In education and learning it is important to understand that skills and concepts require different approaches to learning. They also require
an understanding of the goals of different types of Practise. Different strategies will be appropriate for different goals. Effective
learning also requires an understanding of the differences in the type of knowledge with which you need to engage. There are differences
between Declarative and Procedural Knowledge.
When it comes to recall of essential knowledge, such as key terms or times tables, the goal is Automaticity. When it comes to deeper understanding and the ability to process, the goal is entering a Flow state.
1. Automaticity
Automaticity requires minimal mental effort. Automaticity explains why it is possible to drive home without conscious thought when you are tired. Learners need to regularly and repeatedly practise these skills until they become routine and require little or no effort to recall. The key here is repetition!
2. Flow State
When learners are engaged in an activity at which they are skilled so that their focus is so deep they do not notice time pass, they are in Flow State. The state was identified by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. This state is usually characterised by enjoyment and high engagement. Tips for engaging in learning at this level include:
Blocking all distraction totally
What you are doing is irrelevant to achieving Flow. What is important is to concentrate attention on the task at hand so fully that you momentarily forget everything else!
Procedural Knowledge:
Declarative Knowledge:
Practise! Practise! And then Practise again!
The school breaks are great times to book extra lessons to refine and hone a particular skill or lock and load an important understanding.
Don’t put it off- practise today!
