Learning how to Learn
The Mental Model of Learning
Stage 0 unconscious unknown |
---|
Stage 1 conscious unknown |
Stage 2 conscious known |
Stage 3 unconscious known |
Stage 0 unconscious unknown |
---|
Stage 1 conscious unknown |
Ask Questions
Talk to experts
Take a step back and ask for context
Break down the sub-skills in an area
Stage 1 conscious unknown |
---|
Stage 2 conscious known |
To get to know a subject, you have to study it.
Understand the skill
Follow tutorials
Get a baseline understanding
Stage 2 conscious known |
---|
Stage 3 unconscious known |
Practice
Learn by Relating
How to gain understanding and pinpoint
areas you are struggling with
Write the name of the concept at the top of a blank piece of paper.
Write down an explanation of the concept on the page. Use plain English. Pretend you are teaching it to someone else (e.g a new student). This should highlight what you understand, but more importantly pinpoint what you don't quite know.
Review what you have pinpointed you don't know. Go back to the source material, re-read, and re-learn it. Repeat Step 2.
If you are using overly wordy or confusing language (or simply paraphrasing the source material) try again so you filter the content. Simplify your language, and where possible use simple analogy.
How to Teach someone
arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
for (i = 0; i < arr.length; i++) {
arr[i] = arr[i]*arr[i];
};
arr
//[1, 4, 9, 16, 25]
arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
arr.map((elem) => {
return elem * elem;
}
//[1, 4, 9, 16, 25]
var transformers = [
{
name: 'Optimus Prime',
form: 'Freightliner Truck',
team: 'Autobot'
},
{
name: 'Megatron',
form: 'Gun',
team: 'Decepticon'
},
{
name: 'Bumblebee',
form: 'VW Beetle',
team: 'Autobot'
}
];
robotsInDisguise = transformers.map((transformer) => {
return transformer.form;
});
// [ 'Freightliner Truck', 'Gun', 'VW Beetle' ]
Do this to every element in the array
You have an array of items and want to transform each of them. The result is a new array of the exact same length containing the manipulated items.
Search for:
Analogies - ELI5 <Topic>
Diagrams - Diagram <Topic>
Examples - Tutorial <Topic>
Plain English Explanation - Plain English <Topic>
Formal Definitions - <Topic> Wikipedia
It's better to admit you don't know something than to pretend like you get it. It helps no one in the end, and like a small lie that blows up to be a huge deal in a TV show, the longer you pretend you know something when you don't, the worse it gets.
I've always been ready to admit I don't know something. You probably hear me say this a lot.
Lean into the things you don't know. When reading/hearing about a phrase or idea you're not familiar with, make a note of it and spend some time learning about it.
You don't need to know everything about every topic.
When you hear a new buzzword or term, grab a technical book on that and read the first chapter. It usually includes a part on why you should learn it and what this technology gives you. It also tells you what it is.
Minimum Effective Dose to not be lost when you hear a certain idea.
Time commitment: 10-20 minutes of reading per topic.
Don't do something too similar. Use new topics to learn about the greater context.
Especially true in programming languages. If you know Ruby (OO, Dynamically Typed, Interpreted), try Go (OO, Static Type, Compiled), or Elixir (FP, Static Type, Compiled), but not Python, which is more similar
Let's you learn about the bigger picture of programming, not just another language
Server Side
Web App
Client Side
Web App
UX/Design/
Product
DBA
Infrastructure
Think of your challenges/frustrations at work as opportunities to learn
1. Volunteer for things you have no idea how to do. Ask if you can help out in things someone else is doing
2. Read your error messages and understand what it's trying to tell you. Ask questions about how this all fits in to the greater context.
Ask why a fix fixes the error you're having
Betterexplained.com
https://betterexplained.com/articles/adept-method/
ADEPT Method
Rapid Learner Course (OKTA)
https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/
Feynman Method
Holistic Learning
Going from Step 2 to Step 3:
Deliberate Practice
Peak: Secrets New Science of Expertise
https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/0544456238
The Food Lab
http://www.seriouseats.com/