Fundamentals of Learning

Introduction

Learning Using Fundamentals explains how to learn by breaking down a subject into its fundamentals and then progressively learning each one.

This page summarizes the fundamentals of learning.

Learning: Learning is the process of changing the brain to improve knowledge and performance. All learning is biological.
Rationale for Learning: Learning equips actors (people and groups) to get what they most want and avoid or minimize what they don’t want. Thus, learning is the best way to make your life better or make your group better.
Best Method for Learning: Deliberate Practice is the best way to learn because it is super enjoyable, you become competent, it has the fewest drawbacks, and is based on scientific research.

Learnable Topics (X): Just about anything can be learned. Let X be anything that can be learned. X can be subjects (chemistry, nutrition, calculus), professions (engineering, accounting, business, law, welding), the topics needed to solve a problem or reach a goal, the topics needed to effectively deal with stress, relationship problems, addiction, and such,

Purpose
Let X = anything that can be learned. The purpose of Deliberate Practice (DP) is to become skilled at X so that you can effectively do worthwhile and meaningful things.
Integrated Knowledge and Performance
DP builds skill by combining deep understanding (knowledge) with real-world effectiveness (performance).
- Performance Building is the process of improving how well you do something valuable—like swinging a golf club, solving problems, actively listening, marketing, or cooking.
- Knowledge Building is the process of developing more accurate, more connected, and deeper understanding of the ideas behind the skill.
Motivation for Learning
Learning is worth doing when the perceived and actual rewards clearly exceed the perceived and actual drawbacks. DP is designed to make this payoff high.
Positive Payoffs
DP is structured to deliver more rewards than drawbacks, leading to a consistently positive return on investment and a strong motivation to keep going.

Distributed Repetitions: Learn using systematic repetitions spaced out over time.
Analysis: Break X into its core components to understand and master each one.
Goals: Define what the learner will know and be able to do when learning is complete.
Measurement: Assess knowledge by asking learners to describe it; assess skill by observing task performance.
Imitation: Systematically and slowly imitate expert performance to build competence.
Feedback: Use targeted feedback to improve understanding and performance.

Neuroplasticity: The brain physically changes in response to repeated experiences.
Automaticity: With sufficient practice, tasks become effortless and require little conscious thought.
Habits: Learned patterns triggered by cues, involving actions and resulting in rewards.
Motivation: The drive to act, often based on anticipated rewards or avoidance of pain.
Emotions: Biologically-based reactions that influence attention, memory, and behavior.
Feelings: The conscious experience of emotions, which can help or hinder learning.
Memory: Memory is the brain’s ability to store, retain, and recall information or experiences over time.

Knowledge: Knowledge is accurate and useful information that is stored at some level in long term memory (LTM).

Performance: The ability to do tasks skillfully and efficiently.
Accomplishments: Meaningful outcomes produced through performance.
Healthy Habits: Automatic behaviors that support long-term well-being and success.
Enjoyable Journeys: Satisfaction and enjoyment experienced during the learning process.
Love of Subjects: A deep interest and appreciation for what is being learned.

What: A structured method of learning based on goal-setting, repetition, feedback, and challenge.
Why: It consistently leads to high levels of skill and understanding.
How: Engage in focused practice with clear goals, breakdowns, immediate feedback, and spaced repetition.