LLAP - ALT 1 - EDC Flashcards
Long term memory
More space in long term memory than you can ever fill up. The problem isn’t storage capacity, its getting that info into long term memory and making it stick. ``
Neurons
The brain’s building blocks.
Everytime you learn something…
Neurons connect, arms to toes, with one another. This forms links in the long term memory.
Synapse
Where an arm of one neuron connects to a toe of another neuron.
When you think of something you’ve learned…
Electric signals travels along the links you’ve created.
If sets of links are not strong…
They will break up, and you will forget what you’ve learned. To learn something well you need to build strong sets of links that don’t break up.
The best way to learn and make new links stick is to…
Test yourself. This is called retrieval practice. Don’t reread or underline to try to make information stick, instead, challenge yourself to retrieve the info. Every time you try to retrieve that info, it makes those weak links stronger.
Techniques to challenge yourself to retrieve info, and strengthen weak links.
Use flashcards. When reading, close the book, try to recall as much as you can from the page or chapter. Solve problems before looking at answer key.
Pomodoro Technique
- Remove all distractions, from your desk, no pings from your phone or computer
- Set a 25 minute timer
- Focus intently on your work
- Take a 5 minute break
Pomodoro flow
If you do 4 Pomodoro sessions, take a longer break after the 4th session. If you get into a good flow, and want to continue working, you can. Technique is flexible, experiment with what works best.
Most productive employees have a Pomodoro flow of…
Work for 52 minutes, break for 17 minutes.
When you take in new knowledge…
Weak sets of links are created in long term memory
Hippocampus
The helper of long term memory. During breaks, the hippocampus indexes weak links, making it easier to know what is stored where. Hippocampus helps long term memory practice and create better and stronger links. Hippocampus can be overwhelmed and can’t do its job properly when you study for too long, without breaks.
Taking breaks
Take breaks without using phone or laptop. Transfer of information to long term memory works best when you relax, or do something mindless.
Task switching
Avoid task switching. Every time you switch tasks, you have to activate another part of your brain. This takes time and effort, known as switching costs.
The brain has two modes for thinking and learning
- Focused Mode
- Diffuse Mode
Focus Mode
When you’re concentrating hard on something; trying to understand a paragraph, working out a problem, listening carefully
Diffuse mode
When you’re not focused on anything in particular; when random thoughts pop up in the shower, riding a bus, taking a walk. When in diffuse mode, the brain can solve problems and connect ideas.
Picture the brain as a maze…
Learned concepts are sets of links in different parts of the maze. When in focus mode, you move along these sets of links. Diffuse mode is like a set of tiny drones that can zip quickly over parts of the maze. The drones can make connections to different parts of the brain that normally aren’t connected. These new connections are what you need when you’re struggling to find a solution.
Diffuse mode can help you…
Focus mode can help you…
Diffuse mode can help you realize new insight.
Focus mode can help you build and strengthen a new idea
Best way to get into diffuse mode
- Focus on problem until you’re stuck
- Stop focusing, or maybe switch to another topic
Diffuse mode can work a lot faster if you simply relax, or do something mindless, like brush your teeth, wash dishes, or go on a walk
Hard start technique
Takes advantage of diffuse mode when solving difficult problems at home or on tests.
- Scan over test sheet
- Mark any that are especially hard
- Begin working on hardest problem
- As soon as you get stuck, move to an easier problem
- After you’ve done 2-3 easier problems, return to the harder problem
While your focused on the easier problems, your drones are working on the harder problems.
Working Memory
A part of your brain you use to temporarily hold on to information. Used when you do things like multiply numbers in your head, learn new material, or think of what to say next. Think of working memory as an octopus, that uses its arms to connect your thoughts. It can reach into long term memory to connect sets of links that you’ve stored there.
Working memory has a very limited capacity.
The average working memory can hold only around four thoughts or concepts. Picture an octopus with 4 arms (able to hold 4 concepts). Some people have working memory of 2 arms, some people have 8 arms. You can’t change the number of arms you already have.
