Deliberate Learning Process
A. Identify your learning weaknesses
- What are the main concepts I just learned? [Memory Consolidation]
- Can I explain them in my own words?
- Can I relate them to things I already know (e.g. Set vs. Lists in Python)? How are they similar, different, and when should I use which?
B. Work on those weaknesses
- Put it into action through practice
- Rewatch or re-read
- Supplement what I learned with another source (i.e. if all else failed).
Brain Modes: Focus & Diffuse
Prepare Your Body
- Exercise
- Foods rich in healthy fats (e.g. eggs, nuts, avocado, etc.)
- Caffeine in mid day
Prepare Your Mind
- Focus vs. Diffuse: 1 hr for 15 min, or 25 min for 5 min.
Prepare Your Space
- Turn off distractions (e.g. cellphone, notifications, etc.)
- Turn off programs you don’t need
- Clean work space
- Wear headphones to isolate yourself
Learn something new before bed. Brain’s best diffuse work is while you’re sleeping.
Deliberate Learning Process
Identify your learning weaknesses
What are the main concepts / ideas / facts I just learned? This act of recall helps your memory get stronger.
Can you explain those concepts in your own words? Write this down in a journal, in a document, or even in a Treehouse workspace.
Can you relate those concepts to things you already know? Compare and contrast with similar concepts you already know: how are they similar or different. This adds meaning to what you’ve learned based on things you already understand.
Work on those weaknesses
Put what you just learned into action. Try to write code similar to what you just learned, or build something new based on the concepts you’re trying to grasp. Check out our Library of Practice material to see if there’s a practice session that matches what you’re trying to master.
Re-watch or redo with purpose. Think about the three questions under the Identify your learning weaknesses section above as you re-watch the material. Be deliberate in trying to answer those questions — even stop the video to take notes.
Supplement what you learned with another source. Use links to resources in the teacher’s notes, reference sites for the language you’re learning or just Google to find out more. Sometimes it just takes a slightly different explanation to understand a challenging concept.
Look to our Treehouse community for help.
Don’t give up! The best learning isn’t easy — the more you work at it, the better and more deeply you learn.
Resources
Focus Your Mind, Improve Your Learning
Prepare Your Body
- Exercise
- Foods rich in healthy fats, such as eggs, nuts, and avocado
- Caffeine in mid day
Prepare Your Mind
- Focus and Diffuse: 1 hour for 15 minutes. Or use the Pomodoro technique.
Prepare Your Space
- Turn off cellphone/notifications
- Disable the internet
- Turn off programs you don’t need
- Clean work space
- Wear headphones to isolate yourself
Learn something new before bed. Brain’s best diffuse work is while you’re sleeping.
Prepare your body
Exercise: exercise pumps oxygen to our brain, and can even generate new neurons.
Food: healthy fats like eggs, nuts and avocado energizes and increases production of neurotransmitters in your brain.
Caffeine: use it carefully. Exercise can be a better way to wake up in the morning.
Prepare your Mind
Mix focused and diffused modes. Your brain wants roughly an hour of focus and 15 minutes of diffused activity.
Try the Pomodoro Technique to help you create a pattern of focus and break times.
Decide exactly what you want to focus on, before diving into focus mode.
Prepare your space
Turn off distractions: no cellphone, close unneeded applications and notifications on your computer.
Find a quiet space to work (if possible).
Wear headphones: noises can be distracting. Try listening to nature sounds, white noise, or music without lyrics.
How to Learn
https://teamtreehouse.com/library/how-to-learn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5lFGQk5zbE&list=WL&index=17&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVmMbMa3ncI&list=WL&index=21&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkm0TNFzIeg&list=WL&index=22&t=8s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqYmmZKY4sA&list=WL&index=23&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlJdMr3O5J4&list=WL&index=24&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7nW3wQ3j5Y&list=WL&index=12&t=0s
Brain Fatigue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6onQw3hWGg&list=WL&index=15&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbgqFQjT6wo&list=WL&index=14&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ5rNNgHb3w&list=WL&index=11&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs3r19kcRNQ&list=WL&index=15&t=0s
How to Memorize
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI96Ph-yHcA&list=WL&index=18&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nFkQ4cQhME&list=WL&index=19&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REeROakzwfU&list=WL&index=20&t=0s
Time Management
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEZy-wlkX_M&list=WL&index=7&t=3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR4gaM6PZLw&list=WL&index=8&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hee4lbyoSuU&list=WL&index=9&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7nW3wQ3j5Y&list=WL&index=10&t=2s