Like coding learning must follow the right algorithm

If you don’t like learning don’t become a developer. Essentially, that is the job we do. We solve problems by learning. Sometimes we have a good idea of how to solve it. Other times we are guessing.

That leads to the question, how can I learn better? That is different for each of us. There is no one-size-fits-all. Of course, there are some basics we need to know.

Reflect

How do you like learning? You would like to work it out. Developers love to get their hands on the code. Others like to get a basic principle mastered and then move to the more advanced stuff. Reflect on how you have succeeded in the past.

Questions

Ask yourself a few questions. First, after studying something, ask “What did you learn?” Try to summarize the key points. Create a notecard with the information.

Next, How did you learn it? Did you just read about it? Or did you work through some example code? For instance, I enjoy watching videos and reading too.

Quiz

One of the best tips for learning something is to quiz yourself. This is detailed in How We Learn. After you study something get away from it. Walk outside. Then come back and ask yourself, “What is the big idea?”

Interleave

As you begin to master your content mix up the topics. In Make it Stick, they call this interleaving. Don’t just focus on one topic. Mix multiple parts of what you are learning together.

Teach

If I told you tomorrow you will teach this you will pay attention. Once you think you understand something try to teach it to a co-worker. See what questions they ask. Feedback like this can point to improvements.

Schedule

Lastly, put your learning on the calendar. Jim Kwik shares in Limitless, that what gets scheduled gets done. If you think I will learn someday it will never happen. I like to do some learning over my lunchtime. It gives my mind something different to think about.

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