Learning how to learn

As developers, we are constantly faced with new things to learn. New versions of languages, new tooling, new best practices, and so on. How do you cope with it all? In this talk, I'll get a bit meta and talk about learning how to learn. We like our code to be efficient, so why shouldn't our learning be efficient as well?

Transcript

1. Learning How to Learn Joel Clermont @jclermont Monday, March 4, 13
2. Shameless Self-Promotion • Programming since 1982 • Lifelong independent learner • PHP, C# and Ruby • Milwaukee PHP user group Monday, March 4, 13
3. Why are you here? Monday, March 4, 13
4. You want to learn • Time marches on • Constant learning is essential Monday, March 4, 13
5. Your ability to learn == Success Monday, March 4, 13
6. How much can you learn in . . . Monday, March 4, 13
7. How much can you learn in . . . 30 - 45 minutes? Monday, March 4, 13
8. How much can you learn in . . . 30 - 45 minutes? a half-day workshop? Monday, March 4, 13
9. Sheep dip • One size fits all • Alien environment • Short-term benefit Monday, March 4, 13
10. Did I just tell you this talk is pointless? Monday, March 4, 13
11. Plutarch The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled Monday, March 4, 13
12. Understand your brain Monday, March 4, 13
13. Understand your brain Read the source! Monday, March 4, 13
14. L-mode Verbal Analytical Logical Linear Monday, March 4, 13
15. R-mode Holistic Intuitive Spatial Synthetic Monday, March 4, 13
16. Technique 1 Pair Programming Monday, March 4, 13
17. Why is this useful? • Humans are excellent mimics • Driver can be in L-mode, navigator in R-mode • Study of children solving problems with gears [1] [1] Daniel L. Schwartz. The emergence of abstract representations in dyad problem solving. Journal of the Learning Sciences, (4):321-354, 19 Monday, March 4, 13
18. Technique 2 Learn Deliberately Monday, March 4, 13
19. SMART • Specific Monday, March 4, 13
20. SMART • Specific • Measurable Monday, March 4, 13
21. SMART • Specific • Measurable • Achievable Monday, March 4, 13
22. SMART • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Relevant Monday, March 4, 13
23. SMART • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Relevant • Time-boxed Monday, March 4, 13
24. Technique 3 Read Deliberately Monday, March 4, 13
25. Take notes • Use a mind map • Draw it by hand (no fancy computer tool) • Revise and reorganize it Monday, March 4, 13
26. Technique 4 Test Driven Learning Monday, March 4, 13
27. Leverage your brain’s wiring • Forcing yourself to recall a fact makes it more permanent • Every read is a write • New connections and relationships are formed • Spaced interval best Monday, March 4, 13
28. Technique 5 Learn by Teaching Monday, March 4, 13
29. Technique 6 Keep a Positive Attitude Monday, March 4, 13
30. Brains don’t like stress • Being happy makes you a better learner [1] • The opposite is also true • Belief affects reality [2] • Researchers taught a blind man to see with his tongue [3] [1] A Neuropsychological Theory of Positive Affect and Its Influence on Cognition [2] Mindset: The New Psychology of Success [3] The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science Monday, March 4, 13
31. Technique 7 Experiment Monday, March 4, 13
32. Involve all your senses • Why’s book has a soundtrack • “Use of LSD for Computer Programming” • Build to learn, don’t learn to build • Logo Monday, March 4, 13
33. Technique 8 Fail Early and Often Monday, March 4, 13
34. You must unlearn what you have learned Monday, March 4, 13
35. Technique 9 Relax, but Stay Focused Monday, March 4, 13
36. Another way of saying the brain dislikes stress • A looming deadline is bad for cognition • Trust me, you do not thrive under pressure [1] • Relaxed, but concentrated focus • Avoid multitasking. You can’t do it anyways. [1] Bill Breen. The 6 myths of creativity. Monday, March 4, 13
37. Next steps • http://pragprog.com/book/ahptl • 40% off use code mwphp-ahptl Copyright 2008 Andy Hunt Monday, March 4, 13
38. Additional Resources • Leon Gersing’s talk at Madison Ruby 2012 http://confreaks.com/videos/1104-madisonruby2012-gonzo-exploration-of- culture-innovation-and-the-weird-in-software • Why’s Poignant Guide to Ruby http://mislav.uniqpath.com/poignant-guide/ • http://www.supermemo.com • Ask me questions on Twitter @jclermont Monday, March 4, 13
39. https://joind.in/8196 Thank you! Monday, March 4, 13