• Registered: 2010-02-03
  • Posts: 44

Topic: self guided learning - tips and tricks

What self guided learning practices and strategies do people use?
Ive been trying to base mine on the following approach

  • set an overall goal, but don't focus on it too much

  • choose goals that will keep you motivated. work on projects that are interesting

  • figure out a small, easily achievable step that will help me reach that goal and focus on that

  • when that step is complete, figure out what the next step is

  • express each step as a specific action, so "learn about python variables from showmedo" not just "learn python"

  • when a step is done, re-asses the goal

For me the hardest part is when i get done with a step. being a self learner, i don't have a syllabus and i'm often at a loss to figure out what i should do next. does anyone have any strategies they use to help them figure out what their next step should be?

two resources to share:

lifehacker on to do lists
http://lifehacker.com/270404/the-art-of … to+do-list

stanford u's top 10 mistakes in behaviour change
http://www.slideshare.net/captology/stanford-6401325

Last edited by monty_cantsing (2011-02-04 01:26:21)

  • From: In my head.
  • Registered: 2011-01-12
  • Posts: 66

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

I typically teach myself by throwing myself into a position where I have some driving need/desire to succeed, but I don't have the prerequisites to preform such and such task. It's not really something I plan out, though.

Instead of "Let's learn Python!", I'd have created a project for myself, and to ensure that I'd complete it, I'd brag to everybody in sight about this awesome project. That way, I've more to prick myself with if I'm falling behind. To learn how to program a Ti-83, I'm working on creating a Rouge-like game.

Instead of learning Japanese via book and rote memorisation, I'm writing and speaking in Japanese whenever I have the opportunity (including a diary) and I'll try to use as much new material as I can. This is much faster. (Watching anime, reading manga, and listening to "J-pop" doesn't hurt either.)

This is what works for me.

If you understand, the world is just the way it is. If you don't understand, the world is just the way it is. -- Zen Proverb
  • Registered: 2010-12-29
  • Posts: 47

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

I've always been a self learner, and I learn more by trying than by set formats.  I got a fortune cookie that said ( I'm not kidding ) "The greatest mistake a man can make, is to be afraid of making one".

I think that says it all for self-learners.  Don't be afraid to make the mistake.  Luckily this is Linux, and it's much more forgiving.

  • Registered: 2010-03-26
  • Posts: 237

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

It is helpful to have external input, self-learning need not be completely isolated. Try asking advice from someone learned in the subject when you need to. I find it is useful to focus on something that I am not good at, and aim for improvement.

  • luc
  • #! Die-hard
  • Offline
  • From: Munich, Germany
  • Registered: 2010-03-21
  • Posts: 560

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

as this seems to be quite about programming and computers. I use(d) these helpers to get comfortable with the rough stuff:

  • Gvim -> Vim

  • Lyx -> LaTex

  • CB -> Linux big_smile

and as banana already said: telling other people what you want to do and asking the if they can help you is a profitable thing to do in the matter.
luc

  • Awebb
  • #! Die-hard
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-07-23
  • Posts: 2,471

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

luc wrote:

  • Lyx -> LaTex

Indeed. Using Lyx adds that much abstraction, that it does not make any sense using it. I use latex to have bothering with the design out of my way. Lyx is just a clumsy word processor.

I'm so meta, even this acronym
  • Registered: 2010-02-03
  • Posts: 44

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

@Bananaclassic good point about having a project or goal in mind to help with motivation. i'm going to edit my original post to include that very point.

setting yourself up with a negative consequence if you don't reach a goal or stick to a schedule is another good point. check this out http://nudges.org/2011/01/24/a-gym-memb … t-workout/
i might need to start putting a couple bucks to charity every time i don't meet a weekly goal.

  • From: In my head.
  • Registered: 2011-01-12
  • Posts: 66

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

Someone with NaNoWriMo had an excellent idea regarding donating to charity... do it to a charity/cause you absolutely hate. A possible check to the NRA definitely keeps me on track. Don't skimp on the donation size, either, but not too big, of course.

If you understand, the world is just the way it is. If you don't understand, the world is just the way it is. -- Zen Proverb
  • From: Nagoya, Japan
  • Registered: 2009-01-07
  • Posts: 1,955

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

And don't get stuck in any particular formula for "learning". Different things need different approaches (eg with spoken languages the audible input is very important), the brain has many channels for information input and processing, and different people have developed them differently. Try all kinds of stuff.

And, yes, don't be afraid to ask for help!

John
------------------------
( a boring Japan blog , and idle twitterings )
“Good morning sir, which way up would you like your reality today?”  "As it comes, Jeeves, as it comes..."

johnraff's Website

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2011-02-15
  • Posts: 116

Re: self guided learning - tips and tricks

monty_cantsing wrote:

What self guided learning practices and strategies do people use?

How I learn? The best example for my crazy non-strategic-learning is the way I'm learning Linux:

Started with a CD and tried it at first in 1993...

Break

Joined a class in the evening school: "The Basics of Linux" in 2000.

Break

Started with Ubuntu and an old notebook, and give it a longer experimental time.

Break

In 2010, I was really bored about Windows 7 - and I did hard studies in Linux:

Testing of a lot of distros, reading websites, reading german and english books, learning by doing - but it's a hard way to learn an operating system.

Maybe I find a better and highly sophisticated way to learn Linux?

Note: I'm a Microsoft-OS-Worker, Linux is one of my hobbies, just for fun...

"If you can dream it, you can do it!" [Walt Disney]