How to actually benefit from tutorials

Summary

In this video, Chris from Coding in Public explores why tutorials often fail to promote deep learning, introducing the concept of 'tutorial hell.' He explains that real learning happens in three stages: encountering errors, optimizing code, and teaching. Chris suggests that tutorials alone may not offer these stages, but they can be valuable when approached with three methods: the apprentice (repeating and tweaking), the scientist (experimenting and modifying), and the artist (creating before reviewing). These strategies help learners grasp concepts and foster real understanding. Chris encourages viewers to engage actively with tutorials to enhance their skills.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The term 'tutorial hell' describes the feeling of understanding during a tutorial but lacking actual comprehension once you try to apply the knowledge independently.
• 🤔 A common failure in tutorials is the lack of explanation behind the steps, leading to a false sense of understanding that evaporates when faced with real-world problems.
• 📚 Tutorials often test the teacher's ability to explain rather than the student's comprehension, which can be misleading.
• 🛠 The first stage of learning involves encountering errors and misunderstandings, which is crucial for identifying areas that need improvement.
• 🔧 The second stage of learning is optimizing code, which involves refactoring and making trade-offs to improve efficiency and functionality.
• 👨‍🏫 The third stage of learning is teaching, which requires a deep understanding of the material to effectively communicate it to others.
• 👨‍🎨 The 'artist' approach to tutorials involves attempting the task before watching the tutorial, allowing for a full cycle of learning through doing, optimizing, and teaching oneself.
• 🔬 The 'scientist' method involves actively modifying the tutorial steps to optimize the learning process and understand the underlying concepts more deeply.
• 👷 The 'apprentice' technique suggests following a tutorial closely and then repeating it independently to test and solidify understanding.
• 🎓 To truly benefit from tutorials, engage with them actively by applying the apprentice, scientist, and artist methods to enhance learning and comprehension.

Q & A

What are the three main questions Chris wants to address in the video?

Chris wants to address why tutorials don't always work, how learning actually happens, and whether there is any benefit to be gained from tutorials.

What is 'tutorial hell' as mentioned by Chris?

'Tutorial hell' refers to a situation where a learner feels like they understand a concept from a tutorial but realizes they don't truly understand it when they try to apply it independently.

Why might tutorials fail to effectively teach a concept, according to Chris?

Tutorials might fail because they sometimes lack the rationale behind the steps, only providing outcomes without explaining how things work, leading to a false sense of understanding.

How does Chris suggest that tutorials test the teacher rather than the learner?

Chris suggests that tutorials test the teacher's ability to explain a concept rather than the learner's comprehension because the learner might say 'I get it' due to the teacher's clarity, without actually testing their own understanding.

What are the three stages of learning that Chris describes?

The three stages of learning Chris describes are: 1) Hitting errors and learning from them, 2) Optimizing code, and 3) Teaching the concept to ensure deep understanding.

Why does Chris believe hitting errors is the first stage of real learning?

Chris believes hitting errors is the first stage of real learning because it points out the areas of misunderstanding, guiding the learner to focus on what they need to learn next.

What does Chris suggest as a method to optimize code during the learning process?

Chris suggests going back through the code once it's functioning properly to refactor, improve performance, or make necessary trade-offs, which helps in honing coding skills.

How does teaching a concept contribute to the learning process, as per Chris?

Teaching a concept ensures that the learner not only understands how something works but can also explain it to others, providing rationale and solutions, which solidifies their knowledge.

What are the three methods Chris suggests to get the most benefit out of tutorials?

The three methods Chris suggests are: 1) The apprentice method, where one follows the tutorial and then repeats it independently, 2) The scientist method, where one modifies parts of the tutorial to optimize learning, and 3) The artist method, where one attempts the task before watching the tutorial to experience all stages of learning.

How does the apprentice method help in learning from tutorials?

The apprentice method helps by allowing the learner to follow the tutorial first and then repeat it independently, testing their comprehension and learning from any errors they encounter without immediate guidance.

What is the scientist method and how does it aid in the learning process?

The scientist method involves doing the tutorial while making deliberate changes or optimizations, which helps the learner understand the concept well enough to modify it, enhancing their learning through active engagement.

How does the artist method differ from the other two methods in learning from tutorials?

The artist method differs by having the learner attempt the task before watching the tutorial, which allows them to experience the entire learning process, including wrestling with errors, optimizing their solution, and reflecting on their choices.