'A Mind For Numbers' Reflection, and Reading Circle Questions
As part of One Book One Community (OBOC) Initiative by Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Texas A&M University at Qatar, we (students, staff, and faculty) are reading the book A Mind for Numbers by Dr. Barbara Oakley. I was privileged to get the chance to have my own weekly reading circle, besides taking part in the social Read-Ins (that also happen weekly).
The reading circle happens once a week, for four weeks. We discuss the content of each chapter in details, then ask questions that are related to that chapter. Below, I listed my favourite advises from the book, followed by the questions that I have been asking in the reading circle. In addition to that you will find my personal review about the book. Enjoy reading :)
The Book Review:
Overall, the book is very good. I liked how the author started the book with her own personal experience, that makes me relate more to her and to her story as a reader.
Despite the name of the book, you don't really have to read it only if you want to become better at Math. The book discusses learning techniques that you can apply to any topic and not necessary numbers.
The book is structured in a way that the chapters are short and sweet, and you can easily locate the different sections withing the chapter, whether you want to skip directly to the summary, or read personal experiences of the people interviewed.
My only dislike about the book is the metaphoric use of zombies (just because I don't like zombies), but that doesn't change the fact that it is a good learning tool.
My Personal top five advises from the book (for students):
Hide the solution when you are solving a problem.
It happens all the time that you see a question and think that you know how to do it, later you see it in the exam and don't even know how to start. It happened to me a lot. A key solution is to hide the solution when you are solving an example, or if you are solving a new problem don't keep sneaking at the back of the book to see the solution.
Change your studying location
It makes you in a better mood to be in a different place once in a while rather than remaining stuck in your room all the time. Also, it helps you to train to focus in a place that you are not acquainted to (a great skill if you are having exams in a place you are not used to). Try a coffee shop or your local library.
Talk to yourself (while studying)
After studying a new concept, try to explain it to yourself out loud. If you can explain something that means you probably understand it well.
Write notes the traditional way (by hand)
This one works wonder. When I write by hand I feel that my brain is absorbing the information. If you are used to typing, try to write by hand once in a while, you will notice the difference.
Create a memory palace (if you want to remember directions to a place).
I used to be very bad in remembering the directions to go to a certain place (even to drive back to my home), until I found this trick. Drawing the map in your mind helps you visualise the streets. This trick does not have to be applied to remembering directions, you can do the same to remember anything that you want.
List of Questions for the Reading Circle:
What is your motivation behind reading this book? (It does not have to be becoming better at Math)
List three things that make you be in a 'diffuse' mode of thinking
When was the last time you procrastinated?
What is your favourite way to reward yourself?
If you need to remember an equation or memorise a new word, what is your way of doing so?
Do you use a pen or a keyboard to when you write or take notes? Why do you use that method? Have you tried another method than your usual one?
When you catch yourself in class or at a lecture daydreaming, what do you do? How do you bring yourself back to focus? (or maybe you don't)
If you were not a (student, teacher, engineer,...etc) what would you like to be? Can you think of a way to combine both your current profession and your passion?
Do you consider a fast thinker or a slow thinker? Can you think of one advantage to having that 'type of thinking'?
Have you ever tried learning on your own before? If yes, what was the topic?
Do you study/ work in groups usually?