Studies have found that the notes people take are incomplete. When listening, you should really be alert to being thinking like what are the main conclusions here? Most speakers will repeat them and they'll show you through their body language and their voice that this is a key conclusion here. Then go through all the other notes that you've taken, every chart that you graph that you hurriedly copied,. Figure out which of the main points does this support? Why is this here? And that will help two ways. One is it will help you realize if there's something you missed. Second, it will further deepen your understanding, your thinking about the meaning.
As adults, we need to learn new things all the time.
Yet many of us are relying on the same outdated methods we used as adolescents to do it. Thinks like relentless highlighting and endless rereading.
If so, it may be time to take advantage of the latest research on learning.
That’s where Daniel Willingham comes in. In this interview, we discuss his latest book, Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy. Dan explains when our brains may be working against us. He also shares specific strategies for overriding our brains, so we can convert information into knowledge and understanding.
In a world where learning is more important than ever – for our lives and careers – Dan’s book is just the resource we need.
Episode Links
You’ve Been Studying All Wrong. This Professor Can Help You Outsmart Your Brain
Proof Points: One Expert on What Students Do Wrong
One Thing Teachers Can Do to Help Students Change Their Habits
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
The Team
Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here.
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