Week 2: Chunking Flashcards
Learning: What is chunking?
Grouping of coherent information. If you divide a difficult subject into chunks, it will help you to see the bigger picture, and to remember the individual chunks better, because you can relate the information together. Think of learning a song where you learn a phrase at a time. Over time you add these chunks together and learn the complete song. The best chunks are the ones that are so well engrained, that you don’t have to consciously think about connecting the neural pathway together.
Learning: When using a worked out example to help you to learn something, what is often overlooked?
The connection between the steps of a solution. Most people focus too much on the individual steps.
Learning: What are the different steps of chunking?
1) focus your undivided attention on the subject.
2) Understand the basic idea you’re trying to chunk.
=> allow the focussed and diffused to interchange
3) Gain context: so you can not only say how, but when to use this chunk.
4) practice
Learning: how important is understanding in chunking?
Very important. It is like superglue that holds the underlying bits of information together.
Learning: Is understanding enough to remember chunks?
No, this does not create a chunk that you can recall later. You need to review it fairly soon after you learn it.
Learning: One common mistake that learners make is to refuse to move on in their reading until they fully understand the material in the book in front of them. But sometimes skipping ahead can help. Which learning practice might help prevent getting bogged down by petty details before you begin to see the bigger picture?
Try taking a “picture walk” through the material to gain big picture context before diving into the details
Learning: Is re-reading a useful study tool?
No, you must recall the material.
Learning: How do you use ‘recall’ study method?
After reading, turn the book away and see what you can recall.
Learning: Is concept mapping an effective study tool?
No, you must use recall to study. It’s like learning advanced chess, before you know the basic concepts of how the pieces move.
Learning: What is the biggest illusion of mastering material?
When you look at a solution and you think you got it. => It is not your solution, it is not persisted in your memory.
Learning: Is underlining and highlighting an effective study method?
No because you fool your brain into thinking you know stuff. As if making lots of motions with your hand can fool you into thinking you’ve placed the concept in your head. So keep it to a minimum.
Learning: Are notes you make in the margin of a document a good study method?
Yes.
Learning: How can you make sure you’re not fooling yourself when learning?
Test your knowledge. Mistakes help correct your thinking.
Learning: Why is it important to recall material outside of the room/setting where you first learned it?
Because you subliminally attach information of the room to the material. This can throw you off when you need the material in another setting.
Learning: Motivation is controlled by what chemical substance? How is it activated/increased?
Dopamine. It increases if an expected or unexpected reward presents itself. This is why a treat after a study session in the pomodore technique is so important.
