Learning Challenge: Making Learning More Automatic

Learning by H.E.A.R.T: Making More Automatic

For this week's learning challenge, I decided to explore the Attention aspect of the Learning by H.E.A.R.T challenges. The article that caught my attention most quickly was, How to Make Learning More Automatic. This article mainly focuses on how an individual can make learning on-the-job a habit. The author's main points were that a person should begin by identifying what they need to learn. The author tells readers to take time to think big and think small. This means that we should be thinking about where we want to be in the future as well as where we want to be at the end of the day. In order to make learning habitual, we must be specific about what we want to accomplish. We should monitor the habit we want to make and create a schedule in order to make the habit. So, if I really want to get in the habit of reading the material before my classes, I need to start setting up a time everyday for me to read. 

(Habits. Source: Flickr)

Learning Challenge: Young Children and Empathy

Learning by H.E.A.R.T: Young Children and Empathy

This week I decided to look into the empathy aspect of the Learning by H.E.A.R.T challenges. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. The article I read, What Stealing Cookies Teaches Us About Young Children and Empathy, talks about how analyzing children and the concept of stealing cookies can show their empathy. The study included showing young children a scene where a puppet steals their cookies and also a scene where one puppet cries out when another steals his marbles. The experimenters recorded that the children, not only felt bad for losing their cookies, but also felt sorry for the puppet that had his marbles stolen. The three-year olds would attempt to give back the stolen marbles, if they were given the chance. This shows a lot about how, even the youngest kids, can feel empathy towards others. 

(Puppets. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

 

Learning Challenge: Killing Boredom with Procrastination

Learn by H.E.A.R.T: Killing Boredom with Procrastination

This week, I decided to focus on the Attention aspect of the Learning by H.E.A.R.T challenges. I chose the article, Two-For-One: Killing Boredom with Procrastination, that discusses how boredom and procrastination go hand in hand. The author of the article says that boredom has become this "first-world problem that resembles learned helplessness or depression." Basically, the author says that when we procrastinate, we feel bored, but we don't want to get to that assignment that we are putting off. So, she gives ideas for how to tackle the procrastination and boredom. Many things lead to procrastination, like a messy work space. If we can clear up these stressors, we won't feel the need to procrastinate. We should also try to break up large assignments into smaller parts, so we are not as overwhelmed. 

(Bored girl. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Learning Challenges: The Psychology of Checklists

Learn by H.E.A.R.T: The Psychology of Checklists

This week I decided to look into some Learning by H.E.A.R.T challenges. In particular, I decided to read into the time management articles. I found one about how small goals motivate us to accomplish bigger goals. I find this very useful. I always use checklists to help me remember everything I need to do. I also make sure to break up big assignments into smaller sections so I don't feel so overwhelmed. The article I read, The Psychology of Checklists: Why Setting Small Goals Motivates Us To Accomplish Bigger Things, talks about how our brain releases dopamine when we experience even the smallest amounts of success. When we feel the effects of the dopamine, we want to experience it over and over again. 

(Checklist. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Learning Challenges

Learning by HEART

After looking into the concept of Learning by HEART more in depth, I have become very interested in implementing aspects of this into my life. As the new year came around, I did some introspection and decided that this year, I wanted to read for fun more. I feel like as a college student, I never get the chance to read books purely for recreation. I spend my time dreading having to read my textbooks and consider that my "reading" for the day. I have started to read for fun for about thirty minutes everyday. 

(The Problem with a Good Book. Source: Learning by HEART)

Another thing I need to work on is time management. This is quite possible the most difficult thing for most college students to figure out. I find myself waiting until the last minute to do just about any assignment or studying. I have learned that keeping a planner and writing in it daily has helped me to keep up with my school work in a timely manner. Doing this has also helped me find more time to read books that I actually enjoy. 

(Planner. Source: flickr)