The document discusses various techniques for effective learning. It covers modes of thinking like focused thinking which concentrates on the task at hand versus diffuse thinking which allows the mind to wander and make connections. It also discusses procrastination and provides tips to overcome it like setting to-do lists and limiting distractions. Regarding memory, it explains how repetition and spaced practice can strengthen long-term memory versus short-term memory which decays quickly. Finally, it offers tips for learning efficiently such as chunking information, interleaving topics, avoiding illusions of competence, and not falling for the Einstellung effect of relying on past solutions too much.

1. Learning How To Learn
Peer-graded Assignment: Learn by teaching others how to learn
By Sara Abudahab

2. TABLEOFCONTENTS
MODES OF THINKING
PROCRASTINATION
MEMORY
TIPS FOR LEARNING EFFICIENTLY
1
2
3
4

3. Modes of thinking
When we are solving a problem, there are two ways we can consider
it: using focused thinking or using diffuse thinking.

4. 1- Focused thinking
Is when we are really concentrating
on the matter at hand.
Focused thinking is a highly
attentive state of mind where the
brain uses its best concentration
abilities in the prefrontal cortex to
ignore all extraneous information.

5. 2-Diffuse thinking
Looks at the big picture.
Unlike focused thinking, diffuse thinking is
all about distractions.
Diffuse thinking happens when you let
your mind wander freely, making
connections at random.
The diffuse mode of thinking does not
happen any one area of the brain, but
rather all over. In fact, that is the beauty of
diffuse thinking: your brain has the
opportunity to connect the dots and link
neural processes.

6. Which mode is best for learning?
Alternating between them both!
Watch this video that mentions how Salvador Dalí
and Steve Job used both modes to learn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTr12dK2Se0
Focused Mode Diffuse Mode Focused Mode Again

7. Procrastination
Why do we procrastinate?
-We don’t enjoy the task we are doing
-We are afraid of failure
-We are afraid of imperfection
-We are overwhelmed

8. 01
Set a To-Do-List
before you
sleep
02
Focus on the
process not the
product
03
Avoid
distractions
and learn how
to react to
them
04
Work for 25
minutes with no
interruptions
Then reward
yourself
Procrastination solutions

9. Set a To-Do-List before you sleep
-Do it at night before you sleep
-Don’t cram it with a lot of tasks
-Be reasonable
-Set the time you want to finish
-Make it fun as well

10. Focus on the process no the product

11. Avoid distractions and learn how to react
to them

12. Work for 25 minutes with no interruptions
Then reward yourself

13. Systems of memory
Short-term memory differs from long-term memory in two fundamental ways, with
only short-term memory demonstrating temporal decay and capacity limits. Long-term
memory however, can store vast amounts of information and is permanent.

14. How to gain long-term memory?
1- PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT (repetition)
• Just as weightlifting and physical exercise builds your muscles, when
you're learning the nerve cells in your brain are growing with mental exercise
and these neurons are developing greater connectivity.
• The growth and rewiring of our brain cells is called neuroplasticity.
Connections neurons become greater which leads to increasing your ability to
remember what you learnt

15. How to gain long-term memory?
2- SPACED REPETITION
because we haven’t stored the information in the long-term
part yet.

16. Learn how
to Chunk
1
Increase
Interleaving
learning!
2
Avoid
illusions of
competence!
3
Avoid the
Einstellung
effect!
4
Now it’s time to start learning efficiently

17. 1- Chunking
• Chunking refers to the strategy of
breaking down information into bite-
sized pieces so the brain can more
easily digest new information.
• Also it will let your brain recall them all
together much faster in the future
(because you are using one tentacle
out of four of you “octopus of
attention and diffuse tentacles”)

18. Look for the big picture
Before starting a new chapter look for
the big picture by for example:
-reading the titles of the chapter’s
subsection or
-reading first paragraph of each section
or
-going through the questions at the end
of the chapter
That way when you read it you will know
what you should focus on.

19. 2-Interleaving
• Interleaving is a process
where students mix, or
interleave, multiple
subjects or topics while
they study in order to
improve their learning.

20. 3-Avoid illusions of competence
Illusions of competence describes a
mental situation where you think you've
mastered a set of material but you really
haven't.
• Always test yourself (Recall)
• Test yourself in multiple locations
• Minimize highlighting
• Mistakes are good
• Use deliberate practice

21. 4- Avoid Einstellung Effect
Einstellung is the development of a mechanized state of mind which refers to a
person's predisposition to solve a given problem in a specific manner even
though better or more appropriate methods of solving the problem exist.
The Einstellung effect is the negative effect of previous experience when
solving new problems.
The Einstellung effect has been tested experimentally in many different
contexts. The most famous example is the Luchins' water jar experiment, in
which subjects were asked to solve a series of water jar problems. After solving
many problems which had the same solution, subjects applied the same solution
to later problems even though a simpler solution existed (Luchins, 1942).

22. And always remember the
Law of Serendipity:
Lady Luck favors the one who tries.