Ben Carter
A neuroscientist trying to figure out how the brain does it all. I use MRI and data science methods to study neurophysiology and structure. Currently leading a team of undergraduates in a novel study.
How to learn
A word on "learning styles"
Raise your hand:
- Visual
- Auditory
- Reading
- Kinesthetic
It's mostly marketing nonsense. You may have a preference for one because you enjoy it but your biology could care less.
Metacognition
An awareness or understanding of one's own thought processes or how the mind works.
What is memory?
Working Memory
- Some times called short-term memory
- Relies on sensory memory and episodic buffer
- Stores small amounts of information for short periods of time until it is either encoded or forgotten.
Long-term memory
- Stores of information for an extended period, can be recalled at a later time for use (encoding).
- Has a "shelf-life."
- Multifaceted
- Implicit vs. explicit
- Declarative vs. procedural
- Episodic vs. semantic
Stages of Memory
- Encoding
- Storage & Consolidation
- Retrieval
- Forgetting
Encoding
- This is the initial learning of information.
- Factors that influence it include:
- Distinctiveness
- Elaboration (how linked it is with pre-existing knowledge).
- Self-reference effect
Storage
- A physical reorganization occurs in the brain, resulting in a pattern of neural organization that stores the information.
- This is somewhat understood, but we don't need to get into it today.
Retrieval
- When needed the information is recalled for use.
- Encoding Specificity Principle
- Retrieval cues like smells, sights, sounds, locations or associations with other memories.
- Retrieval-practice effect
- Testing effect
- Distributed practice
Forgetting
- Yes, it happens
- "Neurons that fire together, wire together"
- Memory representations that are used often and in multiple contexts are the most accurate, stable and expert.
- Memory representations that aren't used decay and rewired for other uses.
You can't apply what you don't know.
Optimizing Learning in College
Optimizing Learning
How to learn
By Ben Carter
How to learn
A quick overview of how to go about learning while in college.
