Our brain has two modes of thinking - focused and diffuse - that help with learning in different ways. Focused mode is for concentrating on a subject, while diffuse mode occurs when relaxed and allows for creative insights. To learn effectively, one must alternate between these modes, using focused time to study new concepts and diffuse time like sleep to process them. Another important learning technique is chunking, which involves breaking information into smaller, memorable pieces. Procrastination can be addressed using the Pomodoro technique of focused study sessions with breaks, focusing on the process rather than the product, and rewarding oneself upon completion of tasks.

1. By Nitin Binhani nitinbinhani@gmail.com

2. Agenda
How Do We Learn
Distinct Modes of Thinking
Using Modes of Thinking in Learning
Chunking in Learning
Illusions of Competence &Ways to Avoid
Procrastination
Addressing Procrastination
Tips to Effective Learning

3. How Do We Learn?

4. Distinct Modes of Thinking
Focused Mode Diffuse Mode
Either Mode
Not Both
Our brain has two different thinking modes - focused and diffused, each helps us learn though in
different ways. Brain can think in any one mode, but not both, like 2 sides of a coin.
Focused mode is a concentrated form of
thinking. During the focused mode, the brain
focuses intently on a subject for a continued
period of time.
Focused mode is initiated, when you are
learning with concentration or in fully alert
state.
Diffused mode is a relaxed mode of thinking.
During the diffuse mode, the brain is in the
relaxed state and subconsciously does all the
hard work, while you relax.
Diffuse mode is initiated, when you are
sleeping or jogging etc.

5. Using Modes of Thinking in Learning
• To start learning something new, first get into the focused mode, use the
Pomodoro technique (discussed later) – a 25 minute concentration without
any distractions.
• After that either drift to sleep or exercise to get into relax state, this
initiates the diffuse mode. The diffuse mode helps you get creative ideas or
get the big picture – to fit the newly acquired concept/s with the related
learned information that you already know.
• Thus, when learning something new and difficult, your mind needs to be
able to alternate between focused and diffuse learning modes, this way it
grapples with and assimilates the new material and helps you learn
effectively.
• Whenever stuck on a problem / concept, switch your attention away to
diffuse mode, this can help you find new and better ways of tackling the
problem or understanding the concept.

6. Chunking in Learning
What
Why
Who
How
One of the most useful tools for learning is ‘Chunking’.
Chunking is breaking great pieces of information into smaller and
more manageable bits or “chunks”. These chunks interact together
in our brain, like the pieces in a puzzle, to form or understand the
bigger picture. Once you chunk an idea/concept it gets permanently
stored in your memory, and is thus easy to retain at will.
Chunks are best built with:
• By focusing on / paying undivided attention to the subject
• Understanding the basic idea, what you’re learning and
• Practicing it several time – this involves:
- Recall (try recalling the main key points, without looking at the page)
- Transfer (using a chunk to grasp chunk/s of information in different areas)
- Interleaving (practicing different approach / techniques in a single session)
- Spaced Repetition (repeating the content / chunks over a number of days)

7. Illusions of Competence andWays to Avoid
Illusion of competences results from bad / wrong learning habits, here are the few
ones to avoid, along with ways to address them:
⊳ Simply rereading the text, several times – fools you into thinking, you know the material
A research has proven that by using ‘recall’ and ‘spaced repetition’ (both explained
earlier), the students will learn far mode deeper.
⊳ Highlighting extensively – fools into thinking, you’re putting something into your brain
Prefer handwriting notes in the margin rather than just moving your hand, this
synthesize the key concepts.
⊳Merely glancing at a solution – thinking you truly know it yourself
Doing the problem yourself step-by-step, helps you master the subject and do well in
tests . Preparing notes and concept maps by yourself is a good idea.
⊳ Cramming – thinking you truly understand the stuff
There can’t be learning without understanding. By deliberate practice, spaced
repetition, interleaving and regular testing, you can thoroughly master the subject.
Create a visual metaphor or analogy to better understand a concept.

8. Procrastination
Procrastination refers to postponing a task or an activity, when one
should actually address it right away. It’s similar to addition and thus
carries long term ravaging effect on learning too. It’s that unhappy
feeling that one wish to avoid, and thus shift attention to a more
pleasant task. Unfortunately, we all suffer from procrastination.
Procrastination shares its features with habits or addiction and it can be broken
down into 4 phases:
◦ The Cue = Trigger - Location, time, feelings, reaction to an external stimuli
◦ The Routine = Habitual Response or Reaction to the Cue, willpower only needs to
be applied here to change the reaction to the cue.
◦ The Reward = Rewarding yourself with creative / stimulating rewards at the end,
is important step to escape procrastination.
◦ The Belief = To change the habit, you’ll need to change your underlying belief.
Always focus on the process (flow of time) rather than the product (the completion
of the task), it’s always the product that triggers the procrastination.

9. Addressing Procrastination
Pomodoro Technique:
• Use a Pomodoro and set a timer for 20 – 25 minutes
• Pay concentrated or undivided attention to the subject without any
distractions (keep mobile away, avoid television and computer, etc)
• Focus on the process (or studying) not on product (completion of an
chapter)
• Indulge in a 5-min break (quit time), and finally don’t forget to reward at
the end, post completion of the task.
Other Useful Tips:
• Keep a planner journal to easily track your goals.
• Commit yourself to certain routines and tasks each day.
•Write your planned tasks out the night before, it really helps.
• Don’t reward until you've finished a task.
•Watch out for procrastination cues, apply will power to the response instead.
• Gain trust in your new system, but have back up plans if you still procrastinate.
• Finally, eat your frogs first, every day.

10. Tips to Effective Learning
• To learn effectively, you need to alternately switch between focused mode (alert state)
and diffuse mode (relaxed state).
• Focus on what you are learning without any distractions, use Pomodoro technique.
• Avoid passive rereading and too much highlighting, instead aggressively use things
like recall (preferably at different locations to avoid test nervousness). Use own handwriting
notes in the margins to synthesize concepts.
• Beware of ‘illusions of concepts’ instead use ways to overcome them (slide 7).
• Learn using the technique of ‘chunking’, for difficult topics use deliberate practice
visual metaphor / analogy to understand the material and interleaving.
• Never study at the 11th hour, use spaced repetition to glue the concept in your mind.
• Test yourself frequently, this is a form of recall. Just open any page, and try recalling
the material
Continued …

11. Tips to Effective Learning
• Avoidmulti-tasking, focus on one thing at a time.
• To avoid procrastination, use Pomodoro technique (slide 9). Focus on the process
(studying) and not the product (completion)
• Best way to learn, is to be able to explain it to others.
• One of the best way to catch your blind spots or errors, is to brainstorm with others
in a study group. But ensure that conversation remains on the topic.
• Just understanding a problem, by glancing at the solution isn’t enough. To master the
material you have to do it your own way, and be best prepared for the test.
• Whenever feel stressed during the test, take deep breaths at least 2 mins before. And
always have a “Plan B”, in case the test goes poorly.
• Finally do regular exercise and ensure a good 7 hour sleep both are essential for
effective learning and sound body-mind connection.

12. Thank You
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