Learning How to Learn - Coursera Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the difference between diffuse mode and focused modes, using analogy.
A
Analogy = Pinball…. Focused mode has things tight together, it helps put everything together in tight area that’s already familiar.
Diffuse mode is like wider spaced pegs. Things can reach away farther and different areas can connect, but not as strong.
2
Q
How important is metaphor and analogy to learning?
A
Umm, the most important.
3
Q
How did Dali and Edison access their diffuse modes?
A
By holding something, nearly falling asleep and then being awoken by the dropping….then immediately getting right back to work.
4
Q
How is learning like lifting?
A
In lifting, you don’t wait until the end, right before the competition and try to do 69 sets to get ready. It’s slow increment strength improvement over days and weeks wth small growth day to day, big growth over time.
5
Q
Where is most learning and thinking done? (conscious / unconscious)
A
Unconscious or subconscious….Always plugging away, even if behind the scenes.
6
Q
Are brain connections dynamic?
A
Yes, they are. They are plastic and can always be updated, changed and are always changing.
7
Q
What are the 3 steps of how procrastination works?
A
- You associate expected pain with an action.
- You change your attention to something that will bring an award.
- You get a reward…but only in the short term, temporarily.
(this begins the spiral as you then will associate more pain with the action you are now behind on)
8
Q
What’s the best ways to combat procrastination? - 145
A
Using pomodoro technique, with small breaks and rewards in short term for pushing through painful, necessary tasks.
Also, inherently, focusing on the process instead of the product.
9
Q
Why are abstract concepts harder to learn?
A
- They can’t be “seen” in the mind, by definition they are abstract.
- Even other intangible things can be felt….
You have to practice and use repetition, combined with analogy to make these real and easier to understand.
10
Q
How do new patterns get created in the brain (in terms of darkness, strength)
A
Like a picture that’s fuzzy initially, at first they get filled in, then as repeated and repeated recall happens they get strengthened and strengthened and become darker and darker. (with non-use) metabolic vampires continually dull them, so constant use is necessary to keep them dark, full, strong, sharp.
11
Q
What is the burst and rest technique related to brick and mortar?
A
Bricks need mortar to dry…. doing too much, stacking too many bricks before the mortar dries, will make wall topple over. Putting as many together (maximized, but not toppling), then waiting and resting while the mortar dries, then other new layers can easily be stacked again on top. Doing so, without allowing it to dry will result in having to start over.
12
Q
What analogies work for working memory?
A
Like a self-erasing blackboard, with only 4 holes.
13
Q
What analogies work for long-term memory?
A
Like a warehouse, but one that has copies of items. Over time, the more likely an access is expected, the more copies are stored and the more easily and likely retrieval is. It must be trusted to be needed again by being easy to find (doesn’t look like other stuff…novel and has a quick conveyor built to it either with visual and/or emotional systems)
14
Q
How should repetition be spaced to secure things better in long-term memory?
A
Over a few days, and then, reattacked within week(s)
15
Q
What three mental processes does sleep help with?
A
- It cleans out toxins (shrinks cells, allows fluids to sweep them away)
- allows patterns to connect and strengthen in diffuse mode by more repetition.
- removes the conscious “self” thinking mind to allow other patterns underneath to connect better.
16
Q
What’s the best way to access the diffuse mode?
A
running, exercises, doing something else active
17
Q
How does Dr. Sejnowski recommend to learn better compared to just sitting, listening in a class?
A
Doing it yourself
18
Q
How can I make a boring lecture interesting?
A
Interrupting, asking questions.
19
Q
Can you multi-task?
A
No, only switch back and forth faster
20
Q
What is the best way to keep creative inspiration high?
A
Be in a context and/or with creative people. Use physical activity…. DO NOT KILL RECESS! Be around young people and energetic people, as energy is contagious.
21
Q
Where does “success” come from in learning?
A
Passion, persistence, perseverance…When stuck, re-adjust perspective, zooming in/out as necessary, and allowing it to come with new eyes vision
22
Q
SUMMARIZE the following concepts from Part 1: Focus vs. Diffuse Pomodoro vs. Procrastination Practice, Repetition wrt WM / LTM Sleep + Exercise Effects on Learning
A
- Focus in spurts with undistracted energy…then rest, shift to other activities to allow diffuse mode to happen.
Focused is conscious, tight, narrow, familiar….Diffuse is below conscious, loose, broad, new. - Pomodoro beats procrastination with interval style burst and rest, with attention to process not product
- Practice and Repetition put things into long-term memory. Best if spaced out over days and not crammed. With reattacks and active recall.
- Sleep and Exercise are REQUIRED for best learning. Sleep sweeps away toxins, removes conscious self, and allows pattern strengthening. Exercise improves blood flow, energy, mind-body connection and brings diffuse mode and mental rejuvenation.
23
Q
Is creativity only for problems the world has never seen before?
A
No, of course not. MY creativity happens when I am solving a problem for the first time. Maybe someone else solved it, but I didn’t and those patterns are forming for the first time in my brain. This is no different and exactly what is required for me to understand it is the same thing that’s required for creating it.
24
Q
What 2 OCEAN attributes are associated with creativity?
A
Openness, and surprisingly ‘dis’aggreeableness
25
What 2 balances must be made to maximize creativity?
1. Acceptance of what is, versus rejecting and creating new
2. Conformity vs. non-conformity....
Basically, I have to create something new that no one else has done and is different from what they're doing, but they also have to like it.
26
What happens to the octupus of attention when we go to sleep?
The head is gone, so the arms can go everywhere.
27
How can I apply the 10x Zoom concept to learning?
going in or out on zoom process / perspective allows me to see things that weren't there otherwise and adjust up and down as necessary?
28
How can I apply Zooming in and out in my studies?
Use physical patterns of eyes, head, hands, standing, walking, turning, looking etc, to lead turn mind into change required.
29
SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING GOOD STUDY TECHNIQUES :
1. Recall, Test, Chunk
2. Space, Alternate, Break
3. Questions, Simplicity, Analogies
4. Motivate, Burst, Rest
I must be able to prove that I personally know something by being able to recall it myself. Just looking, reviewing is NOT enough. The answer must come from inside me. Testing is how I find out whether this is happening or not. Using flashcards is a great way to test and to use word association to help cement chunking.
To be set info into long-term memory, I must space my repetition accordingly, ideally a few days over a few weeks. Alternating in between subjects and interleaving with other info will help, as well as taking breaks and allowing patterns to form and strengthen in the background. Think of this like muscle building. And welcoming initial failure and muscle breaking, not being able to win (like mediation) but overall its a win and is easier next time.
The best way to learn and deeply understand is to ask alot of questions, ask the right questions and be able to make something simple, NOT more complex. Using analogies as well with metaphors allows (especially abstract concepts) to take form with something I know already. To be able to answer my own question and speak it aloud as it explaining to a child is the best way to "learn by teaching".
To make the most of my neural energy, I must use burst energy and stay motivated. Doing the difficult things first when I have the most energy and keeping a motivating and energetic environment around me that I reconnect to during rest sessions is the best way to learn with high energy.
30
How should writing part and editing part of my mind relate?
They should never operate at the same time. Both in the car, and only one can drive. That should be the writing part.
31
How's writing like vomiting?
When "writing" as opposed to editing....the goal should be to get everything on the page, as much as possible...do NOT restrict, do NOT outline, do NOT correct as I go, just write solid for a time limit with whatever comes....
32
What are some ways to get rid of editing part of mind when writing?
Cover screen...Use write or die.....Talk back to negative self-talk.
33
What is the right motivation to learn language? What's the wrong?
To truly learn about culture, to believe that it is important and meaningful to my future, and to enjoy the process and what I'm learning along the way. Enjoy connecting with other human beings.
The wrong reasons are to impress people or to have a bullet on a resume.
34
What advantage to children have in language learning?
Not perfectionist or worried about sounding perfect or making mistakes ("phone where"?
35
How do negative self talk and self-fulfilling prophecies crush learning?
I suck, so there's no point to effort....no effort so no results....no results, so I suck....continue. In reality, NOONE has the perfect situation, everyone has excuses. Some overcome.
36
How should I handle learning plateaus (esp. wrt language learning?)?
Expect it...its natural. Be ready and adjust approach, system, technique, but not self.
37
How can pomodora technique translate to medium scale?
3 month projects and then rest. Vacation, mini-rewards awaiting the end of projects.. And can't give up life along the way or will burn out and never continue again.
38
Does rote rehearsal work for language review?
No, (well, only one way for some kind of recognition or maybe 50% listening, but not for speaking or high level understanding)
39
How many slots does the octopus of attention have in working memory? How does he react to stresss.
Approx. 4...maybe more (7 or so with higher IQ?) He's terrible with stress....he gets no energy as it's routed to other lower portions of the brain.
40
How does chunking work in languages?
letters -> words -> sentences -> paragraphs, etc.
41
How do math/science problems relate to music/language learning chunking?
Problem sets are the songs that someone else has already written. As I learn a few "words" and can recognize patterns in techniques, eventually I can put them together to create beautiful songs with new patterns that weren't combined before. Knowing why each step works is like knowing how to play a single note or comprehending a certain word.
42
Are math/science mindless step following?
Absolutely NOT. It's like playing the notes of a song. Seeing how notes fit together or words into poetry
43
What's important to the octopus trying to make chunks with regard to distractions?
It's like his arms are getting pulled this way and that, or they're stuck and can't get to pattern underneath.
44
Is it possible to create chunks without context or understanding?
yes, it is, but it really serves no purpose, adds nothing of value.
45
With regard to creating chunks, is it enough to see someone else's work and understand why they did what they did?
Absolutely NOT. I must be able to recreate it for myself. Hearing a song does NOT mean I'll be able to play it.
46
How does the puzzle analogy apply to chunking?
One piece of data is a puzzle piece. It makes no sense on it's own. Only when connected to other pieces does it even make sense. Only when those mini chunks of 4-5 pieces are together can you begin to put a bunch of chunks around and see what the big picture may look like.
47
Describe the we start with listening and end with grand creativity, using chunks as the objects...
First we listen and appreciate. Watching we begin to see a bigger picture and as we do so we start seeing the small patterns take shape. Being able to start with creating the small patterns on my own, I then, with repetition begin building to bigger and bigger patterns. As I start to get a repertoire of bigger and bigger patterns, I begin trying to link them together in the way others had. As I see different ways that they link together, through playful experiment I start to change the ways they are linked together and/or replace known patterns with new ones. Ultimately resulting in brand new creativity.
48
How are math/science problems like road maps and travel/navigation solutions?
When you start, you just go where it says to go, not sure of what else is around. The more you travel the route, the more familiar you get, you realize WHY certain paths are the best way to get there. You see that other ways of traveling may be an option as well, and understand why this particular one has traditionally been chosen,. Eventually I can get there myself without the map, and I can even create maps for others to get there as well.
49
How do top-down and bottom-up and context relate?
Top-down is the big picture, the what the puzzle is supposed to look like or why we're working on this specific puzzle. Bottom up is the individual chunks and pieces and parts that come together in different ways to get to the top. Where the top down and bottom up meet is context. Context is when you apply different chunks together to get where you're going.
50
What does picture-walking a reading help with context?
Because it puts together a context for the chunks I will acquire to come together in.
51
How does recall relate to chunking?
If I can't recall it, the chunked pattern isn't strong enough for me to know it. I need to continue to practice to strengthen that chunk until I can recall it easily. At that point it will be strong enough to be used as a chunk to other ideas.
52
What are some techniques that are set-up for failure wrt driving the illusion of competence.
Re-reading (seeing /= knowing), highlighting(action seems like learning)
53
What is the best guide against the illusion of competence?
Recall, testing, using another location for recall. Teaching, speaking, writing in own words.
54
What 3 neurochemicals were mentioned and how do they affect learning?
acetylcholine. ... focus, attention
dopamine. ..reward
serotonin. ..risk, social behavior
Also, emotions, and the amygdala cannot be scoffed.
55
What's true with regard to motivation and the effectiveness of learning?
That which we are motivated to learn, which we think is important and valuable to our future is much easier to learn,
56
How does Bill Gates use disparate chunk creation?
A dedicated week of reading
57
Explain the ribbon analogy of chunks
As you learn more and more and can make bigger chunks, you can have more data available quickly, taking up only one spot in working memory, but easily connected to multiple other patterns as the ribbon just grows and grows.
58
How can "diffuse mode whispers" help build better chunks?
As diffuse mode connects parts further away and otherwise blocked by focused mode, you can get hints of new connections and new ways to put chunks together. (see the picture where one ribbon connects from focused mode up into diffuse mode and then goes across back down to area otherwise unreachable in focused mode.
59
What are two approaches to problem solving? In which one is new information and concepts best achieved?
Sequential and holistic. Holistic, more like diffuse mode is more likely to find new concepts as it literally jumps away from what I already know.
60
What should always happen after new associations and connections and patterns are found with the diffuse mode and/or holistic approach to problem solving?
They should always be checked and followed up by the focused mode.
61
Explain the serendipity concept.
Lady Luck favors those who are prepared and try. Putting together the first concepts are hard....the 2nd is a little easier, the 3rd even easier than that and so on. Learning isn't linear. It's harder up front and if patient as patterns and chunks are taking place and ready in the brain it may only take one lucky connection to bring it all together.
62
What's the threat of overlearning? Is it ever useful?
Perhaps I am no longer gaining benefit for time spent on something I know well. It could be useful to crush fear and build confidence.
63
How does Einstellung work? How do I guard against it?
Basically, something I already know well may be blocking me from seeing the real solution. To guard against it, when stuck, using new perspectives and/or unlearning what I have learned helps.
64
Why is interleaving important?
Helps take you from practice and repetition steps to true understanding, independent thinking, and true creativity. Using multiple techniques, etc. allows you to see when where what applies and start doing so on own.
65
What is the tradeoff between deep and broad learning?
Without deep learning, obviously don't understand something fully as to what's really going on at a zoomed in level. But deep learning could be susceptible to einstellung. For broad learning you have the ability to get wider view and see patterns that cross over disciplines.
66
SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Chunking
2 Recall, Testing, Deliberate Practice
3. Serendipity, Learning process progression
Chunking is how it all works as we put small pieces together to create chunks, then we put chunks together to build bigger chunks. Initially we can only do what others have done, but its important to do so and not just hear and see, but to DO and put those chunks together ourselves. Context is extremely important and is where the chunks come together from the bottom up to meet the top down purpose. Chunks is how things fit together, like tools. Context allows us when and where to put together the different tools. As we start to be able to put together bigger and bigger chunks, we start to see how there might be options to put them together in different ways. Putting them together in new and interesting ways is creativity. In order to check our process as we learn new things, testing, recall, explanation, and doing the difficult things in our own way with our own words guards against the illusion of competence and just being familiar. Learning favors the prepared. It's hard up front, but the first patterns, while difficult to put together build a foundation for later patterns to be put together and come together exponentially. All it takes is one lucky pattern to bring everything together. Getting stuck is normal and sometimes what we already know can be blocking a new , better solution. We have to use different perspectives, unlearn what we've already learned and adjust the balance between breadth and depth in order to get around some roadblocks.
67
How is real learning done in the "real world"?
In teams... being able to express and work and connect with the ideas of others is a huge force multiplier
68
What is self-explanation and why does it help?
Basically, its learning with the intent to teach, which really checks recall and true learning vs the illusion of competence. Being able to spell out in words talking and/or writing forces the recall and ensures the pattern is in my brain and not on the paper that I thinkI know it.
69
What is the best way to attack abstract things? How do I know it's worked?
Create analogies that are as vivid and memorable and simple as possible, then run these analogies through someone who already knows to see if they can point out where the analogy is wrong/right.
70
How can I gain motivation for otherwise daunting, uninteresting, boring, or difficult topics?
Motivation is understanding. Understanding is Exposure.
71
How is studying less with more results like CF? How do I take it to SF?
Intensity, intensity, intensity....I have already proved the ability to embrace suck and press through with below average techniques. Taking techniques that work like a boss and still putting in the level of effort and ability to deal with suck while take game EXPONENTIALLY to the next level.
72
How do I incorporate projects?
Always be on a 3 month mission with a goal, end, objective. that's motivating
73
Does flow always occur immediately in writing / reading?
No, of course not. Using timer, setting it and pressing usually will bring it aboutl.
74
Should I read entire books?
It depends. The point is picture walking and assessing whether or not there's value in the whole thing versus just blindly reading everything front to back. Read out of order, and everything in turn
75
How can I nudge thoughts into subconscious....diffuse mode?
The proverbial (or actual) sticky outside the shower wall.
76
Discuss quality sleep vs. quantity
Too much sleep = groggy. QUALITY sleep with the appropriate entry and priming is WAY better.
77
How is procrastination like arsenic?
You can start with just a little, and be fine, live. Then add a little more and a little more and build your tolerance to stay alive, but really, it's eating you alive on the inside. You can't allow the rocks to trip the avalanche, the first lazy move sets the pattern and even if it seems you're doing okay, you're probably getting poisoned.
78
What is a zombie event?
Like the standard example of mindlessly driving a car once you've learned how to do it. Things that take nearly zero mental energy.
79
Why should you focus on process over product?
Brain is constantly asking, "Am I almost done" "Am I almost done"? and the answer is always in 5 minutes, in 5 minutes, when in reality I'm 69 hours away. With process it's mentally easier to : work for minutes and then stop. it's the clock that's in charge not me, and that part of the judging, responsible brain can shut up.
80
How is studying like surfing?
The product is awesome....surfing some huge pipeline wave. But the minute you focus on the product, the process fails. Focusing on the process in the here/now and being present for the journey.
81
Besides pomodoro technique, how should I press through procrastination and negative talk?
"The only way to get rid of this pain is to get through it. It will be over soon and the sooner you start, the sooner we can get it over. Focus on the product, I'm working for X minutes today. Who cares if this gets finished on this session or another one, but right now, all I have to do is get this started. Like running, once on the road, I will soon feel better and the supposed pain will go away. There is no fantasy land where the pain goes away and I finish this later.
82
Why does the pomodoro technique work?
The judging mind ("why aren't you done yet") can shut up and send energy to the other circuits that need it.
83
What is the habit 4 step cycle? How do I attack each phase and prevent zombies from taking over in each?
1. Cue
Itself, not harmful, just need to recognize what they are....usually they are location, time, energy, person, feeling
2. Routine
Here is the only place willpower needs to be applied. Recognizing the pattern and changing the pattern that follows the cue. Bottom line is to look for the cue, have chair-flown a plan, and know that if you exercise that plan, the reward and you, yourself will be better for it.
3. Reward
To find my current habits, need to ask what the reward or payoff has been for each habit I want to break. To replace, need to have a stronger reward for the good pattern than I did for the previous or I'll never replace it.
4. Belief
Must have faith in the plan and in the new system I'm putting into place. If I don't believe it will work, I will never be able to overcome the 3 above when there's setbacks or difficulty.
84
Give two planning / calendar techniques recommended by the class that I didn't have.
Write out daily plan the night before. Plan quitting time just as important.
85
SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING:
day by day crushing procrastination
celebrating wins and trusting system to work
eating frogs first
Setting a system with rewarded habits and trusting in it will allow mind to truly rest, truly enter diffuse mode when not working, trusting that the work will get done and truly not wasting brain resources on it. Celebrating the thousands of mini-accomplishments along the way fills life with enjoyment, fulfillment, and satisfaction in the moment, while simultaneously trusting that I'm making progress toward a meaningful goal. Selecting difficulty up front by choosing when and where to tackle difficult things gives the sense of control needed to accomplish difficult things. Planning for setbacks and worst case scenarios allows calm processing and maximum efficiency of the brain power available to either work on the problems when needed, or truly relax and enjoy time that I'm not working on it.
86
Describe the negative loop of procrastination.
Perceived pain -> no work -> more behind -> more perceived pain -> still no work -> even more behind -> actual pain to catch-up and fix -> poor results -> poor associations -> more perceived pain
87
Describe the positive loop of crushing procrastination.
No procrastination -> ahead of the game -> able to do spaced repetition and deliberate practice -> long-term memory effective -> expertise
Also.....
Small challenges -> success / celebration -> positive association -> motivation -> more small challenges -> success / celebration -> momentum -> ahead of the game -> better learning -> better processes-> better learning.
88
What things is our memory best at?
Spatial and Visual memory.
89
What qualities will the best visual memories have?
Vivid in color, detail. Sounds, tastes, feels, emotions. Novelty.
90
How do things get transported to long-term memory?
With the storehouse analogy, once one request is made to put from WM - LTM, one copy is put on shelf, but there are millions of things there so the ability to find it later depends on how much it stands out. With practice and repetition, many more copies are created so it's ability to be found later is increased. Adding emotion (which has a quick access conveyor belt and/or other access paths (sound, other sight parameters, taste, touch) gives more paths to walk to potentially find it. The best strategies would take advantage of both repetition (making as many copies as possible and novelty (making it stand out from the others), but obviously, if one is null and the other extreme, you could still find it. For example a random number repeated a trillion times or a one time seen fluorescent elephant. By having meaning (it relates to to other patterns)
91
How often should I review what I want to remember? Why?
Spaced out over a few days....The workers at the warehouse can only order a certain number of copies at a time, so at a point, too many reviews in a single setting is no longer helping. Likewise, they order based on an algorithm that specifies how likely it will be that the pattern will be needed again. By spacing it out appropriately (not too soon, not too late, they will order a bunch of copies since they know it will need to be accessed again soon, and will order as many as they can.
Reviewing before sleep works well as well, since all the patterns will be primed just prior to the point when the maximum amount of pattern strengthening occurs and the maximum effectiveness of diffuse mode occurs. Having them recently accessed also reduces the probability that they will be flowed out with the toxin removal during the night cleanup.
92
How are long term memories changed over time?
Each time a pattern is accessed, it is relevant to the patterns that are also active when it is accessed. It is then restored, and so it is changed based on when it was remembered. You cannot access it exactly the same way because it will be a different surrounding pattern context that it reads into. (this is my answer)
The book answer is as follows : memories are stored in the consolidation process where during sleep, etc. memories are put away onto the shelves with ties and connections to to other things stored nearby. when it's accessed again (reactivation) it then mixes with the other patterns and is stored again via (reconsolidating) This cycle continues when memories are stored or accessed every time.
93
With regard to memory storage, what are 3 different ways to put things in meaningful groups?
Sentences/Songs/nemonics, meaningful numbers, memory palace.
94
How long does it take for memory palace technique to work?
May take 15' or more for each list up front, but gets quicker and quicker non-linearly after that.
95
```
SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING:
2 memory systems : WM + LTM
Visual memory system
Spatial memory system
Meaningful groups
```
Reference previous analogies about memory systems (octopus of awareness with four slots to stick arms or ribbons through) and warehouse (with conveyor belts, copies on shelves and strings connecting things on shelves) ((glass balls))
Visual, Spatial, and Meaningful memories Rock! Use them....
Visual with vivid, lots of colors, shapes, edges, plus other senses connected as well.
Spatial with memory palace putting things in spaces left/right/up/down, etc.
Meaningful by connecting to as many memories that are already there as possible, potentially with emotion too
96
How do you apply the memory palace model for memorizing names?
Use a part of the body / face as the place, the trigger then use a visual or meaningful pattern already present to have the face thing connect to the name patterns already connected.
97
What is THE most important part of any memorization whether its a name a face a fact etc.
Paying attention....closely, and storing it away meaningfully.
98
What's big two techniques of memory giants?
Making a picture and storing it someone (making the picture is harder)
99
How can you apply the big two of memorization to lengthy texts?
Break it down via highlighting or pick-outs, and then put those key words into a list. Then memorize the list via pictures and memory palace.
100
What are 5 keys to brain health?
1. Use it...often
2. Exercise
3. Diet
4. Sleep
5. Social connections
101
How do we memorize like children?
Playful joy is where true memory springs from.
102
What is the most spillable skill from math/science to other areas?
The working through of problem sets and understanding the steps involved and knowing how the steps fit together and act like the repeatable practice of playing an instrument.
103
Why is the experience of being slow to speak English upon returning to the US an important phenomenon regarding learning, the mind, and memory
Patterns weaken without use. Patterns rely on context around them.
104
How is the analogy of strumming a guitar related to memory?
Keeping the vibration going, keeping the pattern fresh, keeping it nearby and energized, ready for rapid recall. Much like a warm-up in the gym....
105
Is the solution to math and science problems long or short?
Long, usually, if they're truly something new and unique that I don't already know.
106
Where are all worthwhile math problems solved?
in the diffuse mode, doing something else, after the work has been put in.
107
Can the diffuse mode solve problems without the focused mode? How should you best use it.
No, it can't. The focused mode has to hammer and hammer and hammer until the brain is stuck, then you move on to something else and let the diffuse mode do it's thing. But you cannot do the diffuse mode if you haven't already hammered away.
108
How can we use our stone age brains to solve math problems?
By making math and science and abstract problems so familiar that they become like the problems we are good at. We're good at familial problems, we're good at social situations, and moral judgments. Make math problems like those, or (my words) like survival to make it like what we're good at.
109
What is the hardest part of math problems?
Getting familiar with them and understanding them. The solving is easy and comes natural when we just understand what the problem is. But understanding the problem is very very hard and requires alot of looking and focusing and beating away.
110
Explain the funnel analogy of attention.
Multi-tasking is impossible. Many things may fight to get across my desk of attention, but only one can pass through at a time.
111
Can we multitask? What CAN we do?
We cannot multitask, but we can very rapidly monotaks and switch very fast. Intense serial processing.
112
Regarding metaphors....What ARE they really? Are they perfect? Do they change?
Metaphors are "similar" patterns in the brain. Some things that "are like" other things. They are not perfect, but they get the pattern in there as a start at least to work with. Then as repetition happens the pattern (metaphor) of course changes and we update what has changed, what is new, what is no longer valid, where the metaphor breaks down (and they all do). Where multiple metaphors can be used. At what facets one metaphor is better than another.
113
Is anyone truly a genious? What are the strengths of big WM vs. small WM
No, its a matter of repetition and self-building/growth. A big WM obviously has a great deal of focus, but can miss the big picture, how it connects bigger. A small WM allows so many different patterns to connect to be very very creative.
114
What is the biggest value of teamwork and social interaction with regard to the brain (think L/R hemispheres)q
Just as the Left hemisphere can sanity check right hemisphere type thinking and the right hemisphere can put left hemisphere stuff into the big picture, social interactions, others, peer review if you will can sanity check and put into the big picture (both) what I've come up with in a vacuum.
115
Why does "hard start, jump to easy" work for test taking?
Assuming I'm prepared, it allows the diffuse mode to work on the first problem I tried while I crank out the easy ones and is the best use of my resources. The key is to set a time limit where I will hammer agains the hard one and then stop and move one. Also, it assumes a picture read up front to have accurately assessed what are the hard and easy problems and a smart time assessment on how much I have per problem.
116
SUMMARIZE THESE TEST TIPS:
1. make practice tests like real
2. face fears of worse case situation
3. good worry vs. bad worry -> self-talk
4. big picture checks when stuck
5. does this make sense reviews
1. Mind will get in habit of having to figure out in a timeframe and won't allow sloppiness or laziness
2. relaxation coming from the knowing of how I'll handle the worst case scenario
3. nervousness is good, it focuses. Breath control channels it into a positive. Thankful for the energy to succeed an be excited.
4. pause, breath, zoom out as necessary
5. Nuff said, back through in a different order than before, change zoom, change picture, change state and ask "Does this make sense?
117
Is it even possible to truly know something just by hearing someone else say it?
NO. Must recall / do / execute it myself.
118
Describe genious envy and imposter syndrome.
Genious envy assumes that everyone else has been blessed better than I was and that they didn't have to work for it.
Imposter syndrome is what I feel every day being a fighter pilot. Thinking that eventually someone will figure this thing out that it's just been luck and that I'm really not meant to be here.
119
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SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING:
Metaphors rock,
Use new perspectives
Social help / use
Test techniques
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Use them, create them, having a fuzzy one can be better than none at all, as long as future updates are understood and the goal.
New perspectives and balance left / right ,etc. are necessary, other people are best at helping this.
See others for test techniques.
120
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What should I answer to all these?
Effort to :
understand text
work w/ others on problems
outline every hw solution
consult w/ instructor
questions on hw turned in
use avail study guides and previous tests
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YES!
Bottom line, use all resources
Book
HW's (instructor, classmates)
Study guides, tests
