Power up your brain: Power up your brain: how to be a good how to be a good

learnerlearner by Yichao Sunby Yichao Sun

Aug. 2014Aug. 2014

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Why we want to be a good learner?

To use our time effectivelyTo master the materialsTo build up self confidenceTo enhance our learning experience

In this slideshow, I am going to talk about three key components associated with our brain that would help you to learn effectively.

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I.Focused and diffuse mode (two modes of thinking)

II.Practice (how memory plays a role in learning)

III.Habit ( four elements form the habit)

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I. Focused VS Diffuse Mode of Thinking

Focused Mode• Concentrated• Fixed neural

pathway

Diffuse Mode• Relaxed• Develop new

neural pathway

VS

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Focused ModePomodoro technique: ideally 25 minutes no interruption focused studyFollowed by 5-10 minutes breakHelp learners to concentrate

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Diffused Mode

Listening toMusic

Driving Sleep

Daydream

Exercises

DiffusedMode

Neurons make new connections

Help when we learn new things or solve challenging problems

Help creative thinking

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II. Practice

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Why Practice Makes Permanent?

• Long-term memory has the physical change in the connections between neurons, whereas short-term memory has not (Hebb,1949).

• Learning is associated with the increasing electrical signals at synapses, so the neurons could communicate more effectively (Kandel,2001)

• Practice and repetition reinforce the connections and make long-term memory permanent.

ReconsolidationShort-term memory ( in hippocampus)

Long-term memory (in cerebral cortex)

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III. Habit

Excellence is not an act but a habit.

-- Aristole

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What is Habit?• A habit, from the standpoint of

psychology, is a more or less fixed way of thinking, willing, or feeling acquired through previous repetition of a mental experience.

American Journal of Psychology (1903)

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4 Elements in Habit

• The Cue: the trigger eg, time, place

• The Routine: physically, mentally, emotionally

• The Reward: release dopamine which facilities the cravings

• The Belief: can-do belief

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Example of Forming a Study Habit

1. Cue: 7 Pm

2. Routine: Study 25 mins

3. Reward: Get a cup of tea or chocolate

4. Belief: feel good, and do it again

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Take-home Message

Pomodoro helps focus and concentration while diffused mode makes us more creative.Practice bit by bit everyday to lay solid foundation of neural connections.Identify the cue to form/breakup habits.

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Happy Learning &Happy Learning &Thank You for Thank You for

WatchingWatching

Happy Learning &Happy Learning &Thank You for Thank You for

WatchingWatching

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References• Andrews, B. R. (1908). Habit. American Journal of Psychology, 14(2),

Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1412711 • Cirillo, F. (2006). The Pomodoro Technique. Retrieved from

http://baomee.info/pdf/technique/1.pdf• Carrión, O, A, et, al, (2010). Dopaminergic reward system: a short

integrative review. Retrieved from http://www.intarchmed.com/content/3/1/24

• Gle, J. (2013). Hacking Habits: How To Make New Behaviors Last For Good. Retrieved from http://99u.com/articles/7230/hacking-habits-how-to-make-new-behaviors-last-for-good

• Hebb,D,O. (1949). The Organization of Behavior: A Neuropsychological Theory. New York: Wiley.

• Kandel, E, R. (2001). The Molecular Biology of Memory Storage: A Dialogue between Genes and Synapses. Science 294.

• Levitin, D. (2014). Hit the reset button in your brain. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/10/opinion/sunday/hit-the-reset-button-in-your-brain.html?_r=0

• Pomodoro, (online image). Retrieved from http://efficiencyhq.com/time-management/the-pomodoro-technique/

• Shen J. (2013). The science of practice: what happens when you learn a new skill. Retrieved from http://lifehacker.com/the-science-of-practice-what-happens-when-you-learn-a-510255025

• White, R. (2014). Memory Is Repetition and Reinforcement. Retrieved from

• http://memorise.org/brain-articles/memory-repetition-reinforcement-001785.htm

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