
you are here 4 xxi
the intro
If you really want to learn, and you want to learn more quickly and more deeply,
pay attention to how you pay attention. Think about how you think. Learn how you
learn.
Most of us did not take courses on metacognition or learning theory when we were
growing up. We were expected to learn, but rarely taught to learn.
But we assume that if you’re holding this book, you really want (or need) to learn
about geometry. And you probably don’t want to spend a lot of time. And since
you’re going to have to use this stuff in the future, you need to remember what you
read. And for that, you’ve got to understand it. To get the most from this book, or any
book or learning experience, take responsibility for your brain.
Your brain on geometry.
The trick is to get your brain to see the new material you’re learning
as Really Important. Crucial to your well-being. As important as a
tiger. Otherwise, you’re in for a constant battle, with your brain doing
its best to keep the new content from sticking.
Metacognition: thinking about thinking
I wonder how I
can trick my brain
into remembering
this stuff....
So just how
DO
you get your brain to think that
geometry is a hungry tiger?
There’s the slow, tedious way, or the faster, more effective way. The
slow way is about sheer repetition. You obviously know that you
are able to learn and remember even the dullest of topics if ...