Today’s Read: A Mind For Numbers (Chapter 7 - 12)
Barbara Oakley author of “A Mind for Numbers” not only elaborates the functioning of our peculiar mind but also lays out the process to memorize effectively. She provides us with varied tools and tricks to enhance our memory and learn efficiently. She explains how information can transform from a temporary chunk to long-term memory by utilizing a proper procedure.
To summarize:
Chapter 7: “Chunking Versus Choking: How to Increase Your Expertise and Reduce Anxiety.” Oakley provides opportunities here for readers to practice the study habits and learning strategies introduced previously. She prioritizes the mental storage of concepts over rote memorization and provides seven steps for building powerful chunks of process-based learning. She also emphasizes that learners gain expertise through active learning and mentally expanding their collection of problem-solution patterns.
Chapter 8: “Tools, Tips, and Tricks.” Acknowledging that it is normal for learners to have some negative feelings about beginning their work, Oakley explains that by managing those feelings and completing a type of behavioral self-analysis, learners can develop personalized productivity tools as well as a positive anticipation toward their work. She provides strategies designed to organize behavior and free up working memory for better problem-solving. She also emphasizes the need to include healthy leisure time in the workday. Students and teachers may find especially useful the list of best apps and online support programs for keeping on task.
Chapter 9: “Procrastination Zombie Wrap-Up.” This is the culminating chapter about procrastination. Oakley notes that the neural framework needed for math and science performance languishes under stressful, binge-learning conditions. In contrast, the learning strategies of pausing and reflecting are more effective. Chapter 10: “Enhancing Your Memory.” Oakley describes strategies for improving one’s visuospatial memory, i.e., by creating analogies, such as visual images, jingles, or the “memory palace.”
Chapter 11: “More Memory Tips.” Oakley expands on the previous chapter, focusing on the effectiveness of learners’ creating visual metaphors, spaced repetition, meaningful groups, and narratives. She also notes that, with respect to some kinds of learning, the kinesthetic element of writing by hand offers some advantages over writing by computer. She ends the chapter with a few more “memory tricks.”
Chapter 12: “Learning to Appreciate Your Talent.” Oakley shifts her focus to the role of intuition in learning and urges readers not to underestimate its value. She emphasizes that what we know isn’t as important as how we think.