Information overload

Session one Information overload LO: what strategies might help my brain to function better in the exam?

The amazing human brain The human brain is an extremely complex yet powerful tool. There are different areas of the brain and each one is responsible for certain things, such as movement, emotions, storing memories and processing new information. Studies of the brain have shown that there are certain things that can help the brain function at its best. • The suggestions in this session are based upon: • the belief that the brain stores things in networks • performance is maximised when parts of the brain connect • the more real something feels the more we engage • emotions and feelings stimulate memories and thinking • images provide clearer associations than words • active engagement with date increases familiarity

Question one Here is part of a price list for a fruit and vegetable stall Price List Fruit: Apples 30p each Bananas 25p each Oranges 20p each Vegetables: Broccoli 75p per 100g Carrots 20p per 100g Cauliflower £1 per 100g We should eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day. A portion is an item of fruit or 100g of vegetables. Dita has £10 to spend on fruit and vegetables for one week. She wants to buy at least two different fruits and two different vegetables. Show one way of buying fruit and vegetables so that she has 5-a-day for one week.

Tip one Re-present the information • It may help you to represent the information that you are given: • re-arrange the information so that it looks different • add steps and stages to help you absorb the details • a quick sketch might help your brain make sense of the information I want at least two different bits We should eat 5 fruit or veg a day I can spend £10 a week One portion = 1 piece or 100g Show one way of buying fruit and vegetables so that you have 5-a-day for one week

Question two Here are instructions for cooking a turkey Cook for 15 minutes at 220C Reduce the over temperature to 160C and cook for 40 minutes per kilogram Kirsty is going to cook a 7 kilogram turkey She wants to take it out of the oven at 12.45pm. At what time must she start to cook it?

Tip two Personalise the situation • Personalising the information is likely to help you take it in better: it will mean more to you because it seems more real! • include your name or people that you know particularly well • make any situation or scenario more realistic (and therefore vivid) My guests arrive at 12.45pm? I want a massive 7kg cake! What time must I start my cake to have it ready in time?

Question three In a school there are 800 students and 70 teachers. 10% of the students are left handed. 20% of the teachers are left handed. How many left-handed students and teachers are there altogether?

Tip three Use pictures • Creating imaginative pictures in your mind or on the page may help you to understand the information and what is required. • be as creative as possible with the images you think up • include colours, movement and other aids to make pictures vivid 1. Anywhere School has 800 students and 70 teachers L. R. 2. 10% of students left handed 3. 20% of teachers right handed How many left-handed students and teachers are there?

Your turn Activity: Choose one of the example questions and work out an imaginative way of making it easier to understand.

Here is a list of some TV programmes for one day. 13 30 News 13 45 Doctors 14 10 Escape to the country 15 05 Cbeebies 15 15 Gigglebiz 15 35 Jakers 15 55 Shaun the sheep 16 05 Dani’s house Caroline wants to record Cbeebies and Jakers onto a DVD. How many minutes of recording time does she need?

Here are details of Jora’s expenditure last year. 30% of his salary on rent 2/5 of his salary on entertainment 1/4 of his salary on living expenses He saved the rest of his salary. Jora spent £3600 on living expenses. Work out how much money he saved.

Information overload