My default mindset for learning is to study the topic with the intention of teaching it. When I read a book, I don’t just absorb the information; I think about how I’d explain it to someone else. This framing forces me to engage with a deeper curiosity of the perspectives and atomized concepts in the subject matter. Importantly, it helps me to organize my thoughts clearly.
In this case, teaching isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s about solidifying your own understanding. By preparing to teach, I uncover gaps in my knowledge, refine my perspectives, and gain confidence in the material. Just because I’m the student, doesn’t mean I’m not also the teacher.
I often rant out loud to an AI about some idea or project and I ask it to find inconsistencies, logical fallacies, and just generally provide me with feedback. (This in itself is a skill to learn to teach; asking AI better questions.) Sometimes it can be a bit like playing ping pong with a wall, but if you practice it does still sharpen mental agility and often times you get a fascinating curve ball that will pique your curiosity still further.
What’s something you’ve learned recently and could you now teach it?
