Learning Trick- CHUNKING

4:02 AM Posted by Unknown No comments

Learning - Fire together wire together


Learning is an activity which involves to create the new connection or activate the existing connection for the thoughts. As we discussed in the earlier pomorodo technique we can switch between the focused and diffused mode to get better understanding the concept .

The following video shows Micro - photography of how our learning activity creates the neural connection and  effects of neural network in the brain.

        Video Courtesy:Dr. Joe Despenza


Its important to develop the efficient building blocks for future learning connection.
So lets chunk...

Chunking - Chopping into the info pack! 

Have you ever experienced  with picure puzzle?
By connecting the related bits of the building blocks to create the big picture.





Chunking is a technic used to create the neural hooks or points.If we can create the effective and  meaningful chunks,It boost the brain functioning such as speed retrieval and solid understanding for the strong neural structures.


We can apply the Pomorodo method to create the strong neural network patterns which exposes between focused and diffuse thinking mode ( Work & Relax Loops ) in bits by bits.


Strong neural structure based on bricks.


                                Image Courtesy:  https://www.coursera.org/course/learning




Chunking Steps

You can create the best and useful chunks with consists of the 3 major steps as follows

   Focused Attention ------------------> Understand --------------------------> Practice

  1. Focused attention

Switch on to the focus mode to a problem that fetches the related neural hooks into the working memory slots, which is located  right behind the forehead, the pre-frontal cortex of  the brain. 

 Courtesy: www.coursera.org/course/learning
  • Chunking style depends on the discipline (Language, math)
  • New thought create the new neural pattern and connects with the existing related chunks
  • While in the negative thoughts or moods or background interruptions , chunking or route might be unclear.
  • Working memory slots are limited ( According to recent research study- about 4 slots)
  • You can create the complex ideas, activities , results into  a single chunk.

  2. Understand

Understand the chunking involves to figure out the main ideas or concepts pretty naturally. Switching between the focused and diffused modes of thinking support to explore and understand the main idea perfectly.


Its like a super glue that helps hold the underlying the memory traces together. it can form the broad encompassing traces that link to other traces.
  • Chunks which are created without understanding know as "Useless chunks" 
  • In most disciplines "Truly understand means truly you can do it your self" . 
  • Even truly understood does not mean that you can actually do it, only do it your self create helps to mastery.
  • misunderstanding the understanding can form "Illusion of competence"(Discuss later)  
     Amazing Video Big vs Small Click on: Power of ten- Yotta Vs Yocta

   3. Practice

By practicing not only create the strong neural connections but also broadening and makes accessible through many different routes.Gaining the and  understanding the concept more broaden than the initial state known as "Context". That gives the solid statement when to use or not to use the chunks.
Approach consists the following 2 methods

  1. Top down Learning (Big picture)

        Allows to see the big picture of the concept and where it can fit.

     2.   Bottom up Learning (Chunking)  

     
          Repetitive practice helps to build and strength chunks.



  • Context  Where the place top down and bottom up learning meets.
  • Both methods are important to mastery over the material
  • Chunking may involve how to use the problem solving techniques
  • Context helps to when to use the techniques.
  • Learn the key concepts first.
  • practice makes permanent.

Thinking Modes

3:59 AM Posted by Unknown No comments

Focused mode and Diffuse mode

Have you ever had Archimedes eureka effect?
Suddenly flashed by the solution for your problem while you are doing a different task. That is the thumbs up signals generated for your dedication by the brain. Actually brain is operating in two different modes. 
    1. Focused Mode
    2. Diffused Mode
when we are thinking, our thought generates the neuron firings in the brain region to find the solution, 
you can compare the neuron firing with following pinball video clip 



So we can apply the same concept of the pinball machine to our brain thinking modes


Focused mode: According to our past experiences and knowledge we learnt a traditional approach that structured the neural path to solving a problem in a rational ways.Coverage of narrow route. 


Diffuse modeThe best thing that rather than killing your mood on struck on a specific problem. Instead - divert your focus to a completely different activity, which forces your brain to relax. Take a shower. Go walking or jogging  by the beach. Your brain will continue working on the problem by making random connections in an unstructured order surprisingly the answer (epiphany)!s popped up. Coverage of the big picture.


Brain can work at any one of the above mode at a given time.


Courtesy: A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra), by Barbara Oakley


Concentration on the specific problem or activity       Relax mode or driving different problem     
 -  working on math problem                                                   - Going jogging , listening music

Traditional approach to solving                                            Different or innovative approach
in rational and analytic ways.

Functioning brain pre-frontal cortex                                       Big picture perspective

Mostly structured route                                                          Unstructured random route


Thanks to Tanvi Jagtap for following video animation that explains the thinking modes

  Courtesy: Tanvi Jagtap


Key Learning Technique - POMORODO

3:58 AM Posted by Unknown No comments


Courtesy: blog.perfectapi.com

POMODORO Tech

Pomorodo is a time management technique developed by Fransesco Cirillo. It supports to alert and understand the status of our activities. Its clearly split our time into scheduled activities and breaks.

According to the thinking mode study, the worst thing to do once you are block on a certain problem is to keep on doing. Instead redirect your attention to a completely different activity, which forces your brain to relax.


So POMORODO approach allows our brain in effective way to forming strong chunks based on activity and break loops.

Activity and Break loops.Courtesy :blog.clarity.fm

Setup 

You can set up the timer in different methods. 

  1. Use the low tech approach, as using mechanical timer, paper and pencil
  2. Download the application or app from this link http://www.teamviz.com/pomodoro-app/ 


Steps to implement the technique 
  • Schedule the activity
  • Make sure to avoid or minimise  distractions 
  • Set the pomodoro timer to traditional 25min
  • Focus on the work until alarm rings
  • Take a short break (5 - 10 min) or reward
  • After 4 pomodoro take mini break ( 15 - 20 min) or self appreciation reward
  • Check the evaluation 


By practicing in the pomodoro planner you are switching your brain between focused and diffused mode that makes your strong neural learning experience in more efficient and enjoyable way.

Tips
According to your activity priority   

  • Turn your phones into flight mode or turn off
  • Sign off from the social network, instant messaging   
Avoid the procrastination 
  • Brain is forcing you to make the more desire or joy able activity rather focus on unpleasant activity. 
  • Make sure you to note the activity which causes the effect, that will help to understand the cue and develop the remedies.
  • Watch motivational or inspirational video clips.  
Image Courtesy:Procrastination funneling,image © 2014 Kevin Mendez
Short or mini break ideas
  • Breathing or Pranayamam exercises  can go a long way in five minutes to center your mind and body. 


                                                   Courtesy : quarktechinc

  • Massage your neck, forehead or hand for yourself
  • Do a quick organisational chore just something small, like emptying out your backpack, purse, or briefcase, and reorganizing it, or cleaning up your desk area and tossing unnecessary documents. 
  • Go and take some fresh air or have a window view or have a glass of water

Brain - The Learning Machine

3:54 AM Posted by Unknown No comments

Brain


The greatest machine you will ever own your body. It is more complicated than any computer or man made systems. Brain is factory that consists of many systems such as electrical, chemical, mechanical and more. its a seats of your thoughts, behaviours, emotions, imagination, cognition and more.
The Following image shows the brain functions with appropriate areas
[Image courtesy:Mayo Foundation] 

Some fascinating facts about brain:
  • It can generate 25 watts of power at any given time
  • It can not feel anything,that means it does not have pain receptors.
  • It has over 100,000 miles of axon wires in your brain.
  • Actually its more active when its in sleep mode
  • You could survive only having one side of your brain

with evolution human brain has become more and more complex creation and even it can continue to develop in your life span, and many of interesting properties still not well understood by scientist.


The following video clips show the brain parts and their functions

Courtesy:MAGIC BOX ANIMATION

LHTL Project- Brain Yoga

9:06 AM Posted by Unknown No comments

Project Overview


    Brain Yoga


    Brain yoga is a project concept focused on Learn How To Learn.
    Learning is an activity which actually we are doing all the time. But most of the time we do not aware it. Yes our brain is a powerhouse that works 24/7 basis. If you can understand your powerhouse (master) and manage it effective and efficient ways, you can be master for your world. Sounds cool right! Yes learning is an adventure and even more fun.So I have decided to break the key components and even most of the topics interrelated with other topics, so  here we go...



    Key Topics                                              

    • Brain - Understanding the learning machine
    • Thinking Modes
    • Key learning technique - POMODORO
    • Learning cycle and patterns  
      • Mindset
      • Illusions of learning 
      • Testing
      • Metaphor, story, and visualization in learning 
      • Procrastination
    •  Memory 
      •  Chunking 
      •  Sleep 
      •  Transfer of ideas and concepts from one area to another
    •  Tips and Tricks                                         
      •    Working with others in learning 
      •  Cultural similarities and differences in learning 
      •  Life-long learning and broadening your passions 
      •  Learning independently


    Primary and Secondary sources:

    Combined with my personal experience,
    Material has been used in this blog's data from 
    • Coursera online Learn how to learn programme, wikipedia, & youtube.
    • Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience By Jaaskelainen and Venture Publishing ApS.

    Instructors

    Dr.Terrence Senjonwski
    Dr.Barbara Oakely

    University of California, San Diego