This document discusses how to be a good learner by focusing on three key components of the brain: focused vs diffuse thinking modes, the role of practice in forming memories, and how habits are formed. It explains that focused mode aids concentration while diffuse mode allows for creative thinking. Practice and repetition reinforce neural connections, forming long-term memories. Habits are cued routines that provide rewards to create beliefs driving repeated behaviors. Strategies like the Pomodoro technique optimize these components to improve learning.

1. Power up your brain:Power up your brain:
how to be a good learnerhow to be a good learner
by Yichao Sunby Yichao Sun
Aug. 2014Aug. 2014
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2. Why we want to be a
good learner?
To use our time effectively
To master the materials
To build up self confidence
To 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. Focused Mode
Pomodoro technique:
ideally 25 minutes no
interruption focused
study
Followed by 5-10
minutes break
Help learners to
concentrate
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6. Diffused Mode
Listening to
Music
Driving Sleep
Daydream
Exercises
Diffused
Mode
Neurons make new
connections
Help when we learn
new things or solve
challenging problems
Help creative
thinking
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7. II. Practice
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8. 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.
Reconsolidation
Short-term
memory ( in
hippocampus)
Long-term
memory (in
cerebral cortex)
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9. III. Habit
Excellence is not an act but a habit.
-- Aristole
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10. 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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11. 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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12. 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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13. 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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14. Happy Learning &Happy Learning &
Thank You forThank You for
WatchingWatching
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15. 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-yo
• 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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