Richard Feynman’s Simple Technique To Learn Any Subject Fast And On Deep Level
Cynthia McKanzie – MessageToEagle.com – There are child geniuses who can speak several different languages or master mathematics at a very early age.
Most of us, ordinary humans, must work hard to learn new subjects. As we get older our memory becomes more complex, tedious, and time-consuming than ever.
There are some tricks on how to keep brain healthy in older age, and it is scientifically proven that for example, music improves memory.
But what if we want to master unfamiliar subjects as quickly as possible? Is it really possible to learn something fast and on deep level? Richard Feynman (1918-1988), brilliant American theoretical physicist and Nobel Prize winner developed a simple, yet effective 4-steps technique that help our learning process.
Feynman understood the difference between “knowing something” and “knowing the name of something” and it’s one of the most important reasons for his success.
The Feynman Technique is not restricted to a specific subject, one can use it to learn anything.
Step 1: Explain it To A Child
Get a notebook and write down what you know about the subject you wish to learn.
Now, pretend you are explaining the subject not to a smart adult, but rather an 8-year-old who has just enough vocabulary and attention span to understand basic concepts and relationships.
The best result is accomplished if you can write down the topic and explain it at the same time, just like a teacher in school standing in front of a blackboard.
The benefit of this approach is that you cannot hide behind difficult technical terms which in reality do not even understand. This means you force yourself to to understand the subject at a deeper level and simplify relationships and connections between ideas. If you struggle, you have a clear understanding of where you have some gaps.
Step 2: Review Your Knowledge Gaps
In step 1, you most likely encountered knowledge gaps. Perhaps it was something you forgot, were unable to explain or simply didn’t understand yourself.
Once you have identified these knowledge gaps, go back to the source material and re-learn it until you can explain it in basic terms. In other words, keep repeating step 1 until there are no gaps anymore.
See also:
Your Memory Rewrites The Past Based On Present Experiences
Step 3: Organize and Simplify
At this point, you should have a complete, simple and clear explanation for your new subject that even a child can follow.
Organize your hand-crafted notes and review them. You can try and read them out loud. If the explanation isn’t simple or sounds confusing that’s a good indication that your understanding in that area still needs some work.
Step 4 (optional): Transmit
If you want to test if you master the subject, you can do step four. Explain the subject to a friend or family member. Try and pick a person who knows little about the subject. If there are things they do not understand and you are unable to explain it to them, it means there are still knowledge gaps you must fill in.
This is the Feynman Technique. It’s simple and effective. It’s a wonderful method of learning that opens a window into a different way of thinking.
If you try this, we wish you good luck!
Written by Cynthia McKanzie – MessageToEagle.com Staff Writer
Copyright © MessageToEagle.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of MessageToEagle.com
Expand for referencesRelated Posts
-
Herne The Hunter – The Horned God And Lord Of The Forest In British Mythology
No Comments | Jan 12, 2016
-
Why Is A Biscuit Named After Giuseppe Garibaldi – Italy’s Military Leader And Hero?
No Comments | Feb 19, 2017
-
El Niño And Its Effects On The Planet
No Comments | Jan 10, 2016
-
Unraveling The Secrets Behind Pope’s Mitre Shaped Like A Fish And The Dogon Connection
No Comments | Apr 9, 2017
-
Rarest Blood Types On Earth – How Unique Is Your Blood?
No Comments | Apr 19, 2017
-
The Egyptian Dream Book Reveals Ancient Predictions Of The Future
No Comments | Jul 28, 2014
-
Mysterious Number 137 May Unlock Great Secrets Of The Universe
No Comments | Nov 7, 2018
-
Historian Suggests Jack The Ripper Fled To Australia Where He Met His End
No Comments | Sep 10, 2016
-
Mystery Of Sid Hurwich And His Time-Altering Machine That Could ‘Freeze’ Time
No Comments | Oct 23, 2015
-
Gundestrup Cauldron: Great Gilded Silver Vessel Decorated With Scenes Derived From Celtic Mythology
No Comments | May 30, 2016