Definition

Effective learning (EL) is a method of learning that is defined by its actions and its rewards.

The set of actions used in EL are {defining a goal state, breaking the goal state down into appropriate subgoals, getting good information about how to reach a subgoal, applying this information in the real world, getting feedback, and so on.} In the lessons in the Effective Learning BookCourse, I’ll present the actions in detail.

The set of rewards that one gets from applying the EL method skillfully are {learning is so enjoyable as to be addictive; competence with the thing you are learning; least effort/hassle/cost/time; confidence that you can learn anything, and so forth}.

EL is my way of explaining deliberate practice. I also call it brain-based learning because it based on my understanding of the biological basis of learning which is neuroplasticity. I typically use the label “Effective Learning” as opposed to deliberate practice because I introduce ideas about motivation, writing, rewards, and so on that I have not seen discussed in Professor Anders Ericsson’s scholarly articles.

Why EL Works

EL works because the biological basis of learning is the correct types of repetition, aka deliberate practice. Correct repetitions means that the brain cells connect in ways that give the learner the ability to do useful things—aka, performance—and the ability to remember and recall useful information, aka, knowledge.

Rationale for Using the EL Method

Here are some reasons for using the EL method.

1. The method works in all contexts: on-the-job, learning a sport, college classes, group learning.

2. The same method is use for both teaching and learning.

3. The same method works for people and across cultures because it is based on how the brain works.

4. The rewards that arise from the method—competence, super-enjoyable learning, least-effort, confidence, and so on—make the method worthwhile.

How to Apply the EL Method

Learning begins with a problem. A problem is a gap between conditions right now and conditions as we would like them to be.

Let the “present state” refers to conditions as they exist right now. Similarly, let the conditions as we’d like them to be in the future after the learning is done be referred to as the “goal state.” To be motivated, the learner needs to see the gap and believe that the effort to close the gap is worthwhile and believe that the gap can be closed.

The EL method starts with writing down the goal state in a way that is measurable. Typically, the goal state

identify a gap that can be closed by learning something and that is worth closing in the sense that the benefits exceed the costs.

Write down a goal state that describes the conditions that will apply after the learner is finished learning.

While performance and knowledge are developing:

1. Select the most useful subgoal to pursue next; then, do the following.
   1. Get good information relevant to attaining the subgoal. Figure this info out, and document it in your own words.
   2. Apply this information in the real world with five essential fundamentals.
      • Imitation: Mimic was skilled people do.
        
      • Application: Apply this informations in the real world. Pay attention to your actions, thoughts, and feelings. Do not judge what you are doing as good or bad.
      • Feedback/Improvement: Get information that helps you improve performance; apply this to improve knowledge or performance.
      • Measurement: Measure how close you are to reaching the conditions described by the subgoal. If have not yet attained the subgoal, move on a new subgoal or to subgoal is progress.
2. Repeat step 1 with the various subgoals.

Most people have their preferred way of learning or teaching. However, some are open to considering a method that might work better. With this in mind, I want to share a method that I call effective learning that is based on how the human brain works.

Learning

Learning is the process of neural transformation that causes improved knowledge or improved performance.

All learning involves changes in the brain; in particular, both people and animals rewire their brain when they learning.

These brain changes are brought about by repetitions. For example, if a basketball player practices free throws with the right fundamentals, they become good at this skill. For example, if an engineer practices explaining and applying statistics, they become good at statistics.

This definition is explained in more detail in Learning.

Effective Learning (What)

Effective learning or EL is a method for learning that any learner or teacher can apply. Of course, a teacher is any person in a teaching role: parent, manager, professor, team leader, mentor, coach, K12 teacher, and so forth.

While EL provides many rewards, in my opinion, the best of these rewards are:

1. Learning is super enjoyable, basically addictive. Similarly, teaching is super enjoyable and rewarding.

2. The learner becomes competent; the method is reliable.

3. Minimum amounts of effort, time, hassles, struggle, and so on for the learner and the teacher.

EL (How To)

In general, a method is a set of actions that lead to a set of rewards.

The EL method itself consists of these actions.

1. Long-Term Goal: Set a goal that describes what the learner will know and be able to do after they are done learning.

2. Subgoals: If the goal is too big for the learner, and it nearly always is, break it down into appropriate subgoals and apply deliberate practice to pursue attainment of each subgoal.

3. Deliberate Practice (Spaced Repetitions): Move towards and eventually reach a subgoal by using spaced repetitions of getting information and applying it in context.

The heart of EL is deliberate practice, which involves learning via spaced repetitions of getting information and applying it. Deliberate practice can be described as follows.

1. Subgoal. Describe the conditions that will exist for the learner after the learning is done.

   1. Knowledge: What will the learner be able to explain, teach or describe?

   2. Performance: What will the learner be able to do skillfully? How well?

2. Spaced Repetitions: While knowledge and performance are being developed, take the following actions. Note:

   1. Research: Get good information that is relevant to reaching the subgoal. Figure it out.

   2. Application: Apply this information in the real world with four essential elements

   a. **Imitation**: Copy or imitate skilled people.
   
   b. **Feedback**: Get information that tell you how to improve.
   
   c. **Growth**: Improve knowledge or skills in ways that are relevant to reaching the subgoal.   
   
   d. **Rewards**: Get rewards, most of which are
   intrinsic,  than make you want to learn some more.

   3. Take a break of four hours, a day, a week, or longer. Then, repeat the previous action. Note: The spacing between cycles increases with time.