Study Nutrient: Chunking

Study Nutrient: Chunking

Mental Cue: Mmmm…cookies with chocolate chunks!

Brief Description:

This study technique involves engaging in study sessions that employ 1.Focus, 2. Practice, and 3. Repetition. You form conceptual chunks of knowledge by assembling pieces of information in ways that are meaningful and useful, chunks that can grow in complexity with continued use.

Activating this Nutrient:

1.      Identify a main concept that you would like to learn and remember.

2.      Focus on the idea or concept you are attempting to chunk.

3.      Understand the concept as thoroughly as possible by using study techniques such as recall, metaphors and analogies, practice testing, and deliberate practice.

4.      Discern the proper context under which to apply the chunk.

“Health” benefits:

• Enhance your study skills repertoire.
• Engage in focused and diffuse modes of learning to learn difficult subjects.
• Consolidate knowledge into manageable portions.
• Develop your mental capacity for learning new concepts.
• Facilitate your ability to build on and expand chunks over time.
• Enhance your retention of a given subject.

References

Oakley, B. (2016). What is Chunking? (Lecture Video). Retrieved from: Coursera and University of California San Diego Learning How to Learn Coursera: http://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn

Oakley, B. (2016). How to Form a Chunk, Parts 1 and 2 (Lecture Videos). Retrieved from: Coursera and University of California San Diego Learning How to Learn Coursera: http://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn