Pragmatic Thinking and Learning

Provides information on ways to "refactor" one's brain to develop better cognitive skills.
This guide to pragmatic thinking for software developers and other knowledge workers concentrates on "wetware" (that is, your brain) and how to adopt new learning and thinking skills according to findings in cognitive science. Hunt, a best-selling author and computer programmer, uses innovative theories in neuroscience and behavioral theory to show how the brain can be retrained to think more effectively and efficiently. The Dreyfus model, R-mode and L-mode flows, harvesting patterns, SMART objectives and SQ3R approaches are also used to increase productivity and efficiency in a learning environment. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
The co-author of the bestselling "The Pragmatic Programmer" now conducts a journey tthrough bits of cognitive and neuroscience, learning, and behavioral theory.
Software development happens in your head. Not in an editor, IDE, or design tool. You're well educated on how to work with software and hardware, but what about wetware--our own brains? Learning new skills and new technology is critical to your career, and it's all in your head. In this book by Andy Hunt, you'll learn how our brains are wired, and how to take advantage of your brain's architecture. You'll learn new tricks and tips to learn more, faster, and retain more of what you learn. You need a pragmatic approach to thinking and learning. You need to Refactor Your Wetware. Programmers have to learn constantly; not just the stereotypical new technologies, but also the problem domain of the application, the whims of the user community, the quirks of your teammates, the shifting sands of the industry, and the evolving characteristics of the project itself as it is built. We'll journey together through bits of cognitive and neuroscience, learning and behavioral theory. You'll see some surprising aspects of how our brains work, and how you can take advantage of the system to improve your own learning and thinking skills. In this book you'll learn how to:Use the Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition to become more expertLeverage the architecture of the brain to strengthen different thinking modesAvoid common "known bugs" in your mindLearn more deliberately and more effectivelyManage knowledge more efficiently
The co-author of the bestselling "The Pragmatic Programmer" now conducts a journey tthrough bits of cognitive and neuroscience, learning, and behavioral theory.