Hi, I recently made an update in my blog about major changes that happened in the past years when I’ve been away. I also decided to restart my blogging after a long gap to spread what I learn.
Recently I regained my interest towards learning new topics and as a result I restarted attending courses in Coursera. I have done several courses in coursera in the past but there was a 2 year gap after which I am restarting the learning process. And in my path towards self improvement and upskill through coursera, I stumbled upon a course. I did a background check and I saw that this course was released years ago but still a lot of people have such a good review about the course. So I joined this course along with my other courses.
I’ve been doing this course about Learning How To Learn as a parallel course and It was really something worth sharing. So he is my take on the course.
Have you ever struggled to retain information or felt overwhelmed with the amount of material you need to study?
Barbara Oakley's "Learning How to Learn" MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is a comprehensive guide to effective studying. Whether you're a student, professional, or lifelong learner, the insights gained from this course can help you master new skills and knowledge more efficiently and effectively. Her approach to learning emphasises the importance of combining both cognitive and meta-cognitive strategies. She stresses the importance of active recall and spaced repetition in retaining information, as well as the power of chunking information into smaller, manageable parts.
( there’s more )
“Learning how to learn, that's what this course is all about. From Barbara Oakley, it's a journey to find out."
In this post, I'll be covering the main concepts, learning techniques and skills covered in the course and how you can apply them to improve your own learning process( Based on Week 1,2,3 curriculum as I have not completed Week 4 ). Here we go:-
Different modes of the brain and how to effectively switch between them for learning.
Focus mode is like when you're trying really hard to pay attention and solve a puzzle. It's like when you're zooming in on something to see it really clearly. When you're in focus mode, you're paying close attention to what you're trying to learn and trying to understand it as best as you can.
Diffuse mode is like when you take a break and do something else, like play with a toy or go for a walk. When your brain is in diffuse mode, it's still working, but it's not focusing on one thing in particular. This mode is important because it gives your brain a rest and helps it make connections between what you've learned and other things you know.
To effectively learn, it's important to switch between these two modes as needed. For example, you might switch to the diffused mode to take a break or to think about a problem in a different way.
There are a few techniques you can use to switch between these modes, such as :
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What is Procrastination?
Overview and how to overcome it.
Procrastination is a common problem for many people when it comes to learning and other tasks. To overcome procrastination, it's important to understand why you are procrastinating. Is it due to lack of motivation, boredom, or fear of failure?Once you understand why you are procrastinating, you can start to address the underlying issue. For example, if you are lacking motivation, try to find a way to make the task more interesting or relevant to you. Another technique is to break the task down into smaller, more manageable parts. This can make the task feel less overwhelming and help you get started.
Use Pomodoro Technique
"25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of rest. The Pomodoro Technique, it's put to the test."
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique involves breaking work into 25-minute intervals, known as "pomodoros," with short breaks in between. It is based on the idea that humans have a limited amount of attention and focus available, and that working in focused bursts with regular breaks can help us maximise our productivity and avoid burnout. Studies have shown that taking regular breaks can help improve focus, reduce stress, and increase overall productivity. Additionally, research has found that the Pomodoro Technique can help people manage distractions and stay on task, leading to more efficient and effective work.
Learn In Chunks
“Chunk it up, make it stick. Remembering information, it's a trick."
Chunking is the process of breaking information down into smaller, more manageable pieces. This makes it easier to remember and recall the information later on. For example, if you're trying to learn a new language, you might start by learning a set of vocabulary words. Once you've learned those words, you can move on to learning grammar rules, and so on. By breaking the information down into smaller chunks, you can make the learning process less overwhelming and more manageable. It's worth noting that while chunking can be an effective learning strategy, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach and may not be the best approach for all individuals or types of information.
Interleaved Practice
"Mix it up, don't just stick. Interleaved practice, it makes you quick."
Finally, the course also covers interleaved practice. Interleaved practice is a technique where you alternate between practising different skills or subjects. This helps to reinforce the connections between different pieces of information and improves long-term retention. For example, if you're trying to improve your sports skills, you might alternate between practising different sports every other day. By constantly changing up the routine, you'll be able to retain the information better and become a more well-rounded athlete.
The Feynman Technique
Named after Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, the technique involves breaking down a concept into simple, easy-to-understand terms and explaining it as if you were teaching it to a child. This helps you identify any gaps in your own understanding, and by working through the explanations, you can strengthen your grasp of the subject.
The Spacing Effect
The spacing effect is a phenomenon where spreading out your learning over time can improve retention compared to cramming all the information into a single session. This is because our brains are better able to absorb and retain information when we have time to process it and reinforce the connections between different pieces of information. By spacing out your learning, you can make the most of the brain's natural ability to retain information over time.
Mnemonics, visualisation, and more
These memory improvement techniques can enhance our ability to remember information. Mnemonics are mental shortcuts that use associations and acronyms to help us remember information. Visualisation involves creating mental images or pictures to help us associate information with a memorable image. These techniques can be combined with other strategies such as repetition, spaced repetition, and context-based learning to improve our overall memory and retention.
Illusion of competence
The "illusion of competence" refers to the feeling that we understand something when we actually don't. It's like thinking we know how to do a task, but when it comes time to actually do it, we realize we didn't understand it as well as we thought. This can happen in many situations, such as studying for an exam or learning a new skill, and it's important to recognize it in order to improve our learning and avoid making the same mistakes in the future. This can be done through self-quizzing, testing yourself with flashcards, or asking someone to quiz you on the material.
The Role of Sleep in Learning
Another interesting fact covered in the course is the role of sleep in learning. Research has shown that sleep is critical for solidifying new memories and reinforcing the connections between different pieces of information. By getting adequate sleep, you can ensure that your brain has the time it needs to process new information and store it for future recall. Think of sleep as the "save" button for your brain. When we sleep, our brain processes the information we've learned during the day and transfers it from temporary storage ( a.k.a inefficient Blurry Black Board as mentioned in course ) to long-term memory ( a.k.a Data Warehouse of the brain ) . If you don't get enough sleep, your brain will struggle to save and retain new information. On the other hand, if you get enough sleep, your brain will be better equipped to process and remember new information.
Role of Evolution
Our brains have evolved to process information in certain ways, and these evolutionary adaptations can sometimes lead to difficulties with learning and retaining information. For example, some people may have trouble with visual processing, while others may struggle with auditory processing. Understanding the root causes of these difficulties can help you find strategies to overcome them and improve your own learning process.
To Summarise,
"Learning How to Learn" is a comprehensive and valuable course that provides a wealth of information and techniques for anyone looking to improve their learning skills. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this course, you can become a more effective and efficient learner, and unlock your full potential. The knowledge I've gained throughout this course will help me to further develop my skills & apply what I've learned in the course to my daily life, whether it's through self-assessment, practising, chunking, or exploring new subjects and disciplines.
Remember, learning is a lifelong process, and the skills you develop through "Learning How to Learn" will be valuable to you throughout your life.
Support Links
• Barbara Oakley's "Learning How to Learn" Course Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects | Coursera
• Books by Barbara Oakley
Image Credits : Unsplash, Wix
Post Update : I successfully Completed the course with honors. It was an amazing course and I have seen significant improvements in my approach towards learning things.
See Course Accomplishment Certificate Here :
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