PSYCH 1X03 Science of Learning

multitasking

simultaneous completion of two or more tasks

why is multitasking ineffective?

our brains are not wired to do multiple things at once, especially complex things

what do our brains do when multitasking?

switch between tasks

what was noticed during the study of focused drivers, drunk drivers and drivers talking on handheld and hands free devices?

the drivers talking on the hands free and handheld devices performed just as poorly as the drunk drivers

what did Hermann Ebbinghaus study?

by distributing studying across time he learned more in less time

what is the spacing effect

distributing study across time leads to more in-depth understanding in the same or less time

what is repeated exposure when it comes to studying?

studying through highlighting, rereading, copying notes words, etc.

what are the downsides of repeated exposure?

brain gets a lot of input but not a lot of output, making us feel like we're learning when we aren't retaining information long-term

what is the retrieval practice effect?

combining output with input by doing things like practice tests

what is the 3x3 method?

successfully recalling the material 3 times in one study session, then recalling the same material in 3 subsequent sessions roughly one week apart each

interleaved practice

multiple concepts being combined together after learning several units of material

blocked practice

reviewing questions for one concept, then moving onto the next

desirable difficulty

using study methods with slow buildup in order to have further long term understanding