MANAGING AND CARING FOR THE SELF LEARNING TO BE A BETTER STUDENT

What is learning?

gaining new knowledge, skills, behaviors, values, attitudes, and understanding. It happens in humans, animals, and even some machines, and there is some evidence in plants too.

What does “learning to be a better student/person” mean?

It is a lifelong process where you learn how to control thoughts, understand information better, and motivate yourself. Emotional maturity means controlling emotions and behavior.

What happens to the brain during learning?

The brain physically changes. Connections between neurons change, and new synapses form. Learning reorganizes the brain.

What do scientists say about learning and brain growth?

The brain grows more when learning new things and less when repeating already known skills.

What is neuroplasticity?

the brain’s ability to change and form new connections based on experience and learning.

When does neuroplasticity happen?

• Early life (brain develops and organizes)

• After brain injury (to recover functions)

• Throughout adulthood (learning new skills)

What happens to brain cells during learning?

Brain cells change shape, and learning is strengthened especially during sleep when the brain “rewires” connections.

What does the cerebrum do?

Controls thinking, learning, reading, speech, emotions, vision, hearing, reasoning, and movement.

What does the cerebellum do?

Controls balance, posture, and coordination of muscle movements.

What does the brain stem do?

Controls automatic body functions like breathing, heart rate, digestion, temperature, sleep, coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and connects brain to spinal cord.

What is learning in terms of behavior?

Learning causes relatively permanent changes in behavior and how we respond to the environment.

What are positive learning behaviors?

Habits that help students learn well, perform better academically, and build good relationships.

Who is James O. Prochaska?

A psychologist who created the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (1983), explaining how people change behavior.

What are the stages of behavior change?

1. Precontemplation

2. Contemplation

3. Preparation (your notes said “prepastages”)

4. Action

5. Maintenance

What is Precontemplation?

No intention to change. The person is unaware or in denial.

What is Contemplation?

person knows there is a problem but is not ready to act yet.

What is Preparation?

Planning stage. Gathering information and preparing strategies for change.

What is Action?

The person actively changes behavior and works hard to improve.

What is Maintenance?

The person works to keep the change and avoid going back to old habits.

What is metacognition?

“Thinking about thinking” — knowing what you know and don’t know and understanding how you learn.

What is metacognitive knowledge?

Knowing what you understand and what you don’t understand (your strengths and weaknesses).

What is metacognitive regulation?

Controlling your learning process (planning, monitoring, and changing strategies).

How do you use syllabus for studying?

Use it like a roadmap to understand topics in order and connect ideas.

What does “summon prior knowledge” mean?

Think about what you already know before learning new topics.

What is “think aloud”?

Speaking your thoughts to better understand and test your knowledge.

Why ask yourself questions when studying?

It helps you check understanding and identify gaps in knowledge.

How does writing help learning?

It organizes thoughts and shows what you know and don’t know.

Why review exams?

To see mistakes and improve understanding.

Why take a timeout when studying?

To check understanding and adjust learning strategies.

Why self-test?

To know what you truly understand

Why figure out how you learn best?

Everyone learns differently, so finding your best method improves learning.

What is self-regulated learning?

A cycle where students plan, monitor, and reflect on their learning to improve.

What is the first step in the cycle of self-regulated learning

Plan

What happens in planning?

Set goals, analyze tasks, plan strategies, and set expectations.

What is the second step in the cycle of self-regulated learning

USE STRATEGIES + MONITOR

What happenes during the stage of USE STRATEGIES + MONITOR

You follow your plan, track progress, and adjust when problems happen.

What is the last step in the cycle of self-regulated learning

Reflect

What happens in reflection?

You check your results, evaluate strategies, and learn how to improve next time.