Information is an asset - Introduction to Cyber Security - completion reflection #FLsecurity #MOOC

Successful and vigilant cyber security requires a proactive attitude in order to maintain your current situation and to be on the look out for new updates. Ultimately, it's not just about changing some passwords and then sweeping all concerns under the carpet. Introduction to Cyber Security is not a quick fix, it's a quick introduction, beyond it's teaching, you have to keep running with what you learned.

I have now completed Introduction to Cyber Security (a week ahead of the official completion date) and the main realisation I have taken from the course is that all information is an asset, especially your personal information!

All done and dusted.

Our day-to-day activities online and on our personal computing devices offer countless means for our personal data to be compromised and exploited by cybercriminals. 

Introduction to Cyber Security offers a great deal of clarity on this subject by providing overviews:

• of the threats that currently exist and how they actually function
• of how you can minimise the possibility of being a victim to one of these threats.
• of what to do if you are compromised by a threat.
• of real life compromisation examples: how they happened, how they were dealt with, the long-term consequences.
• of how computing, online networks and digital security systems actually function 
• of how computing, online networks and digital security systems are often compromised.
• of how cyber security is not an exact science and never will be - it's about educating yourself to always be on your toes!

Cory Doctorow presents Introduction to Cyber Security

The main idea to understand in regards to implementing strong cyber security is in understanding three basic aspects underpinning effective security:

• Confidentiality - our data to only be accessed by appropriate individuals.
• Integrity - our data to only be manipulated by authorised parties.
• Availability - our data to be accessible whenever we want.

Once you have these principles understood you are in a vastly better position to assess your own cyber security in regards to your daily activities and the other individuals and/or organisations with which you come into contact.

If authenticity can not be verified or if confidentiality can not be guaranteed, then there is cause for concern.

CIA - Confidentiality Integrity and Availability.

While undertaking the course, you are very much encouraged to put into practice what the educators advise as minimalising your exposure to a potential threat. This practice is very accessible as there are many step-by-step guides included as part of the course materials.

The undertaking of this course has been pretty well timed, as improving my cyber security situation is something that I have been very actively improving for some time now; in particular since August when I was having trouble with my desktop computer and then when I was setting up my new laptop (which I acquired to replace my desktop computer). 

A couple of months back my bank account was very nearly compromised, but fortunately my banking security got on the case and my credentials were reset and no money was lost. I still do not know how my bank account was compromised, but this incident has made me much more vigilant in regards to my cyber security practice. 

Therefore, the Introduction to Cyber Security course has served as a natural progression on from what I have already done by filling in the gaps of what I had not done or of which I was a little unsure.

The course is broken down into the following areas: 

• Week 1: Threat Landscape
• Week 2: Authentication
• Week 3: Malware
• Week 4: Networking and Communications
• Week 5: Cryptography
• Week 6: Networking Security
• Week 7: When Your Defences Fail
• Week 8: Managing Security Risks

The time span and content of the course has quite nicely and reflexively criss-crossed with the Internet History, Technology and Security MOOC I have just about completed. In many ways the Internet History, etc MOOC has lain the historical and technical groundwork for what I have been learning in Introduction to Cyber Security.

The two MOOCs very strongly compliment each other and I would say that the Cyber Security MOOC is the natural successor to take after completing the Internet History, etc. MOOC.

Only the last two weeks of the Internet History, etc. MOOC have been devoted to security, so I have been given a huge and very detailed preview of those last two weeks with the Cyber Security MOOC. 

This is just as well, as I suspect I would not have been able to have been able to get my head around the concept and workings of public and private keys in the Internet History, etc. MOOC had I not already encountered it in the Cyber Security MOOC. 

The internet - a network of networks.

Likewise I would have struggled with the presentation and explanation of internet networking, communications, IP protocols, etc., in the Cyber Security MOOC had I not already had it very minutely illustrated in the Internet History, etc. MOOC.

However, one of the most startling discoveries I have had revealed from both of these MOOCs and which has provided even more incentive to become highly literate in cyber security is the fact that the internet is not encrypted - it's an open space for all to see what passess through it (if you know how). 

The reason for why the entirety of the internet is not encrypted is because it would require way too much computing power to encrypt and decrypt every single piece of information that goes through it. Therefore, only sensitive material, such as online payments, are encrypted. 

https - the 's' tells you that the current webpage you are on is secure and is a verified web page. If you click on the padlock a drop down will reveal more information about the web page you are on. The main point to be taken from this is: if there is no https and the web page is asking you to hand over some personal data - don't, because that web page is not secure!

Additionally, a user can choose to encrypt their data where appropriate (emails being a primary target), but only when the user understands how to go about utilising encryption and decryption and this is something that the course touches upon an encourages.

I have implemented many of the course's suggested practices, such as:

• taking stock and organising of my information assets (this is ongoing, it's a lot of stuff to get through)
• rejigging all of my passwords and setting up a password manager (this took the better part of a day)
• ensuring that my security software and firewalls are up to date
• utilising signed and encrypted email (I am working on this)
• being aware of how exposed I can leave my devices and data in public spaces and securing them appropriately
• nurturing better awareness of tell-tale signs of threats and indications of strong cyber security, e.g. phishing emails, checking for https.

It can get confusing, but understanding it will make you literate and cyber secure.

I believe there are two issues are at the root of the reason for why so many people of ignorant towards their own cyber security and how that can be hugely detrimental to them:

1. Lack of overall understanding to all the threats out their, how to counter them and the consequences of not countering them.
2. getting into and staying in the habit of consistently maintaining high standards of cyber security practice.

As I have come to learn from the course, understanding all of the potential threats, how you can counter them and what are the long term consequences of not countering them is easy, once you invest the time and effort into actually understanding the emerging subject of cyber security.

However, consistently maintaining high standards of cyber security practice requires vastly more effort and that is the challenge I am starting to understand now - starting is easy, staying in the habit requires much more effort and perseverance. 

Not all aspects of cyber security are convenient or painless and, as the internet and the technologies and the algorithms that support the internet continue to grow and change and improve, so too will the cyber threats. 

Cyberspace cryptography.

Successful and vigilant cyber security requires a proactive attitude in order to maintain your current situation and to be on the look out for new updates. 

Ultimately, it's not just about changing some passwords and then sweeping all concerns under the carpet. Introduction to Cyber Security is not a quick fix, it's a quick introduction, beyond it's teaching, you have to keep running with what you learned.

For quite some time now I have placed a great value on my time, even greater than I place on money - time is finite, but you can always acquire new money! I also place a high value on my overall well-being which I also place this higher than money - if you're dead, you can't make any money. 

Like time, health and money, your information - your identity - is an asset. A very valuable asset! 

Therefore, realise, as I have, that if you want to keep your information/data/identity/cyber presence healthy, secure and in a position to keep you financially content, you are going to have to invest consistent amounts of your time into maintaining a vigilant defence about it.

Common tell-tale signs of a phishing email - delete these!

Ultimately, like the Open University's earlier Managing My Money MOOC (which I have yet to complete) that offered a grounds up look at basic and successful personal finance terminology and practice, Introduction to Cyber Security is designed for anyone and is intended for anyone - utilise this free resource and reaps the rewards further down the line.

Information, just like time or money or maintaining good health, is a vital asset of a productive and fulfilling life - do not allow it to be compromised. 

Your information is an asset, so look after it!

Be smart and be secure.

Pomodoro is a go

Well, not quite a pomodoro, but I have purchased a new egg timer so as to be able to keep utilising the pomodoro technique while I am working.

£4 - could have been worse.

I first came across the Pomodoro Technique while studying the Learning how to Learn MOOC.

In short, the pomodoro technique encourages the you brain to produce the best long-lasting results by forcing you to invest set periods of intense focused attention that are broken up by short period of unfocused attention...

The Pomodoro Technique in practice.

I have been getting in the habit of utilising the technique since undertaking the Learning how to Learn MOOC, but I have found the Pomodoro apps I have tried on my PC and iPad to be a little too cumbersome and plagued by problems.

I want something that will just work, I do not want something that is just going to create more work. 

Therefore, I have decided to go down the old fashioned route.

I just need to get used to the tick, tick, ticking...

Do you take my meaning? Understanding Language - Week 1 Reflection #FLlanguage #MOOC

The emphasis of the first week of the Understanding Language MOOC has been focused on the theory behind language learning, as explored through a consideration of what comprises 'meaning'. 

'Meaning' was broken down into four subsets:

• Lexical meaning - the meaning of words
• Sentence meaning - the meaning of sentences
• Grammatical meaning - the construction and manipulation of essential meaning within sentences
• Pragmatic meaning - meaning of specificity in language transmission that relies on knowledge of the world and the discourse context

The consideration of 'meaning' is the main item I have taken from this first week, as the meaning of the english language is something that I have been increasingly considering more much minutely than my fellow peers; mainly because much of my schooling life I was largely illiterate and it was only when I approached university (about five years ago) that I decided it was time to get to grips with basic english grammar.

Notes from Understanding Language week 1.

I did this by getting my hands on various grammar books and working my way through them while testing myself. Certainly, this ongoing period of study greatly nourished my understanding of the construction of the english language, but I am still no expert on english grammar - I know enough to get by and seek out assistance when necessary.

One of the complaints of the grammar sticklers out there is that the UK's teaching on grammar in the education system is atrocious and, being mostly illiterate for much of my schooling life, I can agree with this statement. 

"To understand the rules, it is necessary to learn some of the words used in discussing grammar. Much of grammar is not taught in schools in Britain today, or is taught badly and unenthusiastically. Even those who were taught grammar at school have often forgotten most of it" 

- Bernard C. Lamp, The Queen's English, 2012:13.

This lack of understanding in regards to the english language is probably also the reason for why the UK has such an abysmal second language learning rate.

Notes from Understanding Language week 1.

Therefore, the point I am trying to make is that the only way I can apply the understanding of meaning in regards to a language is to apply that understanding to a language I already know, which is english, but If I do not fully understand the lexical, sentence, grammatical and pragmatic meaning of the english language, how can I ever hope to get my teeth into learning another language?

Notes on the Bottleneck Hypothesis from Understanding Language week 1.

Fortunately, I do mostly understand english, but if I am really serious about learning another language, then in addition to laying the theoretical groundwork of language learning in advance, I also need to be in a position where I am fully confident with my native language in both writing and the spoken word. 

Do you take my meaning?

I know how to speak english and I know english grammar - I know how to create, convey and manipulate meaning in the english language.

But I do not necessarily understand all of the mechanics behind how I am able to convey lexical, sentence, grammatical and pragmatic meaning in the english language.

"Learning the common rules of English can be very rewarding. It helps to have explained the reasons for what you may have been doing already; it can resolve doubts and uncertainties, and lead to correction of errors." 

- Bernard C. Lamb, The Queen's English, 2010:12.

Basically, I know the grammar, but I still do not know what is a 'verb' or a 'noun' or 'syntax'.

Seriously, I told you the education was pretty bad in this country!

Notes from Understanding Language week 1.

In my mind, there is an essential toolkit you need to possess when constructing your understanding of another language; it's a toolkit that you would have put together when learning your native language, but my toolkit is still incomplete.

Therefore, I have decided it is high time to fill those gaps, which is why I have started to work my through a previous grammar book I did not previously have time to intimately work my way through: The Queen's English by Bernard C. Lamb.

Regardless of what language you are utilising, its meaning is useless if your underlying knowledge does not understand how to take it or how to use it.


Up next...

Classrooms and Technology - Understanding Language - Weeks 2&3 reflection #FLlanguage #MOOC

Current MOOCs as of 17/11/2014

I am still in the process of reconfiguring this blog into being a study log, so things are still a bit all over the place. Additionally, it does not help that I thrive on diving into multiple focuses at the same time.

However, as of 17/11/2014, the MOOCs I am actively studying are:

Internet History, Technology and Security (5 weeks left)
Introduction to Cyber Security (3 weeks left)
Origins - Formation of the Universe, Solar System, Earth and Life (4 weeks left)
Understanding Languages: Learning and Teaching (5 weeks left)

Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching MOOC - Commencement #FLlanguage

I have just started a new 4 week MOOC.

As language learning is something that is very much on my projected agenda, I have been quite keen to lay the conceptual and theoretical groundwork well in advance and the Understanding Language MOOC seems like the perfect place to start...

Academic Integrity: Values, Skills, Actions MOOC - completion reflection #FLintegrity

The Academic Integrity MOOC as hosted on FutureLearn is very much aimed at students about to undertake undergraduate study and it certainly lays down the dos and don'ts in regards to academic integrity much more effectively than the teaching on my undergraduate degree. 

In addition to laying down all of the required practices of Academic Integrity, there is an illustrative narrative that runs its way through the MOOC's content that will allow a student to easily identify with the dilemmas considered.

It is stretching itself as a 4 week course, I managed to work my way through it in 5 days and, If I had cleared the time, I could easily have started and finished the MOOC in a single day. 

Therefore, this MOOC will serve as a very useful resource for anyone preparing to undertake university study or who is already enrolled in it. 

Some of my notes on academic integrity.

I enrolled on the Academic Integrity MOOC as I felt it could provide me with some useful resources in regards to the self-help study guide I am currently writing and, while its overall content was territory I had already covered in my BA (Hons), I can see that the reference section at the end of the MOOC will prove to be invaluable.

Overall, a very concise and informative MOOC that will serve any student very well.

Ways #2Learn: expanding my focus by expanding this blog's focus

I am finding that my creative entrepreneurial practice and self-directed postgraduate study is proving to be vastly more beneficial and fulfilling than a pre-arranged master's degree. Therefore, for the time being, I am staying off the conventional path, while I continue to explore the wilderness.

When I first started this blog and its research focus I described it as being something new and fantastic.

But is it actually something new and fantastic?

I don't know.

But from my point of view it is, because this overall project-and-blog-thing is very much tied up with my larger personal development aims, so naturally I have a great deal of enthusiasm invested in the overall focus of Ways 2 Interface.

Recently, mainly due to various pieces of equipment failing me, my childhood interest in electronics has been revived. More on this later...

This blog started its life as a research focus extension of the concerns of my First Class BA (Hons) in Creative Writing with Film and Screen Studies and, in particular, the focuses of my two final year dissertations: EYES (practical dissertation) and Ways of Being: The Spectator and the Spectacle (award-winning theoretical dissertation). 

Hence, the name of this blog: Ways 2 Interface a.k.a. Round 2.

Welcome #2Interface - my original intention for this blog (you don't have to read it).

However, the initial focus of just presenting my extended research and considerations never felt quite right - it always felt incomplete. After essentially writing another dissertation spread across the first four posts of this blog, I decided to reassess its situation and where exactly I stood in regards to my academic interests.

Why #2Interface: expanding my focus + focusing my interests = mastering the enterprising researcher - my reassessment of this blog and its focus (again, you do not need to read this).

Ultimately, this project was always building towards a master's degree in Creative Technologies and Enterprise that I was very interested in undertaking (there is still a huge maybe hanging over this) and, when I reassessed the situation in regards to my postgraduate education, it occurred to me what was really missing from this blog - MOOCs!

The many different MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) I had undertaken throughout the later of 2013 and the full breadth of 2014. 

Follow Peter's board MOOC-tastic on Pinterest.

MOOC-tastic - a pinterest board collecting together the many MOOCs I have and I am enrolled upon.

From the many different disciplines of the MOOCs I have studied, it is clear to see that I have a hybrid focus that extends far beyond the creative writing and film focus of my BA (Hons).

Basically - my MOOCs, the vast swathes of time they have eaten up and the reflections they have nurtured me to produce on various different aspects of my overall education and creative application - are very much an expression of my expanded hybrid focus.

I had to replace some of the components in my computer monitor and I also used the previous power board (top center) to generate a new background for this blog.

Additionally, I am finding that my creative entrepreneurial practice and self-directed postgraduate study is proving to be vastly more beneficial and fulfilling than a pre-arranged masters degree. Therefore, for the time being, I am staying off the conventional path, while I continue to explore the wilderness.

Finally, why in sanity's name was I not talking about all of this and refining my focus even more so on this perfectly suited blog!

So I am now.

Welcome #2interface.

Ways #2Learn: expanding my focus by expanding this blog's focus

I am finding that my creative entrepreneurial focused practice and self-directed postgraduate study is proving to be vastly more beneficial and fulfilling than a pre-arranged masters degree. Therefore, for the time being, I am staying off the conventional path, while I continue to explore the wilderness.

When I first started this blog and its research focus I described it as being something new and fantastic.

But is it actually something new and fantastic?

I don't know.

But from my point of view it is, because this overall project-and-blog-thing is very much tied up with my larger personal development aims, so naturally I have a great deal of enthusiasm invested in the overall focus of Ways 2 Interface.

Recently, mainly due to various pieces of equipment failing me, my childhood interest in electronics has been revived. More on this later...

This blog started its life as a research focus extension of the concerns of my First Class BA (Hons) in Creative Writing with Film and Screen Studies and, in particular, the focuses of my two final year dissertations: EYES (practical dissertation) and Ways of Being: The Spectator and the Spectacle (award-winning theoretical dissertation). 

Hence, the name of this blog: Ways 2 Interface a.k.a. Round 2.

Welcome #2Interface - my original intention for this blog (you don't have to read it).

However, the initial focus of just presenting my extended research and considerations never felt quite right - it always felt incomplete. After essentially writing another dissertation spread across the first four posts of this blog, I decided to reassess its situation and where exactly I stood in regards to my academic interests.

Why #2Interface: expanding my focus + focusing my interests = mastering the enterprising researcher - my reassessment of this blog and its focus (again, you do not need to read this).

Ultimately, this project was always building towards a masters degree in Creative Technologies and Enterprise that I was very interested in undertaking (there is still a huge maybe hanging over this) and, when I reassessed the situation in regards to my postgraduate education, it occurred to me what was really missing from this blog - MOOCs!

The many different MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) I had undertaken throughout the later of 2013 and the full breadth of 2014. 

Follow Peter's board MOOC-tastic on Pinterest.

MOOC-tastic - a pinterest board collecting together the many MOOCs I have and I am enrolled upon.

From the many different disciplines of the MOOCs I have studied, it is clear to see that I have a hybrid focus that extends far beyond the creative writing and film focus of my BA (Hons).

Basically - my MOOCs, the vast swathes of time they have eaten up and the reflections they have nurtured me to produce on various different aspects of my overall education and creative application - are very much an expression of my expanded hybrid focus.

I had to replace some of the components in my computer monitor and I also used the previous power board (top center) to generate a new background for this blog.

Additionally, I am finding that my creative entrepreneurial focused practice and self-directed postgraduate study is proving to be vastly more beneficial and fulfilling than a pre-arranged masters degree. Therefore, for the time being, I am staying off the conventional path, while I continue to explore the wilderness.

Finally, why in sanity's name was I not talking about all of this and refining my focus even more so on this perfectly suited blog!

So I am now.

Welcome #2interface.

Learning how to Learn #MOOC: Reflective Essay about a Learning Challenge

Currently I am undertaking the Learning how to Learn: powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects MOOC by UC San Diego that is hosted on Coursera and that I would highly recommend, I wish I had done this MOOC a year ago when I started my online studying!

As part of the course I have to submit two short essays. However, I missed the deadline for the first essay, I got the 1 day quiz extension deadline mixed up with the assessment deadline!

Anyway, I have decided to post that first essay on this blog. The essay is split across five question/sections and I have added a few illustrative items for anyone who is not aware of the Learning how to Learn course contents.

I have been thinking about using Ways 2 Interface to act as a reflection platform for my online/extended learning; especially considering I was going to use it to chronicle the research and study for the MSc I may be undertaking next September.

Basically, I am already won on the idea and more posts will follow, but for now here is a short essay about a balancing learning challenge I am in the process of overcoming...

1.   Briefly describe your current learning situation and goal (College sophomore aiming for a degree in language? High school student unsure of your future major but enjoying math and physics? Retired, in your mid-sixties and exploring the idea of learning something completely new?)

I am a recent graduate of Bath Spa University and now possess a First Class BA (Hons) in Creative Writing with Film and Screen Studies. I have been described as a “hybrid student”, as I possess interests in a wide array of fields that extend beyond the focus of my degree - everything from anthropology to entrepreneurship. Since graduating over a year ago, I have continued to expand my studying into these further fields via online learning and research.

I have been accepted onto a Masters program in Creative Technologies and Enterprise, but whether I undertake this MSc program will be determined by how much I achieve in my current studies and how I am putting that knowledge into practice.

Coming soon!

Ultimately, the goal of my current learning situation is concerned with nurturing my creative entrepreneurial temperament.

2. Briefly describe the learning aim that is of importance to you (it may be passing a particular class, excelling in a particular degree program, or something outside school, such as mastering culinary expertise).

Working for myself and making a living based around my passions.

While I enjoy learning and discovering new things, the point of all this extended learning I am currently undertaking is less concerned with mastering each subject and more focused on nurturing my overall creative thinking.

Increasingly, technology is making people redundant in “traditional” career roles; only this month, Tim Berners-Lee speculated:

“Some things are going to completely disappear and obviously more boring jobs go first. As computers get smarter it’s possible that they start to take some of the things we used to find more interesting – creating drugs, for instance, and certainly for now the boring bits of doing your taxes. The important thing is we find ways for people to do the exciting creative fun jobs that never existed before” (Berners-Lee in Warman, M. 'Computers are getting smarter. We’re not' [online]. Available from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/11148220/Berners-Lee-Computers-are-getting-smarter.-Were-not.html)

In today’s and tomorrow’s world, mastering one career focused craft is not enough, not by a long shot. 

I am not saying that you have to know everything, but certainly being in a position where you can create your own opportunities by utilising your creative thinking is not something to be either scoffed at or intimidated by – it is what livelihoods will be built upon. Increasingly, it is also something that education has to get to grips with encouraging in students!

Therefore, you could say that my learning aim is to unlearn traditional practices or at least to develop the aptitude to approach them with a critical eye and creatively rethink them where necessary.

3. Describe your biggest mental challenges in achieving your learning aim

Balance – focussed mode with the diffuse mode.

The lecture on focused and diffuse modes from the MOOC.

I am always juggling multiple subjects and that is fine, but only when you give each subject its time, its place and its appropriate attention.

I do not have time to trawl through every detail and I have to avoid the urge of over-indulging myself too much when studying one particular area. However, I also have to ensure that I spend time away from studying.

Power naps are good reboots for the brain.

Ultimately, this one is about disciplining myself to ensure that I do not get too carried away, but equally that I allow time and space for myself to get carried away – balancing the focused attention with the diffuse state.

4. Outline existing research or learning techniques from this course that are relevant to your challenges.

Existing research

Mlodinow, L. Subliminal: The New Unconscious and What it Teaches Us. London: Penguin Books.

Collecting together the new discoveries of neuroscience, Dr Mlodinov paints a radically up-to-date image of how the human brain actually functions.

“Conscious thought is a great aid in designing a car or deciphering the mathematical laws of nature, but for avoiding snake bites or cars that swerve into your path or people who may harm you, only the speed and efficiency of the unconscious can save you. As we’ll see, to ensure our smooth functioning in both the physical and the social world nature has dictated that may processes of perception, memory, attention, learning, and judgement are delegated to brain structures outside conscious awareness” (Mlodinov, 2012:18).

If you can provide yourself with an overview of how the human brain actually works, on a psychological and neurobiological basis, you will stop expecting impossible things of it. The odds are you will become more effective at exploiting its inherent working methods in any endeavour.

Working my way through Subliminal had much the same effect as watching the lectures by Dr Sejnowski in this MOOC; in particular the week 2 lecture: What motivates you?

Ultimately, I found my attitudes and preconceptions about my working habits changing. The biggest lesson I took from Subliminal is not to consciously tax my brain so much and the content of this MOOC has only back up that assertion even more so!

Your brain works at its best when you get it consciously focused and then let it be unconsciously diffuse.

Foer, J. Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything. London: Penguin Books.

Adopting a personal narrative, science journalist Joshua Foer embarks on an exploration into the processes underpinning human memory; while simultaneously adopting this knowledge to train himself for US Memory Championship – an event he ultimately wins.

“memory training is a form of mental workout. Over time, like any other form of exercise, it’ll make the brain fitter, quicker, and more nimble. It’s an idea that dates back to the very origins of memory training. Roman orators argued that the art of memory – the proper retention and ordering of knowledge – was a vital instrument for the invention of new ideas” (Foer, 2011:12).

As with understanding how the overall human brain works, understanding how it actually absorbs and retains information is equally paramount if you want to become a successful learner. Quite a few of the learning techniques touched on in this MOOC are explored in the book – especially chunking. However, visualisation – converting information into striking interior visuals - is another key technique:

“The more vivid the image, the more likely it is to cleave to its locus. What distinguishes a great mnemonist, I was learning, is the ability to create these sorts of lavish images on the fly, to paint a scene so unlike any that has been seen before that it cannot be forgotten. And to do it quickly.” (Foer, 2011:100).

Visualisation Technique

Successful memorisation of information involves a great deal of conscious and unconscious creativity – in the same way that you always forget things, reading a book or just watching a lecture is not enough to retain information. This is the key lesson I took from Moonwalking with Einstein and have increasingly been adopting in my everyday life.

Remembering that it is also impossible for your brain to remember everything is another key lesson that I took from the book!

Learning techniques from this course

Pomodoro technique – I had previously not known about this technique, but instantly adopted it after watching its respective lecture. I have already noticed an improvement in my productivity. Adopting this technique has allowed me to schedule essential diffuse downtime into my daily schedule.

Chunking and interleaving – continuing to utilise chunking makes absolute sense if I am going to be focused in 25 minute bursts and interleaving these chunks will make those 25 minute bursts even time effective, as I do criss-cross between various different subjects and disciplines on a daily basis; in fact, a number of times already I have noticed myself using knowledge from one discipline to illustrate something from another, such as with neuroscience and narratology.

Ultimately, the research I have previously examined and the content of this MOOC have shown me, with a great deal testimony, that it really does pay to stop working your so consciously hard all of the time.

Find balance and you will find success.

5. Propose how you will apply research findings or learning techniques to help you overcome your challenges.

Practice. Reflection. Refinement.

Aside from the pomodoro technique, I have already put into practice the advice of my prior study and also the advice (so far) of this MOOC. However, just sticking to doing something the same way for too long can very easily make you become complacent and then you can become less effective, which is exactly why reflection is always key and why I always exercise it. In fact, the reason why I signed up to this MOOC was so that I could take a step back, reflect on my current learning situation and then refine my habits even more so. This MOOC has proven to be invaluable in that respect and look forward to the content of weeks 3 and 4.

However, understanding that the balancing of my focused and diffused states is not the problem. Consistently putting it into practice is not the problem, the problem is making it into a daily habit.

According to a study by psychology researcher Phillipa Lally:

Lally, P. (2009) ‘How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world’. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40 (6), PP.988-1000 [online]. Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674/abstract.

In order for a habit to become second nature, it can take anywhere between 60 to 240 days to successful form a new habit and to strengthen the respective neural connects in your brain.

Therefore, the solution to my challenge is simple – I just have to keep implementing the pomodoro technique on a daily basis and, through the course of doing so, my diffuse and focused states will become more and more intuitively balanced.

To build a muscle you have to tear it many times over, but in order for those tears to grow back stronger, you have to allow them time to repair. Additionally, in order to avoid getting stuck at a workout plateau, you have to keep reviewing and refining your approach.

Practice. Reflection. Refinement.

Anyhow, my 25 minutes are up now, I’m going to have a cup of tea…