Punctuated Learning
We all know that taking breaks between learning helps improve retention. Known as spaced or punctuated leaning. But recent research into brain processing shows some surprising neural patterns. Similar
Taking breaks during learning, we probably all know, is a good thing. It improves learning and reduces fatigue. Nothing new, we’ve known this for decades. There is also a logic to having lessons that are 45 minutes long because research has long shown that attention starts to slip dramatically after this.
Recent research out of Microsoft that I reported on in lbR-2021-05 support this. This particular research showed that not taking breaks after Zoom meetings had dramatic effects on brain wave patterns. This is therefore the standard explanation, and a good explanation, that the brain gets overloaded and needs to take a break.
The second piece of logic is that when taking a break, particularly overnight the brain engages in rewiring and consolidating the learning. Multiple studies have shown that cognitive and motor learning is improved after a good night’s sleep and that the majority of brain growth, rewiring, happens during deep sleep. So, another good reason to get a good night’s sleep: it enables learning and brain wiring.
This is so far the standard logic, and this is true, and also impressive, is that breaks and rest during sessions enables the brain to reset and keep attention, and rest overnight enables the brain to consolidate learning and build the connections to stabilise long-term memory or motor ability.
Two recent pieces of research look into taking breaks and learning, and both are interesting because they show different neural processes that also help learning. The first one because it shows that very short breaks can also be beneficial, and the other showing surprising neural patterns that turns the logic of taking breaks on its head a bit. Only a bit.
Short breaks can be very effective
What this latest research by Wever at al. does though is measure short breaks and very short breaks at that. This is particularly interesting. What is even more fascinating is the way the researchers manage to measure this by measuring brain waves of participants and matching this to their behaviour and then watching what the brain did during the breaks (yup, pretty cool).
What did the brain do during the breaks?
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