1. Take control: training your brain
Velina Espinosa, School Counselor
Middle College High Santa Ana College
February 28,2018

2. Gestalt/Overview Brain Plasticity The Impact on Learning
Training Your Dragon
Procrastination
The Pomodoro Technique
2 Ways of Thinking

3. Basic Brain Functions
Neuroplasticity or brain plasticity – the ability of the brain to change (modify its connections or re-wire itself.) This allows the brain to develop from infancy to adulthood, recover from brain injury, learn new concepts, and develop new habits
Dr. Lara Boyd, Ted Talk on Brain research

4. The Impact on Learning Repetition is required to become an expert
Grooves in the brain – a road map
Makes retrieval easier
examples: a library
junk drawer vs. organized drawer
messy backpack vs. organized backpack
Can we think of some examples of experts?
What do you consider yourself good at?
How did you get to that level?

5. Training Your Dragon
Learning is like preparing for a marathon, not a sprint!
It takes preparation/repetition over time
Long term memory vs. short term memory
Do you really have test anxiety?

6. Procrastination Deferment, Postponement, Stalling, Delay, Putting Off
Avoiding an unpleasant, uncomfortable task
Pain sensors in the brain
The “Dread” of doing something is worse than the task
Turn to more pleasant activities
A habit of procrastination?

7. The Pomodoro Technique
Francesco Cirillo developed technique in the early 90’s
"Pomodoro" after the tomato-shaped timer used to time his work as a university student The methodology is simple: When faced with any large task or series of tasks, break the work down into short, timed intervals (called "Pomodoros") that are spaced out by short breaks. This trains your brain to focus for short periods. With time it can even help improve your attention span and concentration You also get to take regular breaks that bolster your motivation and keep you creative.

8. 2 Ways of Thinking/Networking : We Need Both to Learn
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.Engineering
ways-we-think-and-learn/
Focused Thinking - highly attentive states; essential for studying math and science. It involves a direct approach to solving problems using rational, sequential, analytical approaches. The focused mode is associated with the concentrating abilities of the brain’s prefrontal cortex, located right behind your forehead.
Diffuse Thinking - more relaxed default mode states - is also essential for learning math and science. It is what allows us to suddenly gain a new insight on a problem we’ve been struggling with, and is associated with “big picture” perspectives. Diffuse-mode thinking is what happens when you relax your attention and just let your mind wander.

9. Recap Retrain your brain to create better habits
Get over initial “dread” of a task
Break work into manageable chunks, not overwhelming
Most learning (especially math and science) require building on concepts, repetition over time, NOT cramming!
We need to use focused and diffuse thinking to learn
Tips: Recall – read page, look away, and verbalize it
Testing – most powerful technique - test yourself, e.g. flash cards
AVID strategies

10. Be Your Best Self Start new habits Be accountable with a buddy
Pay attention and enjoy new actions