Everyday learning often starts with a surprise. Something unexpected happens and you use that to change your understanding. You learn the most when you use metacognitive strategies to adapt your mindset. Metacognition is what you know about how you think and learn. It includes knowing what you … [Read more...] about Five Metacognitive Strategies to Change Your Mind
Your Theory of Knowledge Influences How You Learn
Your theory of knowledge refers to your beliefs about what knowledge is and how you get it. You may think you don’t have a theory of knowledge. But, even if you don’t regularly philosophize about the nature of knowledge you still have more or less implicit ideas about it. Think about the … [Read more...] about Your Theory of Knowledge Influences How You Learn
Retrieval Practice: A Memory Exercise with Surprising Benefits
Memory exercises promise to help you get smarter by strengthening your memory. Students, teachers, and scientists are always on the lookout for memory exercises that really work. Many memory exercises focus on building up short-term memory, or working memory. These short-term memory exercises … [Read more...] about Retrieval Practice: A Memory Exercise with Surprising Benefits
Does High Intelligence Mean Low Cognitive Bias?
In thinking through any complex issue, there are going to be different possible solutions and perspectives. Ideally, a smart and critical thinker would reason through the pros and cons of the different possibilities and come to a balanced view of the issue. Yet a great deal of research finds … [Read more...] about Does High Intelligence Mean Low Cognitive Bias?
Trouble Understanding Others? Read More Fiction
Looking for an excuse to read more fiction? Fiction reading can help with understanding others. A recent study shows that children who read more fiction stories are better at inferring what other people are thinking and feeling. Being good at understanding others is important, not just for … [Read more...] about Trouble Understanding Others? Read More Fiction
Strategies for Taking Notes on Computer
One of the core ways we learn is by listening to lectures. We learn more when we take notes, especially when making use of good note taking strategies. Taking notes affords you with an external record of what was said. An incomplete record, by all means, but something you can look back at … [Read more...] about Strategies for Taking Notes on Computer