How I Learn New Content and Never Forget

Summary

This video transcript delves into the concept of 'higher order learning' as suggested by learning expert Justin Sung. It contrasts lower order learning, which focuses on memorizing facts, with higher order learning that involves applying and evaluating information. The video outlines a framework to promote deeper understanding by asking critical questions about the importance, relevance, and application of the material. It uses the example of COVID-19's RNA structure to illustrate how higher order learning can enhance comprehension and problem-solving in virology.

Takeaways

• 📚 Higher Order Learning: The concept of 'higher order learning' is introduced as a way to deeply understand and connect information, as opposed to just memorizing facts.
• 🤔 Understanding Spectrum: Understanding is presented as a spectrum, with recalling facts and concepts at the lower end, and applying or evaluating information at the higher end.
• 🧩 Puzzle Analogy: The script uses a puzzle analogy to explain the difference between lower and higher order learning, emphasizing the importance of seeing how pieces fit together.
• 🔑 Three Critical Questions: A framework for higher order learning is suggested, which involves asking why something is important, how it relates to other information, and how it will be used or tested.
• 🔍 Importance of COVID-19: The script uses COVID-19 as an example to illustrate the application of the higher order learning framework, highlighting the significance of RNA in the virus.
• 🔬 RNA vs DNA: The differences between RNA and DNA are discussed to show how understanding the basics can lead to a deeper comprehension of complex topics like virology.
• 🛡️ Vaccine Development: The script suggests thinking about how a vaccine might work against COVID-19 as a way to apply higher order learning and understand the material at a deeper level.
• 📝 Avoiding Relearning: The importance of learning material properly the first time using higher order learning is emphasized to avoid the need for relearning later.
• 📆 Memorization of Details: The script acknowledges that there will be details that cannot be connected through higher order learning and introduces a fourth question about the necessity of memorizing such details.
• 🔑 Fourth Bonus Question: The script teases a fourth question, 'Do I need to memorize the details?', which is suggested as a topic for a future video.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker faced with their learning process?

The speaker felt they understood the material during class but struggled to recognize anything when reviewing their notes, often feeling like they had to relearn everything.

Who did the speaker consult to address their learning issue?

The speaker consulted an expert learning coach named Justin Sung.

What concept did Justin Sung introduce to the speaker?

Justin Sung introduced the concept of 'higher order learning' to address the speaker's learning difficulties.

What does 'higher order learning' refer to in the context of the video?

'Higher order learning' refers to the ability to apply information, evaluate it, and understand how different pieces of information relate to and fit together within a bigger picture.

According to the video, what is an example of 'lower order learning'?

An example of 'lower order learning' is memorizing facts and concepts without understanding their relationships or applications, such as memorizing that 'mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell' without understanding its role in the cell's function.

What are the three critical questions the speaker suggests asking to promote higher order learning?

The three critical questions are: 'Why is it important?', 'How does it relate to other info?', and 'How will I use this info or how will I be tested on this?'

What is the fourth bonus question that the speaker mentions for situations where higher order learning may not apply?

The fourth bonus question is 'Do I need to memorize the details?', which is used to determine if certain details are important to memorize despite not fitting into higher order learning.

How does the speaker use the concept of 'puzzle pieces' to explain higher order learning?

The speaker uses 'puzzle pieces' as a metaphor for concepts or pieces of information. Higher order learning involves taking multiple puzzle pieces and relating them together to understand how they fit into the bigger picture of the subject matter.

What is an example of applying higher order learning to the topic of COVID-19 in the video?

The example given is understanding why COVID-19 is important due to its RNA structure, how it relates to other information about RNA and DNA, and considering how this knowledge could be applied in creating a vaccine.

What advice does the speaker give for students who want to avoid relearning material?

The speaker advises students to invest more time upfront to understand the material at a higher level, using higher order learning techniques, to avoid the need for relearning and playing catch-up later.

What is the speaker's call to action for viewers at the end of the video?

The speaker asks viewers to share which part of the framework was most helpful to them in the comments below, as it will help with future video ideas.