Multitasking and Listening to Music While Studying Not Helpful Habits
The balance of skill, will and resources along with understanding that learning basics doesn’t mean “doing is learning” are all part of the cognitive process Dr. Karla Lassonde seeks to share with students and colleagues when it comes to memory and attention.
Dr. Lassonde, a cognitive psychologist with the Department of Psychology at Minnesota State Mankato, offers a look inside the process of learning through the lens of memory and attention as featured speaker at the University’s 41st Annual Frontier Forum Lecture. The virtual lecture on Thursday, Oct. 29, is from 10 to 11:15 a.m.
See Preview Video Below.
The lecture sponsored by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is open to students, faculty and staff as well as the general public. Registration is required at sbs.mnsu.edu/frontier-forum.
In a preview of her upcoming lecture, Lassonde – whose course offerings include Learning for College Student Success – explores how youthful curiosity is replaced by standard teaching practices. By the time a student reaches college, learning can become a process of pleasing the professor rather than learning for self-advancement.
Students can cram or read and re-read notes and chapters only to face the frustration that the material hasn’t been absorbed. Adding to that are unhelpful learning practices such as multitasking or listening to music while studying.
Conducting ongoing research that compares students in areas of skill, will and resources, Lassonde finds that Minnesota State Mankato students remain in national average for skill and will to learn but fall below average in the use of learning resources.
A short preview of Dr. Lassonde’s application of the science of learning in understanding and enhancing memory and attention.
In her upcoming talk, Lassonde will discuss limits of attention and best strategies for long-term memory. Audience members will become participants by engaging in activities that test memory basics.
Exciting research in learning myths and the benefit of sleep for memory will be discussed. The audience will leave with strategies to apply to their learning.
For more information about the presentation visit sbs.mnsu.edu/frontier-forum or contact Lassonde at 507-389-5827 or karla.lassonde@mnsu.edu.
Lassonde has been a professor of cognitive psychology in the Psychology Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato for the past 13 years.
Lassonde conducts research on the fundamentals of thinking and memory with a team of undergraduates. She believes that research mentoring is the very best way to support students for overall success.
She served as the director for the Undergraduate Research Center from 2014-2017. Lassonde’s research focuses on methods for revising science misconceptions, knowledge change for controversial topics, and the LEARN method.
She also serves on editorial boards for flagship journals in the area of the Science of Teaching and Learning.
