How+the+Brain+Learns

 ** [|What does research say about how the brain learns?] ** 1. Short-term memory can hold 5-7 pieces of information at a time. 2. If you overload the short-term memory, it dumps other information to make room for what is new. (This is why you will understand something in class, then when you get home it doesn’t make sense anymore – the information was held in your short-term memory and had been replaced by what happened after you left class.) 3. You have more than 100 billion brain cells (neurons). 4. Neural connections create your memory. 5. We can trick the brain into remembering more than it is capable of remembering. 6. Being interested in a topic will help you to understand; understanding will help you remember. 7. Stay positive! Your attitude will help you remember – generally, if you want to remember something, you will. 8. Pay attention – you will remember better if you are fully focused on what it is you are learning. 9. Having some knowledge helps. This is called basic background and it gives something for the new information to stick to in your memory. Basic background can be gained through reading, watching videos, life experiences – anything that makes you more familiar with the content being studied will build your basic background. 10. Be selective – don’t try to remember everything - only the most important, relevant information. 11. Organize your information – use grouping, mnemonics, numbering, etc. to organize what you are learning. 12. Be creative and use your senses. The more you get your senses involved, the better your retention will be of the information being studied. 13. Talk to yourself – or someone else. This will give you feedback on what you know (or don’t know) and help you determine the accuracy of your learning. 14. Use mental pictures – Can you draw a picture of what is being covered or find a picture that you can connect to the information? Close your eyes and visualize that picture – do you remember the information? 15. Associate – think of what you already know about a topic – is what you are studying similar to what you already know? Link these together to help the brain’s neural connections. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-indent: -0.25in;">16. Learning takes time! Review your notes before class – then review them after class. Learning new information is a process that does not happen overnight. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-indent: -0.25in;">17. Study for 45-50 minutes, and then take a 10-15 minute break. The next day, repeat. The brain learns better from shorter sessions spread over several days. Try to review on a daily basis. <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align: center;"> // Adapted from Practicing College Learning Strategies, 4th Edition by Carolyn Hopper. //

<span style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align: center;"> **__What's My Style?__**

Knowing your learning style can make your study time more effective and efficient. Take the brief VARK Questionnaire to find your learning style.

<span style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 1. Logon to <span style="color: #bf4830; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">[|__http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire__] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Choose the answer which best suits you and select the box next to it. You may select more than one answer if you feel that it applies to you. For a question that does not apply to you, the answer may be left blank.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Click “OK” <span style="color: #000000; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-indent: -0.25in;">** 4. ** Your learning style preference will be presented in a style that you can easily understand. For example, a visual learner will be given his/her results using charts, pictures, graphs. **Click on the help sheets links provided for more information about your learning style preference.** <span style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align: center;"> For more information on how to use your learning style, call the Learning Lab today at 786-2396. <span style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align: center;"> S

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