This month we have a mishmash of links. I think the common thread that may run through them all is that it is looking at how to learn something, as opposed to what to learn.
- Finland is winning the war on fake news. What it’s learned may be crucial to Western democracy (CNN)
- Start ’em Young: Getting Your Kids Outside and Loving It (National Park Foundation)
- How I Learned French in 12 Months
- Mathematics for the Adventurous Self-Learner
- The Wonder From Home series (Atlas Obscura)
The key to learning anything is on how to approach the topic, no matter what that topic is. Every person is different, their style of learning, their interests, their approaches, so the first step to self-learning is knowing how one learns.
For instance, I’m a visual learner. Give me diagrams and charts, give me words and reference books and pictures. I can fix almost anything if I have the right diagram. When my husband tried to teach me to drive a manual stick shift, I had him draw me a flowchart of steps.
But if you stick me in a lecture hall with someone talking at me, I will retain very little. If I’m not understanding what you’re saying, then my brain starts automatically shutting down, often without me realizing it until afterwards when I’m trying to recall it.
These links may give you some interesting ideas on how to approach a subject differently from traditional methods of learning.
What is your learning style? How do you make sure information sticks in your mind?