Learning in Levels
Decoding Knowledge with Wired’s 5 Levels
👋 Hi there, welcome to The Learning Dispatch! Twice a month, we explore creative formats from the world of learning. Created by TeamLogiQ.
On to this week’s format!
“The person who says he knows what he thinks but cannot express it usually does not know what he thinks.” —Mortimer Adler
📰 What’s the format?
5 Levels by Wired. An expert scientist explains a high-level subject in five different layers of complexity— first to a child, then a teenager, then an undergrad majoring in the same subject, a grad student and, finally, a colleague.
Here are two of my favorite episodes:
An Astrophysicist Explains Gravity in 5 Levels, where PhD Janna Levin does an excellent job with not only clear, but also highly engaging explanations.
A Musician Explains One Concept in 5 Levels of Difficulty, where Jacob Collier explains the concept of harmony to 5 different people; including jazz legend Herbie Hancock.
🎛️ What are the features?
Simplicity and essential detail: Complex ideas are easier to take in when they’re explained in its simplest form.
Incremental complexity. This structure not only caters to viewers with varying degrees of familiarity with the topic but also allows viewers to see how understanding can evolve with experience.
Analogies: When you understand a challenging concept, analogies allow you to create a short-hand for recalling it quickly and explaining it to others clearly.
💡 Why is it effective for learning?
It challenges you to be honest with yourself. When you're required to articulate your understanding either through writing or speaking, you quickly discover any gaps or uncertainties in your knowledge.
It’s tougher to mislead others. If your explanation doesn’t resonate, people will let you know, either directly or through non-verbal cues like puzzled looks. To check the clarity of your explanation, you can ask them to paraphrase what you've explained in their own words. If they struggle, it's a sign you need to simplify your message using clear, straightforward language.
You gain confidence. Mastering a subject to the point where you can explain it effortlessly, identify exceptions, and recognize inconsistencies not only boosts your confidence but also encourages you to explore more complex topics with a reliable approach to learning.
🏷 Summary
The "5 Levels" method shows the power of adjusting lessons to fit the learner's current understanding. It helps everyone build on what they know, which is important when learners have different prior knowledge.
📚 Further Readings and Tools
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