{"id":99880,"date":"2023-04-18T16:33:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T20:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=99880"},"modified":"2023-04-20T15:45:12","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T19:45:12","slug":"being-a-slow-learner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/being-a-slow-learner\/","title":{"rendered":"How Being a Slow Learner Can Give You an Edge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you a slow learner? Do you feel pressure to learn faster? How much do you learn when you cram for a test?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine that the tortoise and the hare are in a learning race. Now, imagine the tortoise crossing the finish line first. In Limitless Mind<\/em>, math educator Jo Boaler explains why slow learning gives you an advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn how being a slow learner can put you ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Learn Slowly, Not Quickly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Research has debunked a long-held belief that\u2019s contributed greatly to students\u2019 dislike of learning\u2014the idea that intelligence is tied to quick thinking. In fact, the opposite is true. Boaler shows that being a slow learner isn’t something you necessarily should try to fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boaler explains that, much like a computer, your brain has two different types of recall: your active memory (what you\u2019re thinking about right now) and long-term memory. Timed tests engage your short-term active memory, but the information stored there is quickly lost and replaced as soon as it isn\u2019t needed.<\/strong> This is why \u201ccramming for a test\u201d doesn\u2019t result in true learning\u2014you\u2019ve simply trained your brain to temporarily store facts, regurgitate them, then clear them from your mind to make room for the next cramming session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: While Boaler explains that knowledge in short-term memory is easily lost, she doesn\u2019t go into detail about why. In Ultralearning<\/em><\/a>, Scott Young lists several theories<\/a>: First, that memories naturally decay<\/a>. Second, information has to compete for space in your brain<\/a>, so different concepts and skills can interfere with each other as your mind tries to absorb them. Third is the theory that your memories may still be there but that you\u2019ve forgotten how to access them<\/a>, as in the case when a person\u2019s name is \u201con the tip of your tongue.\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A different issue with speed-based testing is that it produces anxiety, which shuts down your brain\u2019s active memory. You\u2019ve experienced this when someone asks you an urgent question and you suddenly can\u2019t remember the answer. Boaler says that forcing students into this trap via timed testing creates negative associations around learning. In reality, the experts in any field of knowledge are those who think slowly and deeply about a subject. Slow thinkers outperform quick thinkers in the long run<\/strong> because spending a lot of time to understand a subject engages your brain\u2019s long-term memory and builds understanding by creating more and stronger neural pathways than quick thinking does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Another reason the slower approach can be more effective than rapid problem-solving is that it gives you time to incorporate both hemispheres of your brain into the learning process. In A Mind for Numbers<\/em><\/a>, Barbara Oakley refers to this as \u201cdiffuse-mode thinking,\u201d which occurs when your mind is at rest and your thoughts have the luxury to explore longer neural pathways<\/a>. Diffuse-mode thinking<\/a> lets you come up with more creative solutions than you could when under a time crunch, which is why when you\u2019re stuck on a problem, it\u2019s effective to just walk away and let your mind wander<\/a>.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you a slow learner? Do you feel pressure to learn faster? How much do you learn when you cram for a test? Imagine that the tortoise and the hare are in a learning race. Now, imagine the tortoise crossing the finish line first. In Limitless Mind, math educator Jo Boaler explains why slow learning gives you an advantage. Keep reading to learn how being a slow learner can put you ahead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":46061,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,160],"tags":[987],"class_list":["post-99880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-science","tag-limitless-mind","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Being a Slow Learner Can Give You an Edge - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Being a slow learner isn't something you necessarily should "fix." In fact, it can put you ahead. 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