"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. Many individuals simply consume information without truly understanding it or making it stick. However, there is a powerful technique that can revolutionize your learning process: teaching what you learn.

A study conducted by Harvard revealed the extraordinary benefits of teaching what you learn. Employees who spent the last 15 minutes of each day of their training period writing and reflecting on what they had learned performed 23% better in the final training test than other employees. These 15 minutes, which amounted to just 1/33 of the total training time, drove an impressive 20% of the learning gain.

This phenomenon is known as the "Explanation Effect." By actively explaining concepts or information to others, you solidify your own understanding and retention of the material. When you teach something, you are required to break it down, organize your thoughts, and articulate it in a way that others can comprehend. This process forces your brain to deeply process the information, making it more memorable and enhancing your overall grasp of the subject.

Furthermore, when you teach something, you become more aware of any gaps in your knowledge. If you struggle to explain a concept, it indicates that you may need to revisit and strengthen your understanding of that particular topic. Teaching not only improves your retention, but it also highlights areas for improvement, allowing you to fill in any knowledge gaps and deepen your expertise.

Another effective learning strategy that complements the teaching approach is studying with a highlighter. However, it is essential to use this tool in the right way. Simply highlighting information for short-term purposes, such as preparing for an exam, is less effective than actively engaging with the material through note-taking.

Your brain naturally learns by making connections between pieces of information. The more connections you make in your notes, the better you tend to remember things. Whether it's linking similar details, connecting related concepts, or associating ideas with specific locations, your brain thrives on finding similarities. By actively taking notes and making these connections, you enhance your understanding and retention of the material.

While studying with a highlighter may not be the most effective strategy for short-term exam preparation, it can be incredibly valuable for long-term retention. If your goal is to be able to reference the materials even after a decade, a highlighter may be just the right tool. By highlighting key points, important concepts, or insightful quotes, you create a searchable system that allows you to easily revisit and review the material in the future.

Incorporating the teaching approach and utilizing a highlighter effectively are powerful techniques for enhancing your learning journey. By teaching others what you learn, you solidify your understanding, identify areas for improvement, and ensure long-term retention. When combined with a strategic use of a highlighter, you create a comprehensive learning system that optimizes your ability to absorb, process, and recall information.

To make the most of these strategies, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace the teaching mindset: Whenever you learn something new, make a conscious effort to explain it to someone else. This could be a friend, a family member, or even an imaginary audience. By teaching what you learn, you deepen your understanding and reinforce your knowledge.

2. Take comprehensive notes: Instead of passively highlighting information, actively engage with the material by taking detailed notes. Make connections, draw diagrams, and summarize key points. This process will enhance your comprehension and retention of the material.

3. Create a searchable system: If you choose to use a highlighter, ensure that you have a method for organizing and accessing the highlighted information. Consider using color-coded tabs or creating a digital archive. By making your highlights searchable, you can easily revisit and review the material in the future.

In conclusion, the Explanation Effect teaches us that the act of teaching what we learn is a powerful tool for enhancing our understanding and retention of information. By sharing our knowledge with others, we solidify our own understanding while contributing to the collective growth of knowledge. Additionally, when combined with effective note-taking strategies, such as highlighting, we create a comprehensive learning system that optimizes our ability to absorb, process, and recall information. So, don't keep your knowledge to yourself - teach it and watch your own learning journey flourish.