Sunday, January 16, 2011

Wetware - My learning schema

Inspired by SQ3R learning method described in Refactor Your Wetware. Here is the learning method that works best for my humble person:
  •  acquire learning resources about the topic you want to learn. Buy books, download articles, podcasts, Youtube videos, search in Google Reader and so on.
  • create survey based on the acquired learning resources. Read tables of contents, articles leads, etc. At this point try to specify what do you want to learn (specific objectives).
  • read the content of the resources. How one gets to Carnegie Hall? Meta-learning techniques is the one thing, but you actually have to acquire the knowledge. Read, read and read once again.
  • ask yourself inquiring questions about the content (and write them down). Be courious while reading. Be hunger for the answers. Write down all your doubts that occur during the lecture. Asking the right questions is the form of learning as well.
  • rephrase the content (and answer the questions). Process what you've just read. Try to apply the facts to the questions you asked before.
  • summarize the questions and answers - then write them down.
  • iterate from the first step again if you want to become even better in the topic. 
Key activities regarding the learning process above:
  • asking questions
  • trying to identify the most specific objectives of the learning process
  • reading (listening to) the resources
  • answering your own questions using the rephrased expressions
  • writing down the questions and answers

2 comments:

  1. Wonderful book (Refactor Your Wetware), I enjoyed especially chapter about S.M.A.R.T. objectives. Great reading after "hard" technical books.

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  2. SMART chapter is a good one. Brilliant book in general. Very inspiring. I read few pages and think about them for an hour :)

    I must also recommend another book from Pragmatic Bookshelf - "Passionate Programmer". It's the second edition of "My job went to India".

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