Learning how to learn

• The brain is the most complex object known, with over 100 billion neurons
• Chunking involves grasping the main idea of a complex concept and understanding how it fits together with other chunks to see the big picture
• The first step to chunking is gaining context by understanding how and when to use information
• Top-down learning focuses on the big picture (when to use information), while bottom-up learning emphasizes chunking (how to use information)
• Context in chunking involves going beyond the initial problem, practicing with related and unrelated problems to understand when and how to use the chunk, and when not to use it
• Doing tasks yourself helps create neural patterns that underlie true mastery
• Skipping through material to understand its organization can be beneficial. Start with main ideas and concepts, then go over the chapter's outline, flow charts, tables, and concept maps before delving into details
• Recalling information after reading and reviewing it enhances consolidation better than other methods
• Retrieving knowledge enhances deep learning and helps in forming chunks. Use retrieval methods instead of passive rereading
• Chunks are best built with focused attention, understanding basic ideas, and practice to gain mastery and a sense of the big picture context
• Illusions of competence occur when glancing at a solution without doing the exercise yourself. Highlighting and underlining should be done carefully to avoid ineffectiveness or misleading information
• Testing yourself is an effective way to ensure learning. Mistakes in self-tests are valuable before high-stakes real tests
• Recalling material outside your study place can strengthen your grasp of the material
• Best retrieval practice method: flashcards
• Synaptic plasticity refers to changes in the strength or number of connections between neurons
• Neurons are connected by synapses that allow them to communicate with one another
• The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres and allows communication between them.
• The brain has two hemispheres - left and right - which have different functions