7 learning myths put to the test
What helps us to learn - and what doesn't? There are many ideas about this. But are they even true?
- It's easier to learn with music
Unfortunately not. Studies clearly show that music tends to be distracting. Exceptions are certain classical pieces. Experts therefore recommend that if you have three hours available, it is better to concentrate on studying for two hours and then listen to music for an hour, as this is more effective than studying for three hours with music.
- Only practice makes perfect
Not only, but also. Our brain uses repetition to memorise what we have learned - whether it's vocabulary or movement sequences. However, talent, intelligence and an understanding of interrelationships are also important in order to actually achieve mastery in a discipline. In addition to practising.
- Sport helps with learning
International scientists agree that this is true. Numerous studies have shown that sport makes learning easier because you can concentrate better afterwards. Exercise ensures that the brain is better supplied with blood and oxygen. It also releases happiness hormones. They put you in a good mood and reduce stress. After a sports break, you are more relaxed and can focus on the subject matter with an alert brain.
- Those who mark things in texts retain more
Only partially true. If you don't understand a text, markers won't help you either. However, it can be useful to think about what exactly you want to mark beforehand. For example, unknown words that you then write out later and look up.
- You can also learn in your sleep
This is at least partly true. This is because our brain sorts things at night while we sleep: it shifts the information that is to be stored in the long term from working memory to long-term memory. Anyone who learns in the evening before going to bed feeds their brain with new information that cannot initially be overlaid by other information. However, our brain first stores information that it considers important. And this is primarily information that affects us emotionally. For example, a family argument that preoccupies us or an upsetting film in the evening can prevent learning material from being stored. It is also detrimental to the learning effect to study when you are tired.
Video series «Learning with children»
How can parents support their children in learning? What motivates them, what only causes conflict at home? Psychologists Fabian Grolimund, Stefanie Rietzler and Nora Völker give tips and show in the videos with the rabbit how to praise and motivate children and how to deal with defeat.
You can watch all episodes of the series here
https://youtu.be/mRjuUev3cec
- People who write things down remember them better
People who write down maths formulae or French vocabulary learn more effectively than if they just read this information. The motorised movement of writing is an additional sensory impression to just reading and imagining something; the movement of the hand activates more synapses. This also makes it easier to memorise actions if they are not only explained to you, but if you have actually performed them yourself.
- When children are praised, they learn better
Too much praise and praise that is given incorrectly can lead to children developing a false self-image and thus losing motivation. Psychologists recommend not giving general praise such as «You're so talented!» or «You're a little maths genius!», but rather praising specific activities and details. For example, «Great, how you persevered to the end of the text» or «You chose the colours particularly well».
