Richard Feynman

Thomas Frank

The Feynman Technique is a learning strategy named after physicist Richard Feynman, known for his ability to simplify complex ideas. The method involves choosing a topic, writing it down, and explaining it as if teaching someone else. By simplifying the concept, you reveal gaps in your knowledge. When you find areas of difficulty, revisit the source material and review until you can explain the entire topic clearly. In the final step, refine your explanation further, removing technical jargon and making it understandable enough for a child. This approach not only strengthens your understanding but also tests your ability to communicate complex ideas simply, fostering genuine comprehension in any subject area.

Sprouts

The Feynman Learning Technique is a powerful method for mastering new topics, reinforcing understanding, or preparing for exams. It involves four key steps: First, select a topic, study it, and then write about it as if teaching someone else. This helps clarify your understanding. Second, identify any gaps by explaining aloud and revisiting unclear parts. Repeat until you can explain the topic from beginning to end. Third, simplify your language or use analogies to make complex ideas clearer. If you struggle with simplicity, revisit the material. Finally, explaining ideas in simple terms solidifies understanding and boosts long-term retention. This technique, named after Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, emphasizes clarity and simplicity, as Feynman himself encouraged, to ensure genuine comprehension.

Odysseas

This video also explains the Feynman Technique as a tool for deepening understanding while promoting intellectual humility, drawing from the Socratic Paradox. It emphasizes feedback and honest self-assessment, recognizing that learning without feedback risks misguided effort. The method begins with studying a topic across multiple sources to build a nuanced understanding, followed by explaining the concept to a hypothetical audience using simple language. Reflecting on areas of confusion, then revisiting source materials to strengthen those weak spots, is central to this technique. A unique addition here is a “fifth step” that challenges the learner to simplify explanations even further, refining them to a level a child could understand. This process builds flexibility in communication and reinforces mastery.