Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects Flashcards
What are the two fundamentally different modes of thinking?
Focused and Diffuse Modes
Describe the focused mode of thinking.
When you concentrate on something intently in order to understand.
Describe the diffuse mode of thinking.
A more relaxed thinking style that is related to a set of neural resting states.
What are two useful tools when learning something new?
Metaphors and Analogies
Being in one mode of thinking does what to the other mode of thinking?
Limits your access to the other mode’s way of thinking.
Explain the pinball analogy as it relates to focused and diffuse thinking.
In a game of pinball the ball will go bouncing around hitting bumpers. In focused thinking the ball hits a familiar pattern of bumpers. It’s a smooth process understanding or solving a problem because you’re already familiar with something related to that problem.
In attempting to solve new and unfamiliar problems or material using focused thinking the pinball will hit bumpers that simply get in the way. We don’t have a familiar route to take with unfamiliar material or problems. We need a different way of thinking.
The diffuse mode is helpful because the bumpers are fewer and more spaced out. The pinball won’t get stuck on bumpers that are in the way. It’s a way to think about things more broadly rather than attempting to use the same old patterns in focused thinking. Doing this allows our brains to form new neural connections and pathways.
What’s the greatest gift our brains give us?
The ability to learn new things every day.
What’s the goal and purpose of this course?
The goal of this course it to give people a better understanding of how we learn, so that your brain becomes a better learner. The purpose is to help people reframe how they think about learning, reduce frustration, and increase understanding.
When you’re learning something new what does your mind need to be able to do?
Go back and forth between the two different learning modes in order to learn effectively.
What’s the analogy between weightlifting and learning?
We need to do a little bit every day to gain muscle and knowledge, not attempt to do it all at once.
How much energy does your brain use compared to your body?
Ten times more energy by weight than the rest of the body, making the brain an expensive organ.
What’s the most complex device in the known universe?
Human brains.
Most of the heavy lifting our brain does for us is done at what level?
The level below consciousness.
What is the nature of brain connectivity?
Dynamic, even after it matures. Able to grow new synapses.
When you look at something you’d really rather not do what areas of the brain are activated?
The areas of the brain associated with pain.
