How to turn information into intelligence | Barbara Oakley

Having trouble learning? A PhD engineering professor gives you one key tip.

Cramming for a test and having a hard time understanding something? Might be best to go away and come back after a while.

Your brain is constantly fluctuating between a “learning” mode and an “understanding” mode. When you’re sitting there reading (and re-reading!) a textbook, unable to make sense of it, your brain is actually learning. It just takes the decompressing part of your brain for it to all be unpacked.

It’s called the neural chunk theory and you can learn to utilize it to your advantage by learning how to study differently; small bursts of inactivity and breaks can really make a big difference in how to memorize seemingly difficult information by combining bigger and bigger “chunks” of information until you understand the big picture. It’s fascinating stuff.

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❍ About The Well ❍

Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to life’s biggest questions, and that’s why they’re the questions occupying the world’s brightest minds.

So what do they think?

How is the power of science advancing understanding? How are philosophers and theologians tackling these fascinating questions?

Let’s dive into The Well.

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[The-Well]

What's an example of mental chunking that you've used?

[JosephVK]

Remember to take an information break after watching this video, so your brain can enter the “diffuse learning mode” to retain this important piece of knowledge :)

[mohammadowaizshaik]

# The Two Modes of Learning

Section Overview: This section discusses the two different neural networks we access when perceiving things and how they affect learning.

## Focus Mode vs. Diffuse Mode

- When we first sit down to learn something, we activate task-positive networks in our brain.
- However, this isn't always the right circuit to understand and comprehend the material.
- When we get frustrated, we activate a completely different set of neural circuits called the default mode network.
- This background-processing occurs when we stop thinking about it and relax, such as going for a walk or taking a shower.
- Learning involves going back and forth between these two modes: focus mode and diffuse mode.

# Neural Chunks

Section Overview: This section explains what neural chunks are and why they are important in learning.

## Creating Well-Practiced Patterns

- When learning something new, you want to create a well-practiced neural pattern that you can easily draw to mind when you need it.
- These patterns are called "neural chunks."
- Chunking theory is incredibly important in learning because it helps us develop well-practiced patterns that make tasks seem easy.
- The bigger the library of these patterns, the more expertise you have in that topic.

# Chunking Theory

Section Overview: This section delves deeper into chunking theory and how it relates to expertise.

## Solid Neural Patterns

- Nobel Prize-winner Simon found that if you're a chess master, the higher your ranking in chess, the more patterns of chess you had memorized.
- Research shows that the better your expertise at anything, the more solid neural patterns (or neural chunks) you have.
- It's important to create well-practiced patterns related to multiplication, division, calculus concepts like limits, integrals, and derivatives.
- Practicing with each one of these enough makes it almost like backing up a car.
# Developing Chunks

Section Overview: This section discusses how to develop chunks when learning something difficult.

## Practice with Key Problems

- When learning something difficult, find key problems and try working them cold.
- If you can't solve the problem, take a peek at whatever hints you need to be able to finish working it.
- Try working the problem again cold without looking at the answer.
- Repeat this process over several days until you can step through all the solution steps in your mind.

## Develop Automatic Patterns

- By practicing key problems repeatedly, patterns become automatic.
- After several days of practice, you will have created valuable chunks that allow you to solve new problems more easily.

## All Learning Involves Neural Chunks

- Realize that all learning involves getting these neural chunks together.

[RajivKC]

People at the school are gonna be surprised when they hear that continuously studying for 6 hours a day is not gonna work

[Andreatuzze]

She opened my eyes with the course " learn how to learn" thanks Barbara ♥️

[Ellen-dzki]

I love that she speaks in simple terms, with much composure and grace. What a refreshment from hyped up self-help videos teeming with over promises and exaggerations, claiming to have found the elixir of knowledge.

[leanna]

I figured out at an early age that when I would get frustrated with a word search puzzle, I would get up and walk away for a drink of water and restroom break. When I came back, words jumped out at me.

When I want to learn new information, I pair the learning with an art project. I learned the basics of SQL in 2 days, and I built my first terrarium with a waterfall. I've decided to commit and will continue with the data analyst education using this same application.

[labsanta]

2 types:
- We have two different neural networks when perceiving things: task-positive networks and default mode network.
Process
- When we first focus on learning something, we activate task-positive networks, but they might not be the right circuits for comprehension.
Pain
- Frustration arises when we can't understand the material using the task-positive networks.
Change ON/OFF
- When we give up and shift our attention away, the default mode network and related circuits activate, leading to comprehension.
ON/OFF
- Learning involves switching between focus mode and diffuse mode (task-positive networks and default mode network).
- Both modes are necessary for learning, as we need to focus to load information into our brains and then switch to diffuse mode for background processing.
CHUNKS
- Creating neural chunks, or well-practiced patterns, is important for learning.
- Neural chunks help us easily recall information when needed.
- The more well-practiced neural patterns we have, the more expertise we have in a particular topic.
- Chunking theory was explored by Nobel Prize-winner Simon and is significant for deep learning and expertise development.
- The higher your ranking in chess, the more patterns of chess you have memorized, known as neural chunks.
- Expertise in any field is associated with solid neural patterns or chunks.
- Practicing and mastering specific patterns in a subject, such as multiplication or calculus, enables quick recall and application.
- The misconception that too much practice kills creativity is untrue; the right kind of practice is essential.
- Interleaving techniques and solving different types of problems is more effective than repetitive practice.
- When learning something difficult, find key problems and attempt to solve them without assistance.
- Revisit the problem later and try to solve it again without looking at the answer.
- Gradually practice and reinforce the problem-solving process to develop automatic patterns.
- Developing valuable chunks allows for efficient recall and problem-solving during tests.
- Connecting neural chunks helps solve new problems and enhances learning and problem-solving abilities.

[gideyh]

When I feel weak and question myself, I remember her and then stand up and keep going. I finished her course, in about a week, in 2016, learning how to learn. I am happy there are people like her on this planet. I bet she has changed the hearts and minds of millions to learn and thrive, demystifying whatever they might have believed about themselves and about learning!

[kuntakintedd]

Looked for 30 sec. ended up clicking the video at 8 min and now I watched the whole thing.
Very educational and good information

[EcomCarl]

she sheds light on the importance of flexibility and openness in our thinking to combat the "Einstellung" phenomenon. Remember, staying curious and embracing novel experiences can keep our minds agile and receptive to new ideas. 🧠✨

[samtallen]

Her book, A Mind for Numbers, changed my life

[waleeart]

She has just summarized the main ideas of the "Learn how to Learn" Course 😌✨

[Cdaprod]

I concur, over the last 9 months of my life, I dedicated myself to learning and knowledge (programming/data/security) and it’s changed my outlook for the better. I will know what it’s like to not have to “live within my means”, and I will change my families life.

[blackviking]

Barbara is brilliant. Her series on metalearning blew my mind.

[iainmackenzieUK]

Very much in line with my experience as a Physics teacher of 30 years.
I will use this video next semester for my new students. Many thanks

[henk-]

I've started her course on coursera but didn't finish it. Because I have trouble sustaining my interest in things over a long time. But I really liked it. It was very well written.

[Someone-qykv]

It’s like I tell new people at work (retail) if you have a empty shelf and you don’t know what to put their, leave it alone and move onto something else that you do know what to do with. I guarantee you in 30 mins or so the answer will come to you. I have found with my short time in this planet, when it comes to understanding or learning. The answer usually seems counterintuitive.

[jaidhanki]

Two examples of Focused and Diffused, assimilation of information, it's purpose and learning. :
1. Use of the Central Vision for a select Foucus and a peripheral Vision encompassing broader canvas in a diffused mode, akin to zooming to wide angle (defused) from telephoto (focused) A constant interplay.
2. In calculus the differentiation at point is a focused, and integration process is diffused.
3. Practice & repeat exercises should not become a rote/mechanical learning without really understanding. Once understood is never forgotten !

[itsjmmariano]

Dr Barbara Oakley’s Learning How to Learn course in Coursera helped me a lot in my personal life and at work. I was able to use it to battle through some of the darkest moments in my life. The brain is a powerful, amazing organ. Learning how it works helps us with all aspects of our life and get us stay grounded.