Learning How to Learn Joel Clermont @jclermont Monday, March 4, 13 

Shameless Self-Promotion • Programming since 1982 • Lifelong independent learner • PHP, C# and Ruby • Milwaukee PHP user group Monday, March 4, 13 

Why are you here? Monday, March 4, 13 

You want to learn • Time marches on • Constant learning is essential Monday, March 4, 13 

Your ability to learn == Success Monday, March 4, 13 

How much can you learn in . . . Monday, March 4, 13 

How much can you learn in . . . 30 - 45 minutes? Monday, March 4, 13 

How much can you learn in . . . 30 - 45 minutes? a half-day workshop? Monday, March 4, 13 

Sheep dip • One size fits all • Alien environment • Short-term benefit Monday, March 4, 13 

Did I just tell you this talk is pointless? Monday, March 4, 13 

Plutarch The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled Monday, March 4, 13 

Understand your brain Monday, March 4, 13 

Understand your brain Read the source! Monday, March 4, 13 

L-mode Verbal Analytical Logical Linear Monday, March 4, 13 

R-mode Holistic Intuitive Spatial Synthetic Monday, March 4, 13 

Technique 1 Pair Programming Monday, March 4, 13 

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 

Technique 2 Learn Deliberately Monday, March 4, 13 

SMART • Specific Monday, March 4, 13 

SMART • Specific • Measurable Monday, March 4, 13 

SMART • Specific • Measurable • Achievable Monday, March 4, 13 

SMART • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Relevant Monday, March 4, 13 

SMART • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Relevant • Time-boxed Monday, March 4, 13 

Technique 3 Read Deliberately Monday, March 4, 13 

Take notes • Use a mind map • Draw it by hand (no fancy computer tool) • Revise and reorganize it Monday, March 4, 13 

Technique 4 Test Driven Learning Monday, March 4, 13 

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 

Technique 5 Learn by Teaching Monday, March 4, 13 

Technique 6 Keep a Positive Attitude Monday, March 4, 13 

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 

Technique 7 Experiment Monday, March 4, 13 

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 

Technique 8 Fail Early and Often Monday, March 4, 13 

You must unlearn what you have learned Monday, March 4, 13 

Technique 9 Relax, but Stay Focused Monday, March 4, 13 

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 

Next steps • http://pragprog.com/book/ahptl • 40% off use code mwphp-ahptl Copyright 2008 Andy Hunt Monday, March 4, 13 

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 

https://joind.in/8196 Thank you! Monday, March 4, 13