My Learning's From

Coursera Course

LEARNING : HOW TO

LEARNPeer Assignment #2

CONTENTS

• Course Introduction

• Basics of Course

• Topic A – Focused & Diffuse modes of thinking

• Topic B - Procrastination

• Topic C - Sleep

• Image Source

• References

COURSE INTRODUCTION

Have you seen a mouse

going away from a cat

because it fears that the cat

will eat it ? What do you

think, from where did the

mouse get to know that the

cats eat mice ? From its

parents ? Or from

experience ?

"Learning is a never-ending process of life.“

Whatever be the answer, the main thing to understand here is that

Even A small animal like rat learns from life.

Similarly, we too

learn from life. From

each phase of our

life, we can learn

something, which

can make our life

simpler.

But, when its the case of learning a subject at school or

university, we loose our interest. We start facing

problems like procrastination, forgetting what we

learnt, distraction from work etc.

Although, age is not a limitation to learning, but trying to

learn something at an older age or after a long time

makes the learning process a little bit tougher.

This course discusses about the problems faced while

learning and the solutions to overcome those

challenges.

Happy learning !!

BASICS OF COURSE

The course broadly talks about :

Focused and Diffuse modes of thinking

Key techniques proven by research to help students learn most efficiently

Illusions of learning

Memory

Chunking

Sleep

Metaphor, story, and visualization in learning

Transfer of ideas and concepts from one area to another

Deliberate practice

Interleaving

Procrastination

Testing

Mindset

Working with others in learning

Cultural similarities and differences in learning

Life-ling learning and broadening your passions

Learning independently

Although, I will be talking mainly about the following three (which are my main topics of the assignment).

Topic A - Focused & diffuse modes of thinking

Topic B - Procrastination

Topic C - Sleep

FOCUSED & DIFFUSE MODES OF THINKING

Topic – A

A human mind never stops thinking. However, sometimes

we don't know that we are thinking. This gives rise to

the modes of thinking.

Our brain thinks in 2 modes namely:

Focused mode

Diffuse mode

Focused mode is when we concentrate on doing something with full attention. Its the time when we try to learn something. Probably when we are interested in learning.

I relate is to the phrase "eyes wide & ears open". Teachers often say this during school time because they want our full attention on the chapter told by them.

Diffuse mode is when even while walking on the street, something goes in brain. May be the tensions, may be some funny instances..

Have you ever noticed that you get some very good ideas while you are travelling, or while bathing ?

I have realized that I often find the solutions to my problems while travelling. During travelling, I find my brain free and lost somewhere. And, somehow I think about a problem and I get very good ideas on solving it.

In Focused mode,

Taking one idea in our brain, we are able to think only about it.

It is hard to connect the dots.

Preciseness in thinking is there.

 

In Diffuse mode,

Taking one idea in our brain, we are able to relate to several other concepts, which are otherwise not directly connected to it.

Its easier to connect the dots (i.e. Chunks of wisdom).

The big picture gets visible.

WHICH MODE IS THE BEST FOR LEARNING ?

When you're learning something new, especially something that's

a little more difficult, your mind needs to be able to go back

and forth between the two different learning modes. That's

what helps you learn effectively.

PROCRASTINATION

Topic – B

It is a situation where we prefer doing less

important tasks leaving behind the work

which is of higher priority.

REASONS BEHIND PROCRASTINATION[1]

The reasons behind procrastination are :

Skill Deficits

Lack of interest

Lack of motivation

Fear of Failure

Fear of Success

SKILL DEFICITS

If you lack the skills to complete certain tasks, it is only natural to avoid doing them.

For example, you may be a slow reader. If you have several lengthy articles to read before you can write a paper, you may postpone the reading because it is difficult. You may even have trouble admitting your poor reading skills because you do not want to be seen as seem "dumb." Thus procrastinating may seem better than facing your need to improve your reading skills.  

The key to solving skill problems, is to identify what the problems are. Often a counselor, an instructor, or another professional can help you to make this determination. When you know the problem, then you can take action to correct it.

LACK OF INTEREST

If your natural interests are not stimulated by the course content, one solution to procrastinating may be to "just do it" (i.e., simply continue to attend class and do the assigned work on time).

This will give you more "guilt-free" time to do those things that are more interesting to you. Of course, it won't necessarily make the class or assignment interesting, but at least you will not cloud the "good times" with worry. [2]

This time the solution is to break it down.  Take that complex task and break it down to its bare essential components and then tackle each one of those components one at a time.

LACK OF MOTIVATION

Most procrastinators believe that something is wrong with them if they do not feel motivated to begin a task.

One has to understand that starting a task is the real motivator, rather than, motivation needing to be present prior to beginning the task. Often just taking the first step, regardless of how small, can serve as an inducement and thus a motivator for further action.

Solution : The basic principle is reframing.  If you know the job has to be done but it’s not emotionally important to you, find a way to make it important.

FEAR OF FAILURE

It goes something like this: If I really try hard and fail, that is worse than if I don't try and end up failing. In the former case, I gave it my best and failed. In the latter, because I really did not try, I truly did not fail.

For example, you may postpone studying for a major test and then pull an "all-nighter." The resulting grade may be poor or mediocre, but you can say, "I could have done better if I had had more time to study."

The payoff for procrastinating is protecting ourselves from the possibility of perceived "real" failure

FEAR OF SUCCESS

Here you procrastinate because you are fearful of the consequences of your achievements. Maybe you fear that if you do well, then next time, even more will be expected of you. Or, perhaps, succeeding may place you in the spotlight when you prefer the background.

Procrastination of this kind may indicate an internal identity conflict. If your self worth is tied to your level of achievement, then you may constantly question yourself about how much you must do to be "good enough." Each success only sets you up for the next bigger challenge. Each success only opens the door to greater expectations.

The key to fight it is by thinking that - My current level of skill isn’t going to increase unless I practice. And I can’t practice until I implement.

SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES TO HANDLE PROCRASTINATION

Pomodora Technique

It involves a 25-minute fully focused learning keeping the distractions away.

A break has to be taken after a focused session.

A reward should also be taken as a token of learning something.

MORE ABOUT PROCRASTINATION Keep a planner journal so you can easily track when you

reach your goals and observe what does and doesn't work.

Write your planned tasks out the night before so your brain has time to dwell on your goals and help ensure success.

Arrange your work into a series of small challenges.

Always make sure you reward yourself.

Take a few minutes to savor the feelings of happiness and triumph, which also gives your brain a chance to temporarily change modes.

Deliberately delay rewards until you've finished a task.

Watch for procrastination cues.

Try putting yourself in new surroundings with few procrastination cues, such as the quiet section of a library.

Always do the easiest and the hardest tasks at first.

Have back up plans for when you still procrastinate.

SLEEP

Topic – C

Do you know ??

Remaining awake creates toxic wastes in brain .

Sleep removes toxins from brain.

Lack of sleep can also be associated with all sorts of nasty

conditions including headaches, depression, heart disease,

diabetes, and even death.

Sleep is an important part of the memory and learning

process.

During sleep, brain tidies up ideas and concepts your thinking

about and learning.

It erases the less important parts of memories and

strengthens areas that we need or want to remember.

During sleep your brain also rehearses the tougher parts of

whatever we are trying to learn, going over and over neural

patterns to deepen and strengthen them.

If you're going over what you're learning right before you take

a nap or going to sleep for the evening you have an increased

chance of dreaming about it.

IMAGE SOURCE

http://www.gopixpic.com/240/cat-and-mouse-mobile-wallpaper/http:%7C%7Cwww*mobiletoones*com%7Cdownloads%7Cwallpapers%7Cfunny_wallpapers%7Cpreview%7C23%7C73629-cat-and-mouse*jpg/

http://izquotes.com

REFERENCES

http://success.oregonstate.edu/six-reasons-people-procrastinate

http://www.marcandangel.com/2010/11/22/7-common-causes-and-proven-cures-for-procrastination/

Course Material

Thank you