Know Your Mind
Have you met your brain?
- 80% of what we know about the brain was learned in the last 15 years
- On average, we use only 1-4% of our brain’s capacity at any time
- Like any muscle, the more we use our brain, the better it gets
Venus and Mars
Men and women have different approaches to learning because of differences between the male and female brain (see below).
Male approach to learning:
- More focussed
- Better at 3-D puzzles
- Need rewards to stay on-task
- Take greater risks
- More competitive, aggressive
Female approach to learning:
- Better working alone/in small groups
- Better at multi-tasking
- Take instruction better
- Better emotional control
Meet the relatives
There are three layers in the human brain:
- Inner layer: reptilian – bodily functions, instincts, involuntary reactions
- Middle layer: limbic – emotions, values, memory
- Outer layer: neocortex – thinking, reasoning, speaking, voluntary behaviour
For a happy reptilian brain:
- Create a learning space
- Be comfortable: not hungry, not hot/cold
- Follow a routine
- Keep stress low, self esteem high
For a happy limbic brain:
- Remind yourself why you’re revising
- Look for work that interests you
- Reward yourself for a good day’s work
- Use feedback, improve your routine
Motivation and positivity boost the limbic system, which is rich in neurotransmitters (chemicals essential to thought) and endorphins (pain killing ‘feel good’ chemicals).
Are you left-brained or right-brained?
Just a thought...
80% of the brain is neocortex and it has two halves, or ‘hemispheres’: the left is the logical one, the right is the creative one. In most people, one dominates the other and that’s why some are good at maths and sports, others languages and art.
- For a happy whole brain:
- Make learning connections, know where what you’ve learned fits in
- Stay stimulated: use video, ICT, role play, visualisation, music – you’ll lay down stronger memories
- Concentrate in bursts, break every hour, drink some water, get some fresh air
- Discuss a task with your Study Buddy, helping clarify it in your mind – and they may know something you’ve overlooked
Left Brainers
LEFT-BRAIN QUALITIES
- Logical
- Mathematical
- Rational
- Analytical
IF YOU’RE LEFT BRAINED YOU NEED:
- Structure
- To work task-by-task
- Clear instructions
- Written information
Left-brainers like:
- To analyse detail before starting tasks, see how each task fits into the bigger picture
- Very thorough, indexed notes, to visualise, talk tasks through, use all senses
Right Brainers
IF YOU’RE RIGHT-BRAINED YOU NEED:
- Open-ended tasks
- The big picture
- Self-selecting tasks
- To work from intuition
RIGHT-BRAIN QUALITIES:
- Creative
- Artistic
- Intuitive
- Takes risks
Right-brainers like:
- A thorough study plan that covers everything, includes your deadlines but offers a choice of tasks
- Stimulation, use videos, graphs, mind maps, ICT, stay interested
When you get a new gadget do you; A. Find out how to turn it on, then experiment, or B. Read the instruction book from cover to cover?
(A=Right-Brained, B=Left-Brained).
What’s your learning style?
What’s your V-A-K style?
There are three main learning systems:
- V: Visual or Verbal learning is driven by images. The visual learner says ‘I see what you mean’ or ‘Looks like a good idea.’
- A: Auditory learning is driven by sounds. The auditory learner says ‘That rings a bell’ or ‘Sounds like a good idea.’
- K: Kinaesthetic learning is driven by movement and feelings. The kinaesthetic learner says ‘I’ve got the hang of this’ or ‘Feels right to me.’
No doubt you use all three methods but most rely on one more than the others. What’s the easiest way for you to learn?
Visual/Verbal learners prefer:
- Written word
- Diagrams, pictures
- Films, TV, DVD
- Wall charts
Auditory learners prefer:
- Spoken word
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Audio tapes, CDs
Kinaesthetic learners prefer:
- Movement, role play
- Hands-on activities
- Design, drawing
- Writing
Your intelligence profile
Intelligence used to be measured with a single IQ test. Now scientists recognise multiple intelligences. You have at least seven different types of intelligence, all capable of development.
Intelligence type Characteristics
| Intelligence Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Linguistic |
good with words – speaking, writing, debating |
| Logical |
good with numbers – puzzles, science, equations |
| Spatial |
good with images – draws, models, visualises |
| Musical |
good with music – listens, sings, has rhythm |
| Kinaesthetic |
good with movement – gestures, good at sport |
| Interpersonal |
good with people – team player, reads people |
| Intrapersonal | good with self – knows strengths and feelings |
You’ve got a learning style
Your personal learning style is defined by these three factors:
- Left-brained or right-brained
- V-A-K style
- Intelligence profile
Remember the brain is like a system of muscles. If some are weaker, exercise makes them stronger.
Tailor your revision to play to your learning strengths.
Make sure you have a variety though, to work on your weaknesses.