Practice Makes Permanent 1-5

Question 1

Why are subjects like math and science a bit more challenging for some people?

Answer 1

There is no analogous thing that you can point to-the concept is abstract. Can’t point to something concrete to explain or understand the concept

Question 2

Why is it easier to understand concrete things?

Answer 2

Because your brain can actually see the concrete structure/item and it can immediately find it in its schema

Question 3

Are emotions concrete or abstract?

Answer 3

Abstract

Question 4

Why are emotions easy for the brain to understand?

Answer 4

Because emotions are tied to the limbic system which activates memory and understanding, so even though they are abstract, their feelings associated with their memories are deeply embedded. We can feel emotions even though we can’t point to anything concrete to explain them

Question 5

Why is it important to practice anything new?

Answer 5

To help enhance and strengthen the neural connections you make during the learning process

Question 6

What are neural pathways

Answer 6

The connections that are created between neurons during the learning process that together provide all the information needed for the brain to access a specific memory.

Question 7

Why is it important to practice over time instead of all at once, as in cramming?

Answer 7

Because spaced repetition “sets” and “hardens” the neural pathways so that they can become more and more permanent instead of falling apart like a road is washed away in storms.

Question 8

What happens if you cram instead of space repetition?

Answer 8

the neural pathways formed during learning are very weak and short-lasting. They will deteriorate and eventually be mostly lost.

Question 9

What is abstract thinking?

Answer 9

thinking in terms of concents and generalizations rather than being able to point at or retrieve memories of abstract objects

Question 10

What is concrete thinking?

Answer 10

thinking of objects or ideas as specific items rather than as an abstract representation of a more general concept

Question 11

How are neural pathways strengthened?

Answer 11

Through practice

Question 12

What is spaced repetition?

Answer 12

Spaced repetition is a learning technique that incorporates increasing intervalsof time between subsequent review of previously learned material in order to exploit the psychological spacing effect.

Question 13

What is the spacing effect?

Answer 13

the phenomenon whereby animals (including humans) more easily remember or learn items when they are studied a few times spaced over a long time span (“spaced presentation”) rather than repeatedly studied in a short span of time (“massed presentation”).

Question 14

Who first presented concept of spaced effect?

Answer 14

Hermann Ebbinghaus in 1885

Question 15

What 3 three theories explain why spaced effect enhances the creation and strengthening of neural pathways?

Answer 15

1. study phase retrieval theory
2. Deficient Processing
3. Strategy Shift Hypothesis

Question 16

What is the study phase retrieval theory?

Answer 16

the first presentation is retrieved at the time of the second. This leads to an elaboration of the first memory trace.

Mass presentation doesn’t give same benefit because the first presentation is still active at the same time as the second and subsequent presentations

Question 17

What is Deficient Processing?

Answer 17

massed repetitions lead to deficient processing of the second presentation—that we simply do not pay much attention to the later presentations - instead only achieving recognition memory instead of strengthening pathways

Question 18

What is the Strategy Shift Hypothesis?

Answer 18

Retrieval failure provides learners with the opportunity to evaluate their encoding strategies for effectiveness and adapt their methods accordingly.

Mass presentation does not give learners the opportunity to evaluate encoding strategies in this way.

Question 19

How do neurons become linked together?

Answer 19

Through repeated simultaneous use/activation

Question 20

What is a good way to picture how neurons strengthen from repeated use?

Answer 20

1. Imagine the pinball bumpers with 3 pathways.
2. Imagine one pathway barely visible - early practice
3. Imagine another pathway firmer/darker
4. Imagine a 3rd pathway very dark and solid line

Question 21

Why do many people call learning “studying”?

Answer 21

Because the idea is to work with the information hard by focusing on it intently - to study it from many different angles, with different senses, to pause and think about it while focusing on it intently.

Question 22

Why is it important to take breaks or change focus to something new during studying: learning?

Answer 22

1. During the time of seeming relaxation, the brain’s diffuse mode of thinking/learning is activated (turned on). It has a chance to work away in the background to help achieve conceptual understanding.
2. Gives the neural mortar a chance to dry

Question 23

What does your knowledge base look like if you don’t give the neural mortar time to dry/set through the use of spaced repetition and diffuse thinking activation?

Answer 23