Modes of Learning 1-1: 1-2

Question 1

What are the 2 modes of learning/thinking?

Answer 1

1. Focused 2. Diffuse

Question 2

What is focused learning?

Answer 2

Concentrating intently on something you are trying to either learn or understand

Question 3

What is diffuse learning?

Answer 3

A relaxed thinking style related to neural resting states

Question 4

When does diffuse learning happen?

Answer 4

Learning/thinking that occurs in the background, during periods of offline time when the brain is not actively engaged in learning, trying to understand or paying attention in some other way.

Question 5

When does focused learning occur?

Answer 5

it is deliberately activated during conscious, aware times of learning and thinking

Question 6

What are two techniques to help your brain understand information and remember it?

Answer 6

1. analogy

2. metaphor

Question 7

What is an analogy?

Answer 7

a comparison between two things with similar features. usually used as to explain or clarify items, to draw associations

Question 8

What is a metaphor?

Answer 8

something that is used to represent something else. doesn’t have to have like features, just bring to mind a symbol

Question 9

What is a good analogy to use to gain understanding of focused and diffuse learning?

Answer 9

A ball (i.e. a thought) being launched in a pinball machine and bouncing from one bumper to another.

The ball represents a thought, either familiar or new.

The path the ball takes in the machine represents a neural pathway either known or unknown by the brain.

Question 10

What would a known neural pathway look like in a pinball machine?

Answer 10

a well established path between bumpers. at each bumper, more information is gathered to culminate into final understanding.

Question 11

What would an unknown or new pathway look like in a pinball machine?

Answer 11

The ball would bounce around a bigger portion of the brain, basically doing a search until it could find similarities between new and old.

Question 12

How do you look at things using diffuse mode of thinking?

Answer 12

Broadly, from a very different, big-picture perspective as opposed to detailed, focused perspective

Question 13

How do you look at things using focused mode of thinking?

Answer 13

detailed way, as if traveling along a “nicely paved road”

Question 14

Can you do problem solving in diffuse mode?

Answer 14

No, only look at things broadly to make connections and get the “gist” of things.

Question 15

Can you understand fine aspects of a concept during diffuse thinking?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

Can diffuse and focused thinking exist at the same time?

Answer 16

NO, either one or the other

Question 17

What is an analogy to understand how focused and diffuse thinking exist together?

Answer 17

A coin - can only see one side at a time

being in one mode limits your access to the other mode’s way of thinking

Question 18

Who are two famous people of history that were well known for strategically activating their diffuse modes of learning?

Answer 18

1. Salvador Dali - keys to switch back to focused

2. Thomas Edison - ball bearings to switch back to focused

Question 19

What happens when the brain switches between diffuse to focused modes of thinking?

Answer 19

The brain will gather up those diffuse mode connections and ideas in the mind, dumping them into focused mode for concentrated effort and to be built upon.

Question 20

Why is it important to switch back and forth between the 2 different modes of thinking when learning something new, especially if it’s difficult?

Answer 20

It allows the brain to create connections, fit into the big picture and form ideas in the diffused mode that can then be built upon in focused mode

Question 21

What is the most effective way to gain muscular strength?

Answer 21

Do a little work every day, gradually building, scaffolding

Question 22

What is the most effective way to gain neuro-structure?

Answer 22

Do a little work every day, to gradually grow a near-scaffold to hang your thinking on

Question 23

Why does learning something new or difficult take time?

Answer 23

The brain needs to alternate its way between the two modes of thinking to process and assimilate the new material

Question 24

What analogy can you use to understand the differences between the two modes of thinking?

Answer 24

a pinball machine

Question 25

What type of spacing between rubber bumpers is associated with the focused mode of thinking?

Answer 25

tight spacing which seems to help keep your thoughts concentrated

Question 26

What type of spacing between rubber bumpers is associated with the diffuse mode of thinking and why?

Answer 26

widely spaced which allow for broad ranging ways of thinking

Question 27

What type of thinking is usually associated with focused thinking/learning?

Answer 27

involves thinking about things you are already somewhat familiar with like trying to find a word that rhymes with another or solving multiplication problems

Question 28

where does focused thinking occur?

Answer 28

In the prefrontal cortex

Question 29

What type of thinking is usually associated with diffuse thinking/learning?

Answer 29

trying to solve problems or learn something new

Question 30

Why does trying to solve problems or learn something new need diffuse mode of thinking?

Answer 30

This type of processing needs broad ranging perspectives to go out and seek other information to connect to or pull together in order to see patterns and solve problems

Question 31

What are some strategic ways to activate the diffuse mode?

Answer 31

1. exercise 2. taking a walk or showering

Question 32

Why is it a good idea to move away from concentrating information which you are struggling to understand or a problem you can’t quit figure out?

Answer 32

It allows continued neural processing in the background, just below the conscious awareness, so that new neural structures can be built - i.e. understanding or solution

Question 33

What 2 strategic activities enhance and strengthen the formation of neural structures we are building as we learn something new?

Answer 33

1. Practice activities

2. Spaced Repetition

Question 34

What strategic activity enhances the formation of memories (the formation of strong neural pathways)?

Answer 34

rehearsal activities

Question 35

What stops information from falling out of the four slots found in working memory?

Answer 35

Repetition