Newsletter#9: Educational Theory and Philosophy Series -  The Feynman Technique

Educational Theory and Philosophy Series -  The Feynman Technique

Some say that much of the knowledge we teach, especially at the university level, is very difficult. Can such complex knowledge truly be taught to anyone? Absolutely!

Should you consider my viewpoint to be merely an individual opinion and perhaps unreliable, let us consult a distinguished authority. Today, we are honored to reference a Nobel laureate and esteemed educator, Richard Feynman.

Richard Feyman won Nobel Prize, image from Inc. Magazine

Based on his extensive educational experiences, Feynman devised the globally renowned "Feynman Technique." We shall now delve into the fundamental aspects of this learning method.

Image from Todoist

Background:

Richard Feynman (1918-1988), who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965 is considered the most insightful theoretical physicist after Einstein and was the first to propose the concept of nanotechnology. Feynman was also a member of the genius group involved in the Manhattan Project.

​After his work on the atomic bomb, he joined the California Institute of Technology in 1951 to teach. There, he introduced numerous approaches and perspectives for teaching (and understanding) professional knowledge. His lectures, held in large classrooms, were always fully attended not only by university students but often by many physicists who would visit to gain fresh insights and deepen their understanding of the nature of physics. Many students and teachers who attended his courses say that the two years spent with Feynman in physics were a rare and transformative experience in their lives.

Feynman’s teaching was so captivating that after attending two of his lectures, Bill Gates was deeply moved and referred to Feynman as "the best teacher I have ever seen." Feynman had a unique ability to express complex ideas in simple language, making him a prolific educator and earning him the nickname "the teacher’s teacher."

Bill Gates Remembers Richard Feynman

Feynman’s courses were so popular that the California Institute of Technology decided to compile and publish his lectures as "The Feynman Lectures on Physics," which continues to be considered a "bible" for physics teachers and university students worldwide.

One of Feynman's most profound realizations came from his father, who taught him the difference between "knowing" and "understanding." In an interview, he recalled an instance from his childhood during an outdoor exploration when a classmate asked him if he saw a certain bird and knew what it was. Feynman responded, "I don't know what it is called." The classmate said, "It's a brown-throated thrush. Doesn’t your father teach you anything?" But actually, the opposite was true. Feynman's father had taught Feynman to observe beyond names, saying, "See that bird? He calls it a Spencer's warbler.In Italian, it's called a Chutto Lapittida; in Portuguese, a Bom da Peida; in Chinese, a Chung-long-tah; and in Japanese, a Katano Tekeda. You can learn the name of that bird in every language of the world, yet you would know nothing about the bird itself. You'd only learn about the people in different places and what they call the bird. So let’s watch the bird and see what it’s actually doing—that’s what’s important."

He lists names in several other languages, illustrating that while Feynman might learn all these names, knowing them wouldn't help him understand the bird’s behavior, habitat, or role in the ecosystem. Young Feynman didn't realize how extraordinary his father's method was at the time. It was only after becoming a scientist that he was amazed to discover that his father, who had no understanding of science, had taught him the fundamental principles of scientific research: mere memorization is useless; explore and understand to truly grasp the essence.

image from LinkedIn

This is the essence of the Feynman Technique. "Teaching is the best way to learn," these six words encapsulate the core of the Feynman Technique.

Now, let's focus on a key point. This article primarily introduces the Feynman Technique, acclaimed as the ultimate learning trick and an essential strategy for learning.

image from Medium

The Feynman Technique:

The Feynman Technique consists of four core steps:

1. Choose a Concept

Select a concept that you want to learn.

2. Teach the Concept (the essence of the Feynman Technique)

Imagine that you are explaining this concept to a complete novice in the field, or even to a ten-year-old child. Your goal is to clarify the concept so thoroughly that they understand it completely. This not only deepens your own understanding but also helps identify any gaps or sticking points in your knowledge.

3. Fill Gaps

Whenever you find yourself unable to explain the concept, go back and seek answers. Return to the books, consult with peers, teachers, or those who understand the concept, and study it again until you can explain it fluently.

4. Review and simplify

Continue to refine your explanation. If it involves academic or abstract terminology, try to explain it using simpler words. Alternatively, use analogies to make the concept more relatable.

This is the globally renowned "Feynman Technique."

Feynman Technique Principles

Aligned with the Learning Pyramid theory, research by the American National Training Laboratory has confirmed that different learning methods result in completely different learning efficiencies. This is known as the famous "Learning Pyramid" theory, first introduced by the renowned American audio-visual learning expert Edgar Dale in 1946. 

image from Studypool

In this pyramid, we find that teaching others results in the highest retention rate, making the Feynman Technique an excellent learning method. From the top of the pyramid:

image from Arlo

Dale's "Learning Pyramid" theory reveals an important learning principle: knowledge gained and internalized through active learning modes such as "doing" and "acting" is much more effective than passive learning modes such as "listening," "reading," and "observing."

References:

To read our previous newsletters, please visit our official website: https://www.wku.edu.cn/en/taxonomy/term/687

Author: Yirui (Sandy) Jiang
Chief Editor: Yirui (Sandy) Jiang