Thread by @deSolidState

1/
I'm taking the #Coursera #Learning How to Learn course
bit.ly/1LqIUp4
This assignment is to teach others. I decided to make a giant thread for my coding community since you all give me so much.

#newDevCity
#100DaysOfCode
#CodeNewbie
#Study
#freeCodeCamp
@w3develops

@w3develops 2/
The course is teaching how learning happens. The course lessons are backed up by #neurological science. #Learning is not something only for the young, there are techniques that are easily obtainable to help you learn difficult subjects in any discipline.

#newDevCity
#Coursera

@w3develops 3/
"We ordinarily think of learning as something we do when we sit down to study a book. But actually, being able to learn more easily and deeply involves many important facets--including not only periods of focused concentration, but also periods of relaxation...

#newDevCity

@w3develops 4/

...and even times when the body is simply out getting exercise. Your brain can be busy figuring things out during times when you have absolutely no conscious awareness of it." - Dr. Barbara Oakley

#newDevCity
#CodeNewbie
#100DaysOfCode
#freeCodeCamp

@w3develops 5/
Methods to use when learning something new
- analogy
- metaphor
- focused mode & diffuse modes of learning are both important
- mnemonics
- visual imagery
- create flash cards
- handwriting really helps lock ideas into your brain...

#newDevCity
#w3Develops

@w3develops 6/
...
- avoid procrastination
- schedule in breaks, rewards, exercise, and stop times
- start by trying to get a understanding of what you are trying to accomplish
- begin study by trying to understand the basic idea
- keep a planner journal to record good methods

#newDevCity

@w3develops 7/
Focused mode learning
- direct approach to problem-solving
- rational, sequential, analytical
- uses the prefrontal cortex of the brain

Diffuse mode learning
- indirect approach to problem-solving
- take a shower, take a break, daydream
- exercise, sleep...

#newDevCity

@w3develops 8/
...
- research shows that exercise is just as important as an enriched environment for allowing the brain to grow new neurons

#newDevCity
#learning
#coding
#100DaysOfCode

@w3develops 9/
Why does procrastination happen?
- procrastination is very common
- even good learners procrastinate
- learning is hard, thus, emotionally painful
- our brains try to switch our mental attention away from pain
- this is similar to the addiction cycle

#newDevCity
#webDev

@w3develops 10/
Why is procrastination bad?
- creates stress because there isn't enough time to complete what is needed
- stress slows the learning process
- cramming information in few, as opposed to many, study sessions means less information goes into long-term memory

#newDevCity

@w3develops 11/
How does your memory work?
- short-term memory is like a small white board that only holds a few things at one time
- repetition "cements" those topics we learn into the long-term memory like a brick warehouse...

#100DaysOfCode
#newDevCity
#w3Develops

@w3develops 12/
...
- cramming, or little repetition, makes the brick warehouse fragile
- this cementing of short-term memory topics into long-term memory storage happens by forming and strengthening the synaptic connection through repetition and reinforcement...

#newDevCity
#CodeNewbie

@w3develops 13/
...
- using multiple formats, techniques and media to study the same topic helps to strenghten the synaptic pathways
- brain connectivity is dynamic, ever-changing

Practice, Practice, Practice
- practice is important to develop expertise...

#newDevCity
#100DaysOfCode

@w3develops 14/
...
- practice should happen in differing settings at differing times
- the more abstract the concept, the more important practice is to make it real

#newDevCity
#CodeNewbie
#freeCodeCamp
#Javascript30
#w3Develops

@w3develops 15/
Other effective study techniques
- trying to recall what you just learned immediately after studying
- testing yourself again at a later date then testing again even later
- repetition
- extra attention should be given to the most difficult material

#newDevCity

@w3develops 16/
The point is to build knowledge Chunks
- short term memory while in focused mode can only holds about 4 concepts at a time
- building a chunk from multiple concepts frees up concept slots
- repetition, practice, etc. build chunks

#newDevCity
#CodeNewbie
#freeCodeCamp

@w3develops 17/
...
- chunks are scattered information united by contextual meaning
- contextual meaning builds understanding by "gluing" bits of information together
- mastery in other areas helps one to learn more easily in different areas...

#newDevCity
#learning
#webDev
#coding

@w3develops 18/
...
- improvisation after creating chunks and mini-chunks creates mastery
- the more chunks you build, the more and bigger chunks you will be able to build

Methods to stop procrastinating:
- Pomodoro Technique
- understanding one's procrastination cues...

#newDevCity

@w3develops 19/
...
- learning to push past the desire to stop before you start
- learning to push past the desire to stop when working on hard-to-learn parts
- studying in a quiet place with no distractions
- coming up with a study routine - times of days, techniques...

#newDevCity

@w3develops 20/
What is the #Pomodoro Technique?
- repeated cycles of focused learning then a small break/reward after the focus
- most often as 25 min focus/5 min break, on the 4th cycle the break is 20-30 min
- remove all distractions during the focus
- breaks are diffuse, unfocused time

@w3develops 21/
Why does the Pomodoro Technique work?
- it helps a learner avoid procrastination
- it gives the brain the breaks it needs to let to make random connections in a relaxed fashion
- it refreshes the brain between focus sessions

#newDevCity
#100DaysOfCode

@w3develops 22/
Next level learning techniques
- interleaving is difficult, but produces a synergy that deepens knowledge
- reorder sections to study differently each time
- try to use all of your senses when studying and learning...

#newDevCity
#w3Develops

@w3develops 23/
...
- getting plenty of sleep
- not getting enough sleep is bad for the body and mind
- the mind needs sleep to clear out toxins and reinforce important topics
- studying important material just before bed allows brain to dream about topics in diffuse mode

#newDevCity

@w3develops 24/
...
- removing stress accelerates learning
- study in a well-lit, calm environment with few distractions
- study in multiple places and different times to day to make your knowledge adaptable
- making lists of tomorrow's work just before you go to sleep...

#newDevCity

@w3develops 25/
Be wary of...
- Overlearning, already developed patterns that get in the way of learning new ideas or concepts
- Illusions of Competence, some things feel like studying but don't build knowledge, like:...

#newDevCity
#w3Develops
#100DaysOfCode

@w3develops 26/

- re-reading the text
- concept mapping before a chunk has formed
- over-highlighting
- getting hung up on the product of study, this can seem daunting, instead focus on the process, as in, study for half an hour and then take a break...

#newDevCity
#freeCodeCamp

@w3develops 27/
...
- focusing too intently on a problem when stuck for a long time, best to take a break or work on something else

The goal is to build great life-long study habits and break bad habits
- have a good study routine...

#newDevCity
#Javascript30

@w3develops 28/
...
- recognize and ignore cues that lead to procrastination and other bad habits
- have the belief that your good habits work gives you the power to make them work

#newDevCity
#freeCodeCamp
#100DaysOfCode

@w3develops 29/
- reward yourself with a treat or a break after every study session that you do properly, this will make you want to do it over and over again
- make sure you give yourself plenty of time to master subject material and take extra time on difficult concepts

#newDevCity

@w3develops 30/
John Dunlosky-Strengthening the Student Toolbox: Study Strategies to Boost Learning bit.ly/29fCmdE

Michael Friedman-Note-taking tools and tips
bit.ly/2WQ5akf

Richard C. Mohs-How Human Memory Works
bit.ly/IND8zI

#newDevCity

@w3develops 31/
Brigid Schulte-For more productive life, daydream
cnn.it/RPE8HD

Pam Harrison-Sleep on It: Sleep Consolidates Memory of New Motor Task
wb.md/2VGSOyt

Robyn Scott-The 30 Second Habit That Can Have a Big Impact On Life
bit.ly/1hoBQt5

#newDevCity

@w3develops 32/
Johns Hopkins Medicine-Memories of errors foster faster learning
bit.ly/1tgn0LK

Travis Bradberry-Multitasking Damages Your Brain And Career, New Studies Suggest
bit.ly/1rXmn6T

#newDevCity

@w3develops 33/
Lauren Davidson-The Kind of Music You Should Listen to at Work
bit.ly/ZOzr4H

Annie Murphy Paul-Living Abroad Makes You Smarter
bit.ly/1mU3Oh5

Shana K. Carpenter-Spacing and Interleaving of Study and Practice
bit.ly/2JJSwQh

#newDevCity

@w3develops 34/
Thanks a lot for being such a help to me everyone! Hope you gain some valuable tips or tricks to make your code learning accelerate!

#newDevCity
#freeCodeCamp
#100DaysOfCode
#Javascript30
#CodeNewbies
#WizardsInTech
#w3Develops

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