Benoit J - My mostly tech blog

Learning to Learn

Published on 2024-08-06

Categories: general
Tags: learning

Learning to learn is a necessary skill that takes time to master. With that skill developed, you can learn and become proficient in doing many things.

Here is a simplified version of how I learn:

  1. The sponge phase I document myself about a specific subject (documentation, blogs, books, YouTube, people. This phase is intense, kind of obsessive. At that phase, it’s about absorbing as much and as various information without thinking too much. I try to not make an opinion, I just absorb.
  2. The experiment phase At this phase, I try stuff. If it’s coding back-end, then I try to build couple of simple APIs, simple tests, simple integrations. If it’s home improvement, I may create mock-ups, try with scrap wood. I try to define small and specific learning objectives. I don’t create complete working POCs, but just small snippet of things. This phase starts before the end of the sponge phase, when I have enough information.
  3. The critics phase I look back at what I have learned, look back at my sources, and form my own opinion of what is good, bad. This is when I start to be critic of my sources, I trust no one. Lots of people forget this phase, and trust what they read, see, hear.

I apply this in most of my learning in my life, tech or not.

How do you learn?


craftering

For comments, use email or Mastodon

Don't forget to subscribe to my RSS feed!