#385: Learning How to Learn

The Art of Manliness

Society & Culture, Education, Philosophy

4.7 • 14.5K Ratings

🗓️ 6 March 2018

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

When you study for a test or you’re trying to learn a new skill, what’s your typical approach? If you’re like most people, you might repeat facts over and over again or do the same task over and over again until you can do it in your sleep. While these brute force tactics might make you feel like you’re encoding new information into your brain, my guest today argues that you’re just fooling yourself. His name is Peter Brown, and he’s the co-author of the book Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Today on the show Peter and I discuss why typical approaches to studying might make it feel like you’re learning, but don’t actually work. We then delve into research-backed advice on how to really learn something and really retain it. Some of these insights are going to seem pretty counterintuitive. If you’re a student, someone who’s looking to become proficient in a new skill, or just dedicated to the idea of lifelong learning, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Brett McKay here and welcome to another edition of the Art of Manliness Podcast.
0:18.2	When you study for a test or you're trying to learn a new skill, what's your typical
0:21.5	approach?
0:22.5	If you're like most people, you might repeat facts over and over again or do the same
0:25.6	task over and over and over again until you can do it in your sleep.
0:28.6	While these brute force tactics might make you feel like you're encoding new information
0:32.1	your brain, my guest today argues that you're just fooling yourself.
0:35.0	His name is Peter Brown, and he's the co-author of the book Make It Stick, the Science of
0:38.6	Successful Learning.
0:39.6	Today on the show, Peter and I discussed why typical approaches to studying might make
0:42.9	it feel like you're learning, but don't actually work.
0:45.7	We then delve into research back advice on how to really learn something and really retain
0:49.5	it.
0:50.5	Some of these insights are going to seem pretty counterintuitive.
0:52.0	If you're a student, someone who's looking to become more proficient in new skill or
0:54.9	just dedicated to the idea of life along learning, this episode is packed with actionable advice
0:59.6	you don't want to miss it.
1:00.8	After the show's over, check out our show notes at aam.is slash Make It Stick.
1:04.7	Bring fine links to resources.
1:05.7	We can delve deeper into this topic.
1:07.7	And Peter joins me now via clearcast.io.
1:12.2	Peter Brown, welcome to the show.
	...

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