replays to four Discussion responses

Introduction to Modules Eight and Nine

Module Eight is an introduction to how our brains process and recall information, along with some of the study strategies that might help improve memory. We will also be exploring some of the myths about our brains and how we learn.

Module Nine is based on previous ideas we have discussed in class about Time Management, Procrastination, Academic Boredom, and Concentration. These topics are repeated, since they tend to be the ones that most students indicate a desire to work on improving. You will select ones of these areas that is the most relevant for you.

Memory

THE SCIENCE OF MEMORY

Let’s begin by exploring two videos that detail some of the science of the brain and memory.

Start with this video that describes the Information Processing Model. It’s captioned correctly, and I recommend that everyone turn on the captioning so that you can see the spelling of the scientific terminology. Five quiz questions will come from this video.

Have you ever heard that we only use 10 percent of our brains? Here is your second video, which addresses this idea. This one has technical terms, too, so it’s best to turn on the captioning and/or use the transcript. Five quiz questions will come from this video.

STUDY STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE MEMORY

Next, you are going to work on connecting the science of how we remember things to some of the study strategies that can be used to improve memory. You already have a strong background in this from the CPEL videos with Dr. Chew.

There are three websites you will be using this week. Begin by carefully reading the information, considering the information, and reflecting on what information is valuable to you. Some of the information on the websites is based on the science of memory and other parts of the websites are not grounded in the science of how we learn. Try to distinguish between that which is based on solid scientific theory and that which is not.

These documents/websites will be the basis of your assignment:

Site One: Memory Techniques (downloads as a .pdf)

Site Two: Strategies to Improve Memory and Retention

Site Three: Ten Easy Memory Tricks

Assignment : Discussion Questions

DQ One: Brain Myths

There are many misconceptions about or brains. Look at this website that debunks 10 brain myths. Select two myths that were surprising or interesting to you, and then describe how these myths originated and reasons they still persist. Are there any negative or positive consequences in believing these myths to be true? If so, what?

first post :

One of the brain myths I found interesting was the 10% brain myth. It started from William James and is still being used today by psychics and other people. I think believing this is mostly benign but could become dangerous if one starts to take “medicine” that they believe will help them unlock the rest of the brain’s potential, or other similar, potentially harmful, tricks that people who want to make money talk about. The other one I found interesting was the one that said alcohol can kill brain cells. While too much alcohol can cause temporary harm, or even neurological disorders, it doesn’t kill brain cells. However, I don’t think there’s too many harm in believing this myth. The only effect it could really have is getting people to drink less, which isn’t harmful and could be quite helpful.

second post :

The first myth that I found interesting was that we only use 10 percent of our brain. Like myself, i am sure that many of us have heard this statement before. Some people say that a lot of the abilities that we are capable of are trapped in the other 90% of the brain we “don’t use”. It came to be by a psychologist saying that “the average person rarely achieves but a small portion of his or her potential”. People may tend to not try their best because they feel that there is only so much we can do.

The second myth that i found is that “Brain damage is always permanent”. The article said that as long as it is not too major then you should be fine. It can be negative by the fact that if you did suffer minor damages to your brain, regaining that mental stability may make things harder, leading to evern more problems.

DQ Two: Time Management, Procrastination, Academic Boredom, and Concentration

Please visit this site and take the short assessment on effective habits for effective study (It requires a Flash player). When you are done, select one of the questions that you did not score yourself highly on, but in which you wish to begin improving. What question did you select? What is the connection between this area and one of the areas of Time Management, Procrastination, Academic Boredom, and Concentration? What are some specific ways you will make improvements in this area?

third post

The main question that I responded poorly to that I wish to begin on improving on is “I set a positive mood for my studies, and schedule a productive time to study, find a less distracting space, etc…” I chose this one because of how critical my concentration has been to my college success. Even at this point in the course I still find myself running into old habits, not setting time to study, allowing myself to be distracted by family events and tv when I should be doing homework, and completing my homework in an environment that makes it hard to finish uninterrupted. One way the I am determined to improve on this moving forward is by finding a quiet place to do my homework. We have recently moved things around in our house and I plan to use our spare room as an office/study space going forward

fourth post :

I scored myself low on many of these questions however I am going to focus on the one I think needs the most attention. Setting a positive mood for my studies, scheduling a productive time to study, and finding a less distracting area to work. This has most to do with my time management and procrastination issues because I mostly get my work done between classes or really late at night when everyone else is asleep and I run out of distractions which is poor time management on my part. Although I have found I can force myself to really buckle down and be productive without distractions, but that only happens once I begin to panic the night before the assignment is due. I need to spend some time figuring out if I actually work better late at night or if I just think I do because my distractions are limited. I also need to face the fact that as much as I say the TV is just background noise I am lying to myself because I know it’s actually a huge distraction.