Cognitive Post

Question #1. Why is online gaming so popular? Are there drawbacks to being engaged in these activities? Do you think they offer opportunities for learning or are they just passive pastimes?

• I think online gaming is so popular now because of how far graphics have come since when we were younger, how they have become more engaging, and also the fact that technology is much more accessible today than it has ever been. I think some of the drawbacks that come from them are that kids become very dependent on them and some start acting out these games in real life such as the dances that are found in the game Fortnite and it can cause a distraction. I think that you can definitely find opportunities in these games, but you just have to search and do research to make sure they are educational and serve a purpose. I think it is also important to limit the screen time, so kids don’t become dependent on them.

Question #2. How do you manage your study schedule when faced with doubt about your capacity to engage, learn, and succeed?

• When I feel myself disengaging from a reading or an assignment, I make sure that I give myself some sort of break, even if it is as small as 10 minutes. The reason for this is because once I stop really engaging, I don’t retain the information as well and find myself re-reading the material over and over again. If I give myself a small break, I find my mind to be more refreshed and I retain the information much better. Sometimes time does get away from me so I try to remind myself the amount of time I am giving myself to relax.

Questions #3. What do you do to help yourself remember new things? For example, do you create concept maps to link connected ideas? Share some of your ideas.

• I am a very big visual learner when comes to learning in general, but especially when it is a brand-new topic. I need to be able to read something after hearing it and see that I retain it even better when I write it down. I usually put what I read into my own words so I remember it better and if I can draw a comparison from another topic, I put a side comment such as “this is like _____”