Holistic Learning
Smart people don’t just learn better. They learn differently. While many students get caught up in memorizing facts, intelligent learners know to seek the bigger picture and connect the facts together. This form of learning I call holistic learning.
Holistic learning is basically the opposite of rote memorization. Instead of reciting lists of facts, rules or formulas, you seek to connect ideas together. Instead of having separate boxes in your head for geometry, algebra or ancient India, you deliberately link facts together, so they form a bigger picture.
Excessive studying shows you aren’t learning holistically. It shows that you didn’t learn the material the first time. If you properly link ideas together to see the bigger picture, studying should only be a brief refresher.
How to Boost Your Study Habits
Holistic learning isn’t like a brainstorming technique or mind-mapping. It is fundamentally changing how you look at the process of learning and how you absorb information. As such, there isn’t an easy ten step program to master it.
There are some tools that can help you shift your learning habits so they become more holistic:
Visceralize 感官和動作集中學習- You’ve probably heard of visualizing, right? Visceralizing means taking all of your senses and connecting it to information. Studies have shown that people remember more vividly information that comes to us in an emotionally aroused state. Linking feelings, senses and imagery to bland ideas makes them more real. You probably counted on your fingers when learning numbers, why can’t you do the same when you are learning now?
Metaphor隱喻 - The heart of holistic learning is relating things together. Metaphors are literary devices that link two things that normally don’t go together. Come up with metaphors to describe more complicated ideas in simpler terms.
Ten-Year-Old Rule十歲法則 - Explain ideas to yourself as you would to a ten year old. Sure, this isn’t always possible in your last years of a medical degree or learning how to apply neural networks to computer AI. But the idea is that you should be able to “dumb down” an idea enough so it seems obvious to yourself.
Trace Back 引用 - Put away your books and start with a random fact or concept. Then relate that idea to another concept in your subject. Keep doing this tracing pattern until you’ve linked many ideas together. The Gupta Dynasty reminds you of ancient Greece which reminds you of Socrates, reminding you of Confucius…
Refresher Scan 快速復習 - Scan through information in your text book. Notice whenever you encounter information that you either don’t remember or weren’t 100% sure about. Quickly link that information back to existing ideas through viscerlization and metaphor. If your refresher scan is turning up more than a few points per chapter, you haven’t learned it thoroughly enough.
Compress Information壓縮信息 - Not all information works well for holistic learning. A common point cited to me is learning anatomy for first year medical students. Anatomy involves learning arbitrary Latin names for hundreds of different elements of your body. There often aren’t clear patterns and constructs, just a dry list of facts. When encountering information such as this, your goal should be to compress it. Find ways to group information into smaller chunks of memory through pictures or mnemonics.
Write寫下有關聯想 - Take a piece of paper and write out the connections in the information. Reorganize the information into different patterns. The key here is the writing, not the final product. So don’t waste your time making a pretty picture. Scribble and use abbreviations to link the ideas together.
What is holistic learning?
Holistic learning is a new kind of learning. We use images, pictures, graphs, or words to connect the related ideas when we learn.
( Sample answer: Holistic learning is the kind learning where the learners know how to understand what he learn by using and forming pictures to connect the facts and information together. In other words, holistic learners learn and understand the materials the first time they study.)
List four of the learning habits and explain how they help learners to learn better.
(Sample Answer: One of the learning habit is called virceralisation. Learners can benefit when they use feelings, senses, and imaginary to bland ideas and information when they learn something. This helps them remember better and more vividly because information that comes to them in an emotionally aroused state.)
The four learning habits are verceralisation, metaphor, 10-year-old rule, writing.
For verceralisation, we use feeling, senses, imaginary to blend ideas and information when we learn.
For metaphor, we use metaphor to compare two different items when we learn.
For 10-year-old rule, we simplify the subject and make it easy for a 10-year-old student to learn.
For writing, we write to help us find the connection between ideas and information.
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2009年10月16日 星期五
2009年10月10日 星期六
Reading Comprehension Part 1- The Power of Concentration
The Power of Concentration
By Remez Sasson
Part I: Read and answer the questions that follow.
When I was a child, I saw how a magnifying glass could burn a piece of paper, when the rays of the sun were focused through it. The fire could start only when the sun's rays were concentrated to a small point. When the magnifying glass was moved too far away or too close to the paper, the rays were not focused enough and nothing happened. This experience describes vividly the power of concentration.
This power can be described as focused attention. It is the ability to direct the attention to one single thought or subject, to the exclusion of everything else.
When our mind is focused, our energies are not dissipated不閒遊 on irrelevant activities or thoughts. This is why developing concentration is essential to anyone who aspires to take charge of his or her life. This skill is essential for every kind of success. Without it, our efforts力量 get scattered分散, but with it, we can accomplish完成 great things.
Concentration has many uses and benefits. It assists in studying and understanding faster, improves the memory, and helps in focusing on any task, job, activity or goal, and achieving it more easily and efficiently. It is also required for developing psychic心靈 powers, and is a powerful tool for the efficient use of creative visualization.
When this ability is developed, the mind obeys us more readily and does not engage in futile, negative thoughts or worries. We gain mental mastery and we experience true peace of mind.
This ability also plays an important role in meditation. Without it, the mind just jumps restlessly from one thought to another, not allowing us to meditate properly.
Do you now realize, why it is very important and worthwhile to develop and improve the ability to concentrate?
To develop this power you need to train and exercise it. Forget all your excuses about not having the time or being too busy. Do not say that the circumstances are not appropriate or that you cannot find a quiet place to exercise. With a little planning, desire and motivation you can always find the time to exercise each day, no matter how busy you are.
The Restless Mind
Thoughts claim our attention incessantly, and waste our time and energy on unimportant and useless matters. They actually rule our life. We have become so used to this slavery, that we take it for granted, and have become unconscious of this habit, except on certain occasions.
It is the same with thinking. We become conscious of the constant onslaught of our thoughts, and of our inability to calm them down, only when we need to concentrate, solve a problem or study. We are also acutely aware of them when we have worries or fears.
Look at the following familiar situation. You need to study something for your job or for an exam. You sit comfortably on the sofa with the book in your hands and start reading. After a while you feel hungry and go to the kitchen to eat something.
You return to read, and then hear people talking outside. You listen to them for several moments and then bring your attention back to the book.
After a while you feel restless and switch on the radio to listen to some music. You continue to read for a little while, and then remember something that happened yesterday, and you start thinking about it.
When you look at your watch, you are amazed to find out that one complete hour has passed and you have hardly read anything.
This is what happens when one lacks concentration. Imagine what you could have accomplished, if you could control your attention and focus your mind!
Work that requires physical strength, such as carrying heavy loads for example, develops physical strength. Yet, it is not as exercising daily to the gym in a systematic manner. It is the same with concentration. Reading, studying and trying to pay attention to what we do, develop some of this ability, but practicing exercises diligently each day is something else, it is like training in a gym.
1. How is the power of concentration compared to a magnifying glass?
As a magnifying glass can collect the rays to burn papers, the concentration power can help us to learn information to finish the assigned task.
2. Why is concentration power essential for success?
It is because the undissipated energy of our concentration will help us fully use our power to accomplish the difficult tasks that will bring us success.
3. What are the main benefits of concentration?
It benefits us in studying and understanding faster, improves the memory, and helps in focusing on any task, job, activity or goal, and achieving it more easily and efficiently. It is also required for developing psychic心靈 powers, and is a powerful tool for the efficient use of creative visualization.
4. Accordingly to the article, what are the main disadvantages of one’s restless mind?
They main disadvantages of one's restless mind will waste our time and energy on unimportant and useless matters. They will also rule our life. We have become so used to this slavery, that we take it for granted, and have become unconscious of this habit, except on certain occasions.
By Remez Sasson
Part I: Read and answer the questions that follow.
When I was a child, I saw how a magnifying glass could burn a piece of paper, when the rays of the sun were focused through it. The fire could start only when the sun's rays were concentrated to a small point. When the magnifying glass was moved too far away or too close to the paper, the rays were not focused enough and nothing happened. This experience describes vividly the power of concentration.
This power can be described as focused attention. It is the ability to direct the attention to one single thought or subject, to the exclusion of everything else.
When our mind is focused, our energies are not dissipated不閒遊 on irrelevant activities or thoughts. This is why developing concentration is essential to anyone who aspires to take charge of his or her life. This skill is essential for every kind of success. Without it, our efforts力量 get scattered分散, but with it, we can accomplish完成 great things.
Concentration has many uses and benefits. It assists in studying and understanding faster, improves the memory, and helps in focusing on any task, job, activity or goal, and achieving it more easily and efficiently. It is also required for developing psychic心靈 powers, and is a powerful tool for the efficient use of creative visualization.
When this ability is developed, the mind obeys us more readily and does not engage in futile, negative thoughts or worries. We gain mental mastery and we experience true peace of mind.
This ability also plays an important role in meditation. Without it, the mind just jumps restlessly from one thought to another, not allowing us to meditate properly.
Do you now realize, why it is very important and worthwhile to develop and improve the ability to concentrate?
To develop this power you need to train and exercise it. Forget all your excuses about not having the time or being too busy. Do not say that the circumstances are not appropriate or that you cannot find a quiet place to exercise. With a little planning, desire and motivation you can always find the time to exercise each day, no matter how busy you are.
The Restless Mind
Thoughts claim our attention incessantly, and waste our time and energy on unimportant and useless matters. They actually rule our life. We have become so used to this slavery, that we take it for granted, and have become unconscious of this habit, except on certain occasions.
It is the same with thinking. We become conscious of the constant onslaught of our thoughts, and of our inability to calm them down, only when we need to concentrate, solve a problem or study. We are also acutely aware of them when we have worries or fears.
Look at the following familiar situation. You need to study something for your job or for an exam. You sit comfortably on the sofa with the book in your hands and start reading. After a while you feel hungry and go to the kitchen to eat something.
You return to read, and then hear people talking outside. You listen to them for several moments and then bring your attention back to the book.
After a while you feel restless and switch on the radio to listen to some music. You continue to read for a little while, and then remember something that happened yesterday, and you start thinking about it.
When you look at your watch, you are amazed to find out that one complete hour has passed and you have hardly read anything.
This is what happens when one lacks concentration. Imagine what you could have accomplished, if you could control your attention and focus your mind!
Work that requires physical strength, such as carrying heavy loads for example, develops physical strength. Yet, it is not as exercising daily to the gym in a systematic manner. It is the same with concentration. Reading, studying and trying to pay attention to what we do, develop some of this ability, but practicing exercises diligently each day is something else, it is like training in a gym.
1. How is the power of concentration compared to a magnifying glass?
As a magnifying glass can collect the rays to burn papers, the concentration power can help us to learn information to finish the assigned task.
2. Why is concentration power essential for success?
It is because the undissipated energy of our concentration will help us fully use our power to accomplish the difficult tasks that will bring us success.
3. What are the main benefits of concentration?
It benefits us in studying and understanding faster, improves the memory, and helps in focusing on any task, job, activity or goal, and achieving it more easily and efficiently. It is also required for developing psychic心靈 powers, and is a powerful tool for the efficient use of creative visualization.
4. Accordingly to the article, what are the main disadvantages of one’s restless mind?
They main disadvantages of one's restless mind will waste our time and energy on unimportant and useless matters. They will also rule our life. We have become so used to this slavery, that we take it for granted, and have become unconscious of this habit, except on certain occasions.
Love Our Neighbours
Neighbours are our friends who live near us. They can be closer to us than our relatives who live far away from us. I have a very close neighbour called Spencer. Spencer is 60 years old, about 178 meters tall with a weight of 60 kilograms. He is still very fit and healthy. He looks younger than his age because he has no white hair.
Neighbours are part of our life. Everyday, I see Spencer at the bus stop near my estate when I was waiting for the bus to school. He rides his bike every morning and past the bus stop. We always say "hello" to each other. I know that he will ride to Tai Po for a bowl of fishball noodles and he will be back at about nine o'clock. I enjoy listening to Spencer's stories, such as what he played in his childhood and whom he played with.
Neighbours can be very helpful when we are in need. I remember my aunt sent us an old model TV. It was too heavy to move from the corridor to my flat. Spencer came to help out. We felt very warm because whenever there is a need, Spencer has no hesitation to show his love and concern to our family.
To sum up, good neighbours are indispensable in our life. They can be friends, listeners of our stories, and our real assistants when we are in need. So, there is no reasons that we would not love our neighbours.
Neighbours are part of our life. Everyday, I see Spencer at the bus stop near my estate when I was waiting for the bus to school. He rides his bike every morning and past the bus stop. We always say "hello" to each other. I know that he will ride to Tai Po for a bowl of fishball noodles and he will be back at about nine o'clock. I enjoy listening to Spencer's stories, such as what he played in his childhood and whom he played with.
Neighbours can be very helpful when we are in need. I remember my aunt sent us an old model TV. It was too heavy to move from the corridor to my flat. Spencer came to help out. We felt very warm because whenever there is a need, Spencer has no hesitation to show his love and concern to our family.
To sum up, good neighbours are indispensable in our life. They can be friends, listeners of our stories, and our real assistants when we are in need. So, there is no reasons that we would not love our neighbours.
2009年10月2日 星期五
Letter Writing Practice
Write a letter to your friend in Australia. Tell him what you know about the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of China.
Read the newspaper articles and sample letter on Terri's Blog before you write.http://www.terriwelcomeyou.blogspot.com/
Read the newspaper articles and sample letter on Terri's Blog before you write.http://www.terriwelcomeyou.blogspot.com/
2009年9月26日 星期六
Synonym and Antonym
Read the following passage and find the synonym and antonym words.
The leading causes of amnesia健忘症 are either physical or psychological.
In antergrade amnesia, the subject is unable to recall the events that occur after a shock or an injury to the brain; however, past memories will not be lost.
In retrograde amnesia, the patient is capable of recalling events that occur after the trauma; interestingly enough, the information stored before the shock, is lost and cannot be retrieved.
In paraamnesia, established memories are contorted. In psychogenic fugue, the subject may venture into a new lifestyle, trying to repress memories which lead to trepidation. The events happening during psychogenic fugue are non-retrievable. Nonetheless, the experiences that happened before the onset can be recovered.
1. What is the topic of the passage?
It is amnesia.
2.What are the synonyms or antonym of the following words you will find in the passage.
a. subject ___Patient_____________________
b. injury ____Shock+Trauma+Trepedation____________________
c. amnesia __Antergrade amnesia+ Retrograde amnesia+paraamnesia+psychogenic fugue
d. unable ___capable+cannot be_____________________
e. happen __occur______________________
f. however __nonetheless+interestingly enough
3.What is the main difference of the three types of the amnesia?
The main difference is the ability to recall the events during, before and after the brain injury.
The leading causes of amnesia健忘症 are either physical or psychological.
In antergrade amnesia, the subject is unable to recall the events that occur after a shock or an injury to the brain; however, past memories will not be lost.
In retrograde amnesia, the patient is capable of recalling events that occur after the trauma; interestingly enough, the information stored before the shock, is lost and cannot be retrieved.
In paraamnesia, established memories are contorted. In psychogenic fugue, the subject may venture into a new lifestyle, trying to repress memories which lead to trepidation. The events happening during psychogenic fugue are non-retrievable. Nonetheless, the experiences that happened before the onset can be recovered.
1. What is the topic of the passage?
It is amnesia.
2.What are the synonyms or antonym of the following words you will find in the passage.
a. subject ___Patient_____________________
b. injury ____Shock+Trauma+Trepedation____________________
c. amnesia __Antergrade amnesia+ Retrograde amnesia+paraamnesia+psychogenic fugue
d. unable ___capable+cannot be_____________________
e. happen __occur______________________
f. however __nonetheless+interestingly enough
3.What is the main difference of the three types of the amnesia?
The main difference is the ability to recall the events during, before and after the brain injury.
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