Week 2: Chunks Flashcards
What is a chunk?
Mental connection or leap that unite scattered bits of info into a meaning
Benefits of chunking
- Compress info
- Can be expanded on
- Multiple chunks can used to make connections
Working Memory
Typically 4 slots in frontal cortex that grabs memory from our stored memory to make connections
What happens when our brains become stressed?
Our brains lose the ability to make connections
How do chunks work?
Smaller chunks can from bigger chunks
What are the best kind of chunks?
Ones that become subconscious
What is the first step to building a chunk?
Giving focused undivided attention on the info you want to chunk
What is the second step to building a chunk?
Understanding the basic idea
What is the third step to building a chunk?
Gaining context
What are the two types of learning?
Bottom up Chunking
“Practice and repetition”
Top Down
“Seeing the bigger picture”
What is recall?
Technique to read the material and then try to remember from memory
Describe how Recalling work in relation to working memory
- Working memory typically 4 slots.
- When learning and recalling something new, all 4 slots are in use to figure it out.
- Once a chunk is established, our working memory only needs 1 slot.
Example is like a chunk become URL where when our working memory needs to find info, it just puts in the URL and info pops up.
What is the Illusion of Competence?
When we fool ourselves to thinking we learned the material
How do we fall into the Illusion of Competence?
When we use Google or Open book rather than recalling from memory
Learning in different environments can…?
Feeling of uncomfortableness
Allow us to access info anywhere
What are neuromodulators?
Chemicals in the brain that influences that affect how neurons respond to each other
What the three neuromodulators we hear about?
Acetylcholine
Dopanine
Serotonin
What is Acetylcholine?
Responsible for activating circuits in the brain leading to long term memory
What is Dopamine?
Responsible for that feel good feeling
Predicts future rewards and motivates us
What is Serotonin?
Regulates emotions and body functions
Emotion in learning
Emotions and cognitive functions are intertwined and affect our ability to learn
What is the Library of Chunks
Where we store and access chunks we have established
What is transfer?
Using chunked concepts and applying to other fields
What are the two ways we use chunks to solves a problem?
- Sequential Step by Step
- Intuition
What thinking mode does the process “Sequential Step by Step” use?
Focused
What thinking mode does the process “Intution” use?
Diffused
What is the Law of Serendipity?
Lady luck favors those who try
What is overlearning?
Continuing to study or practice after mastering the material.
Benefits of Overlearning?
Creating Automaticity
Cons of Overlearning
- Can be a waste of valuable learning time
- Doesn’t help solidify long term memory connections
- Creates the illusion of Competence
What material should you focus on to become a great student?
Focusing on harder material
What is the concept of Einstellung?
A strongly developed chunk, thought, or idea that prevents a better idea or solution from being found.
What is interleaving?
Bouncing back between different problems or situations that require different approaches
Benefits of interleaving
Creates connections between different concepts
Enhances creativity
