Week 1 - Focussed and diffuse mode of thinking

Question 1

What facilitates learning?

Answer 1

• Different thinking modes (focussed, diffused) help us learn, but in different ways
• Metaphors provide powerful techniques for learning
• Learning something difficult takes time, changing between the two learning states
• Doing a little everyday is key to success. Don’t cram.

Question 2

What are the properties of the focused mode of thinking?

Answer 2

• The focused mode is active when concentrating intently
• Thinking follows familiar patterns
• Processing happens in the prefrontal cortex
• The focused mode is not recommended for coming up with new ideas or finding connections

Question 3

What are the properties of the diffuse mode of thinking?

Answer 3

• The diffuse mode is more relaxed
• Diffuse mode is connected to neural resting states
• It allows broad thinking and thinking about the “big picture”
• It facilitates building new neural connections and finding new solutions.

Question 4

How does procrastination work?

Answer 4

1. You feel unhappy.
2. You funnel your attention to something more pleasant.
3. You feel happier, but only temporarily.
4. Procrastination can become a dysfunctional habit.

Question 5

How can you use the pomodoro technique as a trick against procrastination?

Answer 5

1. Go to or create a low-distraction environment.
2. Set a timer to 25 minutes.
3. Focus on the task at hand.
4. Reward yourself when you’re done.

Question 6

How does practice help you permanent?

Answer 6

• Practice deepens and reinforces neural patterns by repetition.
• Focus hard, then go into diffuse mode (let patterns sink in).

Question 7

What are the properties of long term memory?

Answer 7

• Long term memory needs to be revisited to increase chance to be retrieved later.
• It is like a „warehouse“ with immense capacity.
• It stores fundamental concepts.
• Use spaced repetition for better retention.

Question 8

What are the properties of working memory?

Answer 8

• Working memory can only hold 4 chunks of information.
• Content needs to be repeated to be kept in working memory.
• It is used when something new is being processed and can be seen as “a bad mental blackboard”.

Question 9

What is important to know about sleep and learning?

Answer 9

• Sleep helps the brain to stay healthy. As brain cells shrink during sleep, toxins are washed away.
• Sleep strenghtens important parts of memories and weakens less important memories
• The brain tidies up ideas and concepts during sleep, tougher parts of material are rehearsed.
• Sleep helps figuring out complex problems.

Question 10

What other ways are there to facilitate learning?

Answer 10

• Learning by doing
• Learning by osmosis (work together with experts)
• Active engagement is better than passive listening (e.g. ask a question in a lecture…)
• Take breaks, e.g. by running, walking around, disengaging, juggling
• Have an enriched environment
• Exercise will also increase number of new neurons if there’s no enriched environment
• Test taking
• Don’t get hung up when stuck on a question passion and persistance is probably more important than being smart

Question 11

How can you enter the diffuse mode of thinking?

Answer 11

• Take a walk or get some fresh air
• Do a chore
• Doodle
• The Dali / Edison nap
• Take a shower
• Relax / daydream / defocus
• Exercise
• Juggle

Question 12

What are the benefits of exercise for learning?

Answer 12

• Exercise helps enter the diffuse mode
• Exercise increases the ability to learn
• Exercise improves memory