Learning How to Learn
Whether you are an outstanding or a struggling student, "Learning How to Learn" will give you powerful mental tools that will help you learn more effectively in toughtomaster subjects. You will discover practical, immediately useful insights that will help you to more deeply master your studies.
Overview
This course gives you easy access to the invaluable learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. We’ll learn about the how the brain uses two very different learning modes and how it encapsulates (“chunks”) information. We’ll also cover illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects. Using these approaches, no matter what your skill levels in topics you would like to master, you can change your thinking and change your life. If you’re already an expert, this peep under the mental hood will give you ideas for turbocharging successful learning, including counterintuitive testtaking tips and insights that will help you make the best use of your time on homework and problem sets. If you’re struggling, you’ll see a structured treasure trove of practical techniques that walk you through what you need to do to get on track. If you’ve ever wanted to become better at anything, this course will help serve as your guide.
University of California, San Diego Terrence Sejnowski 4 weeks of study 34 hours of per week 01Aug to 31Aug2014 Requirements 70% for pass 85% for distinction Certificates only for paying Grade 99.4% Pass
Dana B. Taylor
https://www.coursera.org/course/learning
1/3
Learning How to Learn
Syllabus Here is an overview of the weekly topics for the course; ● Week 1 – Introduction: Focused versus Diffuse Thinking (begins Aug 1) ● Week 2 – Chunking (begins Aug 8) ● Week 3 – Procrastination and Memory (begins Aug 15) ● Week 4 – Renaissance Learning and Unlocking Your Potential (begins Aug 22) By the end of the course, we expect you to be able to do the following: ● Explain the difference between focused and diffuse modes of thinking. Be able to practically apply this knowledge to solve problems and understand concepts with less frustration. ● Relate key techniques proven by research to help students learn most efficiently ● Describe common illusions of learning, and explain how to most effectively help yourself to avoid these illusions. ● Explain how working memory and long term memory differ from one another. ● Explain what a chunk is, and how and why you can and should enhance your chunking skills. ● Use metaphor, story, and visualization to allow preexisting neural scaffolds to help in improving memory as well as to assist in learning more quickly and deeply ● Apply proven and effective techniques dealing with procrastination. ● Describe the most important aspects of proper test preparation. ● Relate latest research findings explaining why sleep is so important in learning and memory. ● Explain why multitasking (trying to do more than one task at the same time) makes it more difficult to grasp concepts. ● Explain the importance of “mindset” in learning. Describe how some famous people in history defied all odds to go from failure to success through a change in their mindset. ● Explain the advantages and disadvantages of working with other students in your studies.When would you want to work with other students? When would it be better to work alone? ● As a consequence of your interactions with other students in this course, explain some of the commonalities and differences of learners from around the world.
Dana B. Taylor
https://www.coursera.org/course/learning
2/3
Learning How to Learn
Grading & Logistics The class will consist of several videos per week, which are generally between 5 minutes in length for lecture videos, and 15 to 20 minutes in length for interviews. These contain 12 integrated quiz questions per video. There will also be two peerevaluated challenges, three quizzes and a final exam.
Results ● ● ● ●
Certificates only given for paying students.
Quiz 1: 13/13 Quiz 2: 11/11 Quiz 3: 12/12 Quiz 4: 26.5/27
Grade: 99.4% Pass
Dana B. Taylor
https://www.coursera.org/course/learning
3/3