Day 10 and 11

Math Review

I'm up to 81% on 7th grade math. Nothing too difficult here.

Simplifying tricky fractions: Learn how to take complex looking fractions and make them much, much simpler.

Equivalent expressions with negative numbers: Equivalent expressions with negative numbers

Study Habits

Today I continued reading Barbara Oakley's book A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even if you Flunked Algebra). 

Chapter 2 is called "Easy Does It." The main gist of the chapter is about focused and diffuse modes of thinking, and how pushing too hard staying in the focused mode can make learning harder.

*Tip* - Prime your pump -  It's a good idea to glance through chapter headings, graphics, charts insets, etc, when first reading a text about math or science. Doing so sets up a framework for your brain to fill in when you actually read the chapter.

Contemporary neuroscientists understand the brain as having different types of networks that it switches between--highly attentive states and more relaxed, resting states. Barbara Oakley calls these types of networks, and modes of thinking associated with them, the focused mode and the diffuse mode. 

The focused mode uses a direct approach of rational, sequential and analytical thought to solve problems. Dr. Oakley uses the metaphor of a highly focused flashlight beam to describe it. By contrast, the diffused mode is associated with big picture perspectives and happens when you relax your mind and let it wander. New insights pop up when this mode of thought happens. Both modes of thought are necessary for learning, especially in math and science, and switching back and forth makes learning easier. There will be tips and tricks to get students to switch back and forth between modes in later chapters.

There are evolutionary reasons for the brain to work this way, and Dr. Oakley delves more deeply into them, so definitely get her book.

Languages

French - Duolingo review: My tree is still complete and I'm keeping it all gold!

German - Numbers 2

Spanish - Objects (first half)