Topic Nine: Searching for patterns
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this reading you will be able to:
1. Describe why the human brain has the need to search for patterns
2. Demonstrate how cause and effect pattern searching is a construct useful for critical thinking
3. Differentiate cause and effect pattern searching from hierarchical pattern searching
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this reading you will be able to:
1. Describe why the human brain has the need to search for patterns
2. Demonstrate how cause and effect pattern searching is a construct useful for critical thinking
3. Differentiate cause and effect pattern searching from hierarchical pattern searching
Conceptual Framework: Finding patterns everywhere (even when they are not there)
The human brain has a need to search for patterns. It is grounded in our genetic make-up. Recognizing patterns is what assists the learner to make sense of the world and develop understandings of perceived reality. Personally meaningful connections between thoughts or concepts improves memory for the pieces of information learned. The lack of recognizing patterns that exist in pieces of information inhibits learning. The irony is that the human brain will continue to search for "meaningful" patterns even when none exist. The best way to enhance pattern recognition is to link new learning to prior learning. Seeing a pattern by linking new information to old information will enhance the ability to later recall the new information.
Doyle, T. (2011). Learner-centered teaching. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
The human brain has a need to search for patterns. It is grounded in our genetic make-up. Recognizing patterns is what assists the learner to make sense of the world and develop understandings of perceived reality. Personally meaningful connections between thoughts or concepts improves memory for the pieces of information learned. The lack of recognizing patterns that exist in pieces of information inhibits learning. The irony is that the human brain will continue to search for "meaningful" patterns even when none exist. The best way to enhance pattern recognition is to link new learning to prior learning. Seeing a pattern by linking new information to old information will enhance the ability to later recall the new information.
Doyle, T. (2011). Learner-centered teaching. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Example
The photo at the top of this page provides an example of how the human brain searches for patterns. What do you see as you stare at the faucet? Do you see a face? What do you think made you find a pattern that could be interpreted as a face? Look at the optical illusion on the left. It appears to be moving, but it is not. The brain sees what it expects to see.
The photo at the top of this page provides an example of how the human brain searches for patterns. What do you see as you stare at the faucet? Do you see a face? What do you think made you find a pattern that could be interpreted as a face? Look at the optical illusion on the left. It appears to be moving, but it is not. The brain sees what it expects to see.
Ways to nurture pattern formation
Tying a string around your finger is not a useful tool for remembering. Attempting to memorize information without a context for understanding will not lead to transfer-of-learning and storage in long-term memory. Comparing and contrasting pieces of information in order to find differences and similarities helps to sort and classify ideas and concepts. Searching for cause and effect relationships help learners to find reasons and precipitants for events. Rank ordering of information by level of importance or frequency can place information in a perspective that can be more readily digested.
Tying a string around your finger is not a useful tool for remembering. Attempting to memorize information without a context for understanding will not lead to transfer-of-learning and storage in long-term memory. Comparing and contrasting pieces of information in order to find differences and similarities helps to sort and classify ideas and concepts. Searching for cause and effect relationships help learners to find reasons and precipitants for events. Rank ordering of information by level of importance or frequency can place information in a perspective that can be more readily digested.
Self-Assessment
1. When you were a child what were ways that you found yourself best able to remember important information?
2. When learning something new what type of patterns do typically search for?
3. Give an example of the last thing you memorized. What pattern did you use to remember the information? Why go you think it was effective?
1. When you were a child what were ways that you found yourself best able to remember important information?
2. When learning something new what type of patterns do typically search for?
3. Give an example of the last thing you memorized. What pattern did you use to remember the information? Why go you think it was effective?