Many people report engaging in study habits that are not very effective or very efficient. How do we know what strategies are best? Cognitive psychologists have been doing research to ask this very question for multiple decades. It turns out that many strategies that people use extensively are not the ones that cognitive psychology research shows to be the most effective or efficient for learning. In this course, you will learn how to apply research-based principles from cognitive psychology to become a more effective and efficient learner.
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What are the research-based principles from cognitive psychology that will help you become a more effective and efficient learner? In this course, we’ll cover how we think, how we learn and forget information, and the best ways to improve our study habits.
We begin with metacognition, or thinking about thinking, specifically how we assess what we know, and the choices we make based on those assessments. We’ll then follow up with why forgetting happens and discuss ways to reduce forgetting and improve long-term learning. Next, we’ll look at four specific strategies that will make you a more effective learner—spaced learning, retrieval practice, elaboration, and focused learning.
Of course, we would be remiss if we did not discuss the advantages and disadvantages of other popular study strategies—ones that you’re likely already using. Rather than suggesting you abandon them entirely, we’ll explain how you might modify or adjust them to make them more effective. Finally, we know that procrastination is a problem for most learners. Having the right strategies to overcome this common pitfall will help you not just in your academic pursuits, but in many areas of your life.
We’re confident that if you apply the scientifically validated concepts we cover in this course, you’ll be able to get more out of your studying and see improvements in your academic performance. We’re glad to have you with us on this learning journey and can’t wait to get started!
What you'll learn
- Explain why metacognition is important to becoming a better learner.
- Describe what forgetting is.
- Explain what spaced (distributed) learning means.
- Explain what retrieval practice means.
- Explain how elaboration is effective for long-term learning.
- Explain how divided attention negatively impacts reading and learning.
- Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of popular study strategies.
- Explain why reducing academic procrastination can promote effective learning.
Syllabus
- The Foundations of Being a Better Learner
Metacognition
Memory and Forgetting
- Four Psychological Principles for More Effective Learning
Spaced Learning
Retrieval Practice
Elaboration
Focused Learning
- Improving Your Studying Technique
Strategies and Pitfalls
Better Study Habits
