Learning How to Learn - A Review

Learning is not a simple process. 

That's what the course "Learning How to Learn", a Coursera MOOC, has been teaching me. In this article, I will resume the main points of the lessons I've learned so far, and why they are important.

Focused and Diffuse Modes

Our brain usually operates in two different modes that do not happen concomitantly. Whenever we use one of these modes, the other cannot be accessed.

When the focused mode is on, our brains are usually trying to solve a problem, so we focus all of our attention on this problem. In this mode, our brain is trying to follow familiar neural paths, trying to figure out how to solve the problem. 

The diffuse mode, on the other hand, happens when we are resting, relaxing or doing a physical activity. The brain is only barely aware of the problem in the background, so this mode allows the brain to find new neural pathways and figure out the solution to a problem that we could not have found in the focused mode.

A famous example of the focused and diffuse mode in action is the story of Archimedes, who was trying to solve a problem on how to assess the purity of gold. He had probably focused on that problem for a long time, but one day he figured out the solution while taking a bath (or so the legend says).

Moments of relaxation are just as important as focused work when we are trying to solve a problem or learn something new. 

The importance of sleep

While we are awake, our brains slowly get filled with toxins, and when we sleep, these toxins are washed away. We need rest so the hippocampus is able to transfer information to the cortex, where it will be stored by processes known as consolidation and reconsolidation of memories.

We might think that cramming a lot of content right before a test will help us to remember better because the period between studying and the test is short. And yes, you will remember a lot of information if you study the day before the test and then have a good night's sleep, but after that, if you don't see this content anymore, you will most definitely forget it. Cramming is not advisable for life-long learning. 

When we use strategies such as spaced repetition and study a little bit every day, every time we sleep, the memories of the things we learned will be stored in the brain. After each study session, the neural pathway of the thing we are learning will be strengthened, and the information will be more easily recalled. 

Chunking

We use this strategy in our day-to-day lives, for example, when we have to memorize a cellphone number so we can save it on our phones. We do not memorize each number alone, we "chunk" the numbers together to make it easier. It's also possible to use this strategy for daily activities, like driving out of your garage. In the beginning, you have to focus on each part of the process, but with time and practice, the whole thing becomes automatic: you successfully chunked the action into one thing you can do without thinking.

Chunks can be defined as compact packages of information that your mind can easily access.

The act of chunking is combining little pieces of information into a chunk, usually through meaning. We can also chunk meaningless things (like the first 6-7 digits of pi, for example), but usually, they don't get stored in our memory for a long time unless there's plenty of practice. 

There are 4 steps in the process of chunking:

1. Focus your undivided attention. This is where you'll have to use more brain power to really make sure you are able to see the whole process. Even to memorize a phone number we can't be too distracted.
2. Understand the basic idea. Chunks are more easily formed when the information is connected through meaning. This is the moment where you will try to extract the maximum amount of knowledge from what you're learning.
3. Gain context. Although it is possible to form meaningless chunks, it is easier to form them when there is context. Try to see where this chunk is used and how the information is connected.
4. Practice. The other three steps will be consolidated by practice over several days, weeks, or even years, depending on what you are trying to learn. Be it driving, juggling, a new language, or how to solve thermodynamic problems, the practice will ensure we don't forget the chunk formed. 

Remember: Only doing all the steps by yourself will create the neural patterns that underlie true mastery. 

Seek → Sense → Share

Seek → Sense → Share are the elements that compose a framework created by Harold Jarche: the PMK (Personal Knowledge Mastery).

The "seek" element is the element of searching, studying, analysing, and discerning. This is the first moment of the learning process, where we are still trying to see the general picture of what we're trying to achieve. This step can be done by watching a video, choosing between two different courses, reading a book, etc.

After that, we need things to make "sense". This is the element of understanding, practicing, doing, creating, experimenting, and questioning. It's an essential part of learning because we can only truly learn when we walk at the edge of our ability. 

The final element is to "share", the element of teaching, connecting, helping, and giving. Teaching others the things you have learned is a great step to solidify your knowledge. 

By Harold Jarche, find it here.

Belief

As I have mentioned at the beginning of the text, learning is not a simple process. It requires us to perform multiple steps consistently at the edge of our ability, and it might be scary and overwhelming sometimes. That's where we talk about belief. 

As cliché as it might sound, if we believe ourselves incapable of learning something new, we will take actions that will reinforce that belief, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. How many times you haven't told yourself something like "I'm too stupid to learn this, so I won't even try"? The fact that you haven't tried to learn will, of course, result in not learning what you wanted to, reinforcing your belief you're "too stupid" and cannot learn it. 

Next time you're facing a difficult problem in your learning journey, instead of falling down to the common belief that it's too difficult, or you're not smart enough, or you're too tired, or that it's not important, ask yourself this:

How would I react to this problem if I was an expert on this subject?

Give yourself the chance to believe. Happy learning!