Feynman Technique is a widespread mental model. The name came from Richard Feynman, who is a famous Physicist and won the Nobel Prize. This technique helps to learn almost everything in an easy way. Feynman’s technique helps in the process of understanding and learning new concepts. Feynman tells a story of going to a Mathematics class and challenging the students to ask him any question without using complicated terminology.
He got the same answer as others using the Feynman Technique. Feynman Technique is mainly used to understand ideas that are not easily understandable. It also helps in memorizing new ideas. This technique can help you to learn ideas within approximately 15 minutes. However, you will remember those ideas for many years. It is possible that you are already using this technique without knowing about it.
Gather Information Regarding Basic English Skills and become proficient in the language and speak fluently with confidence. Try the Tips over here and Improve your English Writing and Speaking Skills.
About Feynman Technique
Feynman Technique is a breakdown of Feynman’s personal thought process to convey complicated information using simple language and concise thoughts. The Feynman Technique is invented through Feynman’s studying methods. Feynman linked his known things with the things that he did not know about.
You can use the Feynman Technique to shore up knowledge gaps, learn new concepts, and memorize ideas to study well. Many students face difficulties in learning because of the complexity of the concepts. This technique solves this issue. Feynman preferred dictation overwriting. As a result, he dictated most of his books and transcribed his scientific papers.
Feynman depended mainly on spoken and verbal communication. He made cartoon diagrams of complex scientific principles to make it easy for everyone. Feynman wanted to remove the complexity of words. Feynman got the Nobel Prize for explaining problematic essentials of Particle Physics in a straightforward way to explain their meaning. Feynman’s invention of the diagrams, quarks, arrows, cartoons, squiggly lines is now one of the greatest inventions in the field of Science. The Feynman Technique is simple. The technique is divided into four parts, as follows.
First Step:
You should open a diary and write about the subject you want to learn. Next, you should write about the things you want to learn about the subject. Write the things as if you are teaching them to a child, not an adult friend or colleague. You need to think about yourself as a 12-year-old who has a good stock of vocabulary to understand fundamental relations and basic concepts.
We sometimes use tricky words to hide our lack of understanding. When an idea is written in a simple language, one can understand it at a deeper level with proper attention. Some things will be comfortable where you will have a clear understanding of the subject. In some cases, you may struggle. These cases need Feynman Technique.
Second Step:
Feynman thinks that people forget things when there is a knowledge gap. You forget things when you have trouble thinking of how variables interact and unable to explain. When you understand the gap, go back to it again and re-read it till the time you can describe it in basic terms.
You understand a thing entirely when you can explain it in simple language without using complex sentences. This is a crucial step to learn. If you skip this part, you will have an illusion of knowledge. If you understand the boundaries, it limits your mistakes and increases your chance of success.
Third Step:
You have to make some handwritten notes. Review the notes to make sure that you have not made any mistakes. Organize these notes into a straightforward narrative. It will help if you read out these notes loudly. Suppose you find something confusing while reading, work on it again. You need to follow this process again and again till the time you understand it completely. You may repeat the process twice a year to check your knowledge.
Fourth Step:
In the last step, you have to find someone who knows nothing about your subject or a 12 years old child. You have to convey the theory or concept in your language. If the person understands it, you are done with your work. If the person does not understand, you have to work on that part again.
Feynman Technique and Passion
Feynman used to believe in different approaches to learning and development. He found connections between learning and creativity. Einstein was a good violin player. Feynman had a bongos and passion for art. Feynman believed in the beauty of art and stories.
According to him, passion is an unending source of inspiration. He was passionate to draw the beauty of Science and represent it in an easy way to the world.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the Feynman Technique will help you turn your next empty notebook page into an opportunity. Learning is a lifelong process, and this technique will help you to learn new concepts and prepare for exams. It is now in your hands to turn your notebook into a place where new ideas can evolve, knowledge can grow, and inspirations make their way to deeper learning.