Download 2. Study and learn effectively

Sixth Form Study
Programme
2. How to study and learn
effectively
Agenda
What is effective learning?
 The biology of learning
 Albert Einstein’s brain
 Is it too late for you?

How to train your brain
 What do you do now?

What is “effective learning”?
Learning occurs through the brain in making
its own meaning, its own sense of things
What ‘type’ of learner are YOU?
Surface
learner
TODAY
Deep
learner
FUTURE
To be successful at A level you have to
become a Deep learner
We are all different..
...same brain structure
The neurons in our
brain are responsible
for processing
information
 the number of neurons
in the brain is about
the same as the
number of stars in the
Milky Way...1 cm3 has
>1million neurons

It is all about connections...

•
Each neuron has an
axon which transmits
information to other
neurons through
electrochemical
stimulations.
These electric charges travel down the
axon at a rate of between 1 and 100
metres per second
THIS is learning
New mental
or motor
experience
nervous
impulses to
brain
Neural
connections
formed
Repeated stimulation of a group of
neurons causes them to develop more
connections...
 This establishes an understanding, a
grasp, a deep learning

Albert Einstein’s brain
he had no more brain
cells than anyone else,
just more connections
between them, and even
then more capacity left!
Is it all to late?
Neural
genetically
inherited
Experiential
Reflective
As result
of
experience
Can be
developed &
is within our
control
40 – 70% result of environment and
‘training’. All you need to do is stimulate
the connections in your brain.
How do you train your brain?
Key Principles:
 Recognise relationships across a range
of sources and experiences
 Concept formation depends upon what
you do in your head (THINK about it!)
 Pattern recognition (connections)
depends upon your experience: some
‘get it’ quicker than others. (learn from
others and different sources)
(1) Recognise relationships

Try same concept from different angles
in different ways: don’t just rote learn

Draw it, mime it, speak it, chart it, say it,
sing it, demonstrate it, model it, list it,
dance it, write it – DON’T JUST READ IT
(2) Help you to THINK
Work things out for yourself
 Articulate ‘draft’ ideas – talk ideas through,
ask stupid questions
 Use ‘trial and error’ as a learning strategy
 Don’t rely on ready made meanings and
notes – key word defns, mind maps,
sketches, storyboards

“Intelligent behaviour is knowing what to do when
you don’t know what to do”
(3) Build experience
“Humans never really understand or learn
something until they can create a personal
model”



Learn from feedback – the brain is geared
for feedback.
Research from different sources –
textbooks, internet, CDs, TV programmes
Practice questions (on your own), write
definitions over and over, repeat tests
How to remember things
The strength of a memory and how
easily it is retrieved depends upon the
strength of the initial input
 When several senses are simultaneously
involved the message is received
through a number of channels in the
brain and stand better chance of
remaining prominent

People recall..
Read 10%
hear
See
See and hear
Say
Say and do
20%
30%
50%
70%
90%
So what do you do now?
Become a
DEEP
LEARNER
• Become an
Active Learner
• Get Organised
• Set a routine and
time for learning