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Study & revision: a Practical Guide

The Feynman Technique

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The Feynman Technique


What is the Feynman Technique?


Developed by physicist Richard Feynman, the Feynman Technique is a method of learning that requires you to teach a concept in simple terms, as if explaining it to a child.


How to use the Feynman Technique

Step 1: Teach it to a child

  • Choose a topic you want to understand and try explaining it as if you’re talking to a child or someone who knows nothing about it. 
  • You could write it down, speak it out loud, or even explain it to a friend or family member. 

Step 2: Identify knowledge gaps

  •  Kids often like to ask questions about things, so if you can’t answer the ‘why’ question that they might ask, you should probably go back to studying the material. 

Step 3: Simplify & clarify

  • Rewrite any complex sections in simpler terms.
  • Aim for clarity and ease of understanding.

Step 4: Review & repeat

  • Go through the process again, refining your explanation until you can explain the concept simply and accurately.

The four steps of the Feynman Technique for learning: 1. Choose a topic and teach it to a child, 2. Identify knowledge gaps, 3. Simplify and clarify the information, and 4. Review and repeat the process.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Feynman Technique

Advantages

  • Enhances deep understanding over mere memorisation of material.
  • Improves comprehension by connecting concepts to personal experiences.
  • Helps develop public speaking and explanatory skills.
  • Effective for reviewing and reinforcing already-learned material.

Disadvantages

  • Not suitable for simple concepts or heavily memorisation-based topics.
  • Time-intensive, requiring significant effort to learn, understand deeply, and explain in your own words.

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