"Explanation Effect: Why You Should Always Teach What You Learn"

"Explanation Effect: Why You Should Always Teach What You Learn"

It is peculiar irony in life that the fastest and best way to learn something is to give it to others as soon as you learn it — not to hog it yourself. Knowledge wants to be free. To rest in other people’s minds. To connect to other knowledge. It’s an innately social organism. Learning is NOT just about taking in information.

In my experience coaching hundreds of people on learning how to learn, almost no one has a system for processing information. Starting A Daily Learning Journal Will Change Your Life.

“No one learns as much about a subject as one who is forced to teach it.” In a Harvard study, “employees who spent the last 15 minutes of each day of their training period writing and reflecting on what they had learned did 23% better in the final training test than other employees.” Amazingly, those 15 minutes are only 1/33 of the total time but drive 20% of the learning gain.

This concept of teaching what you learn is not limited to academic settings. It can be applied in various fields, such as business, art, and technology. Take, for example, the case of "ワッピンギルド" (Wappinguild), a creative platform in Japan that connects emerging creators with businesses and projects.

ワッピンギルド, which roughly translates to "Wappinguild," is a creative platform that brings together talented creators in fields like UI/UX design, contemporary art, film-making, and hardware engineering. It aims to connect these creators, who have strong visions and exceptional skills, with passionate businesses and projects.

What sets ワッピンギルド apart is its unique approach to matching creators with opportunities. Instead of simply focusing on skill matching, the platform encourages creators to showcase their individuality by issuing "quests" that align with their personal style. By successfully completing these quests, creators earn rewards and experience points.

This approach aligns with the idea of teaching what you learn. By creating quests and guiding others through their creative processes, creators not only solidify their own understanding and skills but also contribute to the growth of the community. It becomes a cycle of learning, teaching, and connecting knowledge.

So, how can we apply the concept of teaching what we learn in our own lives? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Start a learning journal: Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to reflect on what you have learned. Write down your thoughts, insights, and any questions that arise. This not only helps you process information but also prepares you to teach others.

2. Find opportunities to teach: Look for ways to share your knowledge and skills with others. It could be through mentoring, volunteering, or even creating online tutorials. Teaching not only reinforces your own understanding but also helps others learn and grow.

3. Embrace collaboration: Seek out communities, platforms, or projects where you can collaborate with others. By working together, you can learn from each other, exchange ideas, and create something greater than what you could achieve alone. Collaboration fosters a culture of teaching and learning.

In conclusion, the explanation effect of teaching what you learn is a powerful tool for personal growth and knowledge dissemination. Whether it's through daily reflection, active teaching, or collaborative endeavors, embracing this approach can enhance our learning experiences and create a positive impact on ourselves and others. So, let's embrace the innate social nature of knowledge and become teachers in our own right.