The Basics of Learning Science: How to Learn Better

The science of how we learn effectively is well-researched and rooted in understanding how our brains form and strengthen neural pathways.

Let’s start with some basic neurology. Our minds are a circuit of wired neurons. When we activated the neurons, neural pathways are formed. 

These neural pathways allow us to recall information from areas of our brain. The stronger the neural pathways, the easier it is for us to recall information.

Learning involves both the recall of information and the ability to apply it within a mental model. Mental models are more than just recalling-they allow us to apply and integrate knowledge across different contexts, at the time when we need the knowledge. As we learn, mental models build in complexity allowing us to add more and more information.

Let me explain with an example. When I started programming, I learned what a variable was, how for loops work, and the basics of object oriented design. These are basic, foundational concepts. I embedded these concepts in my mind with strong neural pathways through repeated exposure to the information often through programming exercises or by working on a project.

Now as a more experienced programmer, I can readily recall these concepts. They’ve become a foundational mental model that I can layer other concepts on top of. Through repeated practice and application, neural pathways associated with these foundational programming concepts became more robust, allowing me to easily build upon them as I acquired more advanced skills.

Now that we understand the basic neurology, how do we create these neural pathways (ie. learn)?

When we consume new information through reading, watching a lecture or listening, the neural pathways begin to form (this happens because neurons fire in response to stimuli). This is the first step to learn something new but without further practice, the neural pathways will weaken.

The holy grail of learning is called retrieval practice. We want to quiz ourselves on what we learned. Doing so strengthens the neural pathways, making it easier for us to recall the information.

A “quizzing” practice must be a bit of a struggle. Struggle, in fact, is a hallmark of effective learning techniques (called in science “desirable difficulties”). 

Using the metaphor of muscle building, the neural pathways need to be exercised. We travel the neural pathways by having to recall the information. To put it another way, if you aren’t struggling, you are not learning. 

Paired with quizzing is a concept scientists call spaced repetition. Spaced repetition is simply the idea that we quiz ourselves regularly over a period of time instead of all at once. 

Harkening back to our days as students, this means cramming is not nearly as effective as giving ourselves a small quizzing doze every other day to master a concept. Spaced repetition is a technique to prevent forgetting as it refreshes the neural pathways just as they begin to weaken. 

Together, these two concepts retrieval practice and spaced repetition are the foundational ideas of learning science. 

I’m on a quest to learn how to apply these to my day to day learning approaches. Thanks for reading.