Goals

1. Describe fundamentals in the context of learning.

2. When you are learning X, skillfully identify and learn each fundamental such that you become competent with X.

What?

In the context of learning, a fundamental is something that is essential for learning a topic or skill.

Let X = anything that can be learned: race-car driving, fiction writing, accounting, plumbing, chemistry, parenting, wine-making, driving a semi, critical thinking, and so on.

If you learn the fundamentals of X, then you will be competent.

If you are competent with X, then you have learned the fundamentals.

That is, the fundamentals of X are necessary and sufficient for competence with X.

Examples

Chemistry

• The structure of the atom
  
• Chemical bonding
  
• Balancing chemical equations
  
• The periodic table
  
• States of matter
  
• Chemical reactions
  
• Acids and bases
  
• Stoichiometry

Thai Cooking

• Balancing sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors
  
• Preparing curry pastes
  
• Using fresh herbs (e.g., lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime)
  
• Cooking jasmine rice and sticky rice
  
• Stir-frying techniques
  
• Making soups like Tom Yum and Tom Kha
  
• Grilling meats and seafood with marinades

Statistics

• Descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, range)
  
• Probability theory
  
• Random variables and distributions
  
• Hypothesis testing
  
• Confidence intervals
  
• Sampling methods
  
• Correlation and regression
  
• Chi-square tests
  
• Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
  
• Central limit theorem

Algebra

• Understanding variables and expressions
  
• Solving linear equations
  
• Graphing on the coordinate plane
  
• Working with inequalities
  
• Factoring polynomials
  
• Solving quadratic equations
  
• Exponents and powers
  
• Rational expressions
  
• Systems of equations
  
• Functions and their notation

Golf

• Grip, stance, and posture
  
• Swing mechanics
  
• Putting technique
  
• Chipping and pitching
  
• Club selection
  
• Reading the green
  
• Course strategy
  
• Sand bunker shots
  
• Rules of golf
  
• Golf etiquette

Critical Thinking

• Identifying arguments and conclusions
  
• Recognizing assumptions
  
• Evaluating evidence
  
• Detecting logical fallacies
  
• Distinguishing fact from opinion
  
• Understanding bias
  
• Making inferences
  
• Clarifying definitions
  
• Considering alternative viewpoints
  
• Forming well-reasoned judgments

Rationale

Here are some reasons why skill with fundamentals is worthwhile.

1. You always have a path for learning. Figure out what the fundamentals are and then progressively learn each one.

2. You always have a path for teaching. Figure out what fundamentals are and then guide your students such that then effectively learn them.

3. If you learn the fundamentals, you will become competent. Otherwise, you will not gain competence.

4. Minimize the time and effort needed to learn.

Learning with Fundamentals (How To)

Principles

1. Anything that can be learned has fundamentals.
2. These fundamentals can be identified.
3. These fundamentals can be learned and taught.

Framework

1. For topic X, figure out what the fundamentals are.

2. Progressively learn each one.