Welcome to "Answering the Question: What is Learning?" This unit is inspired by the insights of Barbara Oakley, a renowned educator and author known for her work on learning and cognitive science. Her book "Learning How to Learn" provides a deep dive into practical strategies to master memory and learning through practice. Throughout this unit, you'll explore various aspects of learning, from understanding different modes of thinking to mastering memory techniques. By the end, you'll have a toolkit of strategies to improve your learning efficiency and creativity.

We begin with Barbara Oakley guiding us through the two fundamental modes of thinking.

Throughout history, creative thinkers have found ways to access the diffuse mode. Salvador Dali, for instance, used a technique involving a key held in his hand while he sat in a chair. As he drifted into sleep, the key would fall from his hand and clatter onto the floor, waking him up and allowing him to capture creative ideas from the diffuse mode before returning to focused thinking for painting.

Similarly, Thomas Edison used ball bearings, which he held in his hand while napping in a chair. As he fell asleep, the ball bearings would drop, creating a noise that woke him up with new insights for his inventions.

These examples highlight the power of tapping into the diffuse mode for creative breakthroughs.

Alternating between focused and diffuse thinking enhances learning and creativity. When you're stuck on a problem in deep concentration through the focused mode, it's often beneficial to step back and let your brain process the information in the diffuse mode. This approach allows for more neural processing, often below conscious awareness, leading to new insights and solutions.

Barbara Oakley emphasizes that the interplay between these two modes is crucial for effective learning and problem-solving. By mastering the art of switching between focused and diffuse thinking, you can achieve the following benefits:

• Enhanced Problem-Solving: Results in a more comprehensive approach to tackling problems, enabling you to see both the details and the bigger picture.
• Increased Creativity: Switching to the diffuse mode allows your mind to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, leading to innovative solutions.
• Greater Flexibility in Thinking: Enhances cognitive flexibility, allowing you to adapt to new challenges and environments more effectively.

Let's explore a conversation between two colleagues to see how these modes of thinking can be applied in a real-world scenario.

• Jake: I've been stuck on this problem for hours. I can't seem to find the answer.
• Victoria: Maybe you should take a break and let your mind wander a bit. Sometimes stepping away helps.
• Jake: What do you do to help let your mind wander?
• Victoria: I usually go for a walk or move to a different environment. It usually helps me see the problem from a new angle.
• Jake: Good idea. I'll try that and see if it helps.

In this dialogue, Jake is initially using focused thinking to solve a problem. Victoria suggests switching to diffuse thinking by taking a break, which can often lead to new insights. This conversation illustrates the practical application of alternating between the two modes to enhance problem-solving.

In the upcoming role-play session, you'll have the opportunity to practice these concepts in real-world scenarios.