ISKM61 MOOC

mooc COURSE no. 1:
Learning How to Learn:
Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects

Reflection 1:

29.9.2024: 

As my first MOOC course I chose how to learn :-). Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects | Coursera 

 The first chapter of the course is about focused and diffuse thinking.
From the content I learn how the brain works in problem solving and learning. Scientists have discovered that there are two modes of thinking: Focused mode and Diffuse mode.

• Focused Mode is the type of thinking we are familiar with when we focus intensely on a specific task, such as adding numbers or solving a familiar problem. In this mode, our thoughts easily follow familiar patterns, similar to the game of pinball where the ball hits nearby bumpers and follows a familiar path.

• Diffuse mode, on the other hand, allows a more relaxed approach to thinking, where we can see broader connections and make new neural connections. In this mode, the bumpers of the pinball are not as close together, allowing thoughts to bounce more freely and find new ideas or solutions. This mode is useful in finding new pathways and approaches to problems.

Neuroscientists believe that the brain cannot be in Focused and Diffuse mode at the same time, much like we cannot see both sides of a coin at the same time. Exceptional personalities often use Diffuse Thinking to achieve great results.

The course is structured into short video chapters with review questions at the end.

Reflection 2:

10.10.2024: 

Reflection on the "Learning How to Learn" course

When I joined this course, I thought it would help me manage my learning better and work with information more efficiently. So far, I am happy with it. The chapters about procrastination and memory were really interesting.

I didn’t know that so many people have problems with procrastination, and learning that short techniques like Pomodoro can really help was new for me. I didn’t realize that even a short time of focus can make such a big difference.

I was also surprised by the difference between short-term and long-term memory. The technique of "spaced repetition" – repeating things after some time – was very helpful. I understand now that this is what I need to do more to keep things in my memory longer. I could use this with my students as well.

This week I learned that it’s not only important to understand things quickly but also to give your brain time to process information. I also learned that cramming – studying a lot at the last moment – is not very effective and that’s why we forget things if we don’t practice them over time.

So far, the course gives me many useful tips that I want to try in my study and in my work. I look forward to the next lessons and I believe it will help me improve.

Reflection 3:

19.10.2024: 

How to Use Memory in Learning: Reflection on the MOOC Course

Learning is a complicated process, and memory plays an important role in how well we can remember new information. Recently, I took a MOOC course that made me think about how memory works and how we can use it better. One of the main points of the course was the difference between two types of memory: working memory and long-term memory. Working memory is like a small board where we can hold only a few things at the same time. This is why we need to repeat things to remember them, or they will disappear. This idea made me think, because I often forget details from lectures if I don’t write them down.

Long-term memory, on the other hand, is a big storage where we keep information for a long time. But to move information from working memory to long-term memory, we need to practice and repeat. One technique I learned is spaced repetition—repeating information over a few days. This helps us remember things better and use them when we need them.

The course also showed that trying to learn everything in one night is not a good idea. Before, I used to study like that for exams, but now I understand that it’s better to practice over several days. Learning is like building a wall—you need to let the “cement” dry between the bricks, so the wall is strong.

In one lesson, I listened to an interview with Dr. Terrence Sejnowski, a famous neuroscientist. His ideas about learning inspired me. He said that he learns best when he is “in the field,” working on real experiments. Passive learning doesn’t work well, so it’s good to ask questions and join discussions. He also talked about multitasking—not doing many things at the same time, but switching quickly between tasks, which we can practice.

Key Points from the Interview:

• Learning by doing: Active learning gives better results than just reading or listening.

• Diffuse thinking: Exercise and rest are great for letting the brain work in the background and find new ideas.

• Multitasking: It’s not about doing many things at once, but about switching quickly between tasks.

• Exercise and neurons: Physical activity helps new neurons grow in the brain, which improves memory.

• Creative environment: Working with creative people helps your own creativity and thinking.

Overall, this course gave me a new view on learning and helped me think about how to use my memory better.

Reflection 4:

03.11.2024: 

Challenges of Online Learning with an Irregular Schedule

Online education is fascinating for me, but also difficult. The MOOC course I am studying now has a great topic and is very interesting. It gives me a lot of ideas on how to better understand learning and my own habits. The problem I have is time.

My work as a teacher takes all my energy, from preparation to the actual teaching. I want everything to be the best quality, which means spending more and more time on it. Also, learning about Microsoft applications, which I teach, is a constant process that keeps me busy, but also makes me tired.

I know that online courses can help me organize my time better and offer flexibility, but my irregular schedule makes it difficult. I often use travel time to listen to lessons, but I cannot always give it the attention I want. I also have a family that I want to be with, which is just as important to me as my professional growth.

My biggest problem is irregularity. When I do start a course, I am excited and motivated. But doing regular reflections and finding time for systematic study is hard. My desire for quality education sometimes conflicts with the reality of time limits.

But I know it can be managed. I need more regularity and planning, even if it is in small steps, which will help me stay on track. Courses like this show me that investing in myself is always important. I want to find a way to make this investment more real, sustainable, and effective.

Online COURSE no. 2:
Microsoft Power BI Desktop pro Business Intelligence

Reflection 5:

As my second course I chose Course: Microsoft Power BI Desktop for Business Intelligence | Udemy  

06.11.2024: 

Challenges of Studying a Complex Topic: Power BI

Studying the online course 'Microsoft Power BI Desktop for Business Intelligence' on Udemy is very interesting for me because the topic is close to my work. The course is quite long – the total time of recorded content is 16.5 hours, and with careful repetition and trying things with the teacher, I estimate it will take me over 30 hours to complete.

This course requires real focus and enough time to apply what I learn in practice. The good thing is that I can try everything I learn and see how Power BI tools affect data analysis and visualization. On the other hand, the course is long and hard, and it takes a lot of time and concentration, which I need to split between work, family, and other activities.

The time needed for the course is a big factor for me. When I think about how many hours it will take, it puts pressure on my time management. I need to plan carefully to complete such a big course step by step. The course has a very well-structured content and logical order, which helps me stay on track and motivates me to continue, even in small steps.

Reflection 6:

11.11.2024: 

Challenges of Studying a Complex Topic: Power BI

This course shows me the possibilities Power BI offers in data analysis and visualization. The practical exercises are extremely useful but also time consuming. It's great to see how the theory turns into practice, but sometimes I feel the pressure of not having enough time to process all the information the course offers. I often have to divide my attention between different activities - work commitments, family and this course - which does not make it an easy task.

Despite this demanding nature, the course helps me to expand the boundaries of my abilities. I can see that Power BI is a powerful tool that can fundamentally impact the efficiency and accuracy of the analyses I do. This motivates me to complete the course, even if it takes me longer than I originally anticipated. So I try to see each small step forward as a success and believe that the investment in myself is worthwhile, even though the goal sometimes seems distant.

Reflection 9:

7.12.2024: 

"Balancing Travel and Learning: Progress and Plans Ahead"

This week was another busy one with traveling, but I managed to devote an entire long afternoon and evening at the hotel to catching up on some small deferred projects and other tasks.

I had exceptionally planned my journey from Pardubice to Breclav and back by train, and even during the trip, I made good use of the time for work and study. Although I made only a little progress in the Power BI course, that's okay—I'm happy with it. It feels as satisfying as maintaining a streak on Duolingo, which is now at 635 days! ;-)

I also plan to complete the Elements of AI course by the end of the year, so it's time to buckle down and get to work!