

Focusing on what you are learning

Understanding what your are learning

Practicing it several times. (This involves recall and

spaced repetition.)
How to chunk?

To chunk, you must understand the bits of

information well.

You must also understand the relationship

between the bits to form a chunk.

You must also understand the Context applicable

to the chunk so that it can be used correctly.
Chunking in practice

When you are coached in

football, you learn the
game in small bits first.
Then you are made to
practice the bits in
combination to form
chunks.
Finally after sufficient
practice, you learn to use
the applicable chunks in
each situation during a
football match.
Chunking in practice

While you learn to play violin, you will be taught to play in bits first.
Then bits are combined to form chunks. Then finally complete songs
are played. Thus chunking can be used to learn almost any subject/ art/
sport.
More on chunking

The more chunks in your chunk library, the easier the effort required to
form new chunks.

This is because the brain automatically connects the new bits of

information that you learn with old bits of information already existing
in the memory.

Einstellung it is a road block to learning new things because of old

information existing in your memory. This can prevent you from
forming chunks efficiently unless you unlearn the old information.
[This explains why the majority of the discoveries are made by
youngsters or people from a totally unrelated field they do not face
the problem of Einstellung.]
Learning techniques

Key techniques to help students learn most

efficiently
Focusing, Recall, Passive reading

Focus on what you are learning without any distractions.

(Switch off your mobile phones, Learn in a quite place
where others cannot distract your attention)

When you read to learn, make it a habit to look away from

your book and try to recall the main points. Recalling can
help you to assess the extent to which you have learned.

Passive reading must be avoided. Learn with motivation

and interest.
Understanding, Spaced repetitions,
Notes & Concept maps

Never reread the same topic in the text book several times
on the same day. Over learning cannot benefit you. You will
only waste your time.

Incase you are finding it difficult to understand a topic, take

the help of others to clear your doubts. There cannot be any
learning without understanding.

Spaced repetition is a good learning practice.

Prepare notes and concept maps by yourself.

Hand writing, Recalling, Sleep

Write the notes in your handwriting. This is much better

than typing.

Discuss the topics learned with your peers.

Try to recall what you have learned in different locations

other than where you learned the topics.

Learn when you are alert and fresh after a good sleep.

Get atleast 7 hours of sound sleep daily.

Illusions of competence to be avoided

Never learn the same subject continuously for along time. Divide
your learning time among different subjects. This will help you to
avoid boredom.

Get over the illusion of competence. Relearning just the basics

repeatedly may give you a false sense of competence. Glimpsing
through the worked out problems may create a feeling in you that
you have mastered the concepts. Solve problems by yourself
without referring to the books.

Solve different types of problems instead of doing the same type of

problems. Interleaving though difficult to practice, will help you
to learn with lesser effort.
More learning tips

Deliberate practice - Incase you find a topic to be too

difficult, practice more times deliberately.

Teaching others is the best way to learn and remember.

Switch between focused and diffused modes while learning.

Learn using the technique of chunking.

Overcome Procrastination by using the Pomodoro.

More learning tips

Learn difficult topics first when you are most energetic.

Test yourself frequently Randomly open pages of your

text and try to recall concepts you have learned.

Take breaks at regular intervals or when you feel

overworked.

Never ever postpone your learning to the eleventh hour!

Wish you happy life long learning!

The end

Thank you