Practice Makes Permanent 1-5 Flashcards
Why are subjects like math and science a bit more challenging for some people?
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
Why is it easier to understand concrete things?
Because your brain can actually see the concrete structure/item and it can immediately find it in its schema
Are emotions concrete or abstract?
Abstract
Why are emotions easy for the brain to understand?
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
Why is it important to practice anything new?
To help enhance and strengthen the neural connections you make during the learning process
What are neural pathways
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.
Why is it important to practice over time instead of all at once, as in cramming?
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.
What happens if you cram instead of space repetition?
the neural pathways formed during learning are very weak and short-lasting. They will deteriorate and eventually be mostly lost.
What is abstract thinking?
thinking in terms of concents and generalizations rather than being able to point at or retrieve memories of abstract objects
What is concrete thinking?
thinking of objects or ideas as specific items rather than as an abstract representation of a more general concept
How are neural pathways strengthened?
Through practice
What is spaced repetition?
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.
What is the spacing effect?
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”).
Who first presented concept of spaced effect?
Hermann Ebbinghaus in 1885
What 3 three theories explain why spaced effect enhances the creation and strengthening of neural pathways?
- study phase retrieval theory
- Deficient Processing
- Strategy Shift Hypothesis
What is the study phase retrieval theory?
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
What is Deficient Processing?
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
What is the Strategy Shift Hypothesis?
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.
How do neurons become linked together?
Through repeated simultaneous use/activation
What is a good way to picture how neurons strengthen from repeated use?
- Imagine the pinball bumpers with 3 pathways.
- Imagine one pathway barely visible - early practice
- Imagine another pathway firmer/darker
- Imagine a 3rd pathway very dark and solid line
Why do many people call learning “studying”?
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.
Why is it important to take breaks or change focus to something new during studying: learning?
- 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.
- Gives the neural mortar a chance to dry
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?
