TL;DR
Two modes of thinking contribute to deep learning and understanding: Focused & Diffuse.
Strategies to learn better: Chunking, recall, spaced repetition, interleaving (synthesis), Feynman Method.
EmberWise is built with these learning strategies in mind, removing barriers for learners to start training.
What do we mean by ‘learning how to learn’?
Let’s face it. Most of us were taught what to study, not how to learn. We highlight, we re-read, we binge videos, and we still forget when it counts. If you’re a self-learner, an ambitious student, or a knowledge worker who wants to deeply understand something and apply it elsewhere in life, you’ve probably felt what I felt. That feeling of doubt and hesitation—do I really know enough about this to apply it in real-life? That’s why Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski’s landmark course, Learning How to Learn, resonated with millions. It translates cognitive science into everyday study strategies that help you learn faster and retain more.
At EmberWise, we’re building a modern learning system—a cognitive training gym powered by adaptive AI—that operationalizes these ideas into short, structured workouts. Below is a field guide to Oakley & Sejnowski’s core principles, plus concrete ways to practice them (manually or inside a platform like EmberWise). Use this as your playbook to learning how to learn.
The Two Modes of Thinking: Focused vs. Diffuse
Oakley & Sejnowski’s insight: Your brain alternates between focused (laser attention on a specific problem) and diffuse (relaxed, big-picture) modes. Mastery requires both.
Try it out
Focus blocks (10–25 min): Attack one concrete objective (e.g., “Prove the limit identity” or “Explain TCP three-way handshake”).
Tiny diffusion breaks (3–5 min): Walk, stretch, breathe. No scrolling. Let associations form.
Overnight consolidation: Sleep is a learning tool, not a luxury.
Chunking: Build the Neural Lego Bricks
What is it: A chunk is a tightly connected memory pattern, like factoring trinomials or writing a basic SQL join. You assemble complex skills by snapping chunks together.
How to practice:
Work a problem cold with no notes.
Check a worked example to fill gaps.
Do two fresh problem variations to lock the chunk.
Name the chunk (“two-step substitution,” “inner join scaffold”) to retrieve it later.
Pro tip: End a session by writing a one-sentence label for each new chunk. That linkage will speed recall tomorrow.
Active Recall: Out with Re-reading, In with Retrieval
The trap: Re-reading feels productive but produces familiarity, an illusion of learning. Re-reading is not durability, ability to retrieve information is (Peter, 2023).
The fix: Make retrieval practice your default. Close notes and pull answers from memory: definitions, steps, diagrams, mind-maps, proofs, code stubs.
Try this 10–3–1 rule
10 prompts you will answer from memory tomorrow.
3 mini problems you’ll solve cold.
1 cross-domain question to test application transfer (e.g., “Apply Bayes to medical triage”).
In EmberWise: Recall is built into our modes of training, which are automatically generated based on your level of understanding and confidence. Gone are the days of static questions and flashcards created manually.
Spaced Repetition: Beat the Forgetting Curve
Why it works: Memory strengthens when review happens just as you’re about to forget (Yuan, 2022).
Typical cadence: 1 day → 3 days → 7 days → 21 days → 45 days. Don’t reset the timer for a perfect recall; extend it.
Checklist
Keep prompts short (≤120 characters).
Include both concept and application cards.
Tag difficulty so you can reschedule tough items.
In EmberWise: Spaced repetition is built-in for you. You may also choose schedules on the platform for optimal retention based on performance and usage data from your previous sessions.
Interleaving & Variation: Train for Transfer
What is it: Mix related topics to avoid pattern-matching ruts. A study in 2010 discovered that children who participated in interleaved practice performed better with complex tasks, the ones you’re more likely to encounter in the real world (Taylor & Rohrer, 2009).
Template for a 30-minute interleave
6 minutes of Concept A problems
6 minutes of Concept B
6 minutes of mixed A/B
8 minutes of Synthesis: a real-world scenario requiring both
Outcome: You learn deeply and can use knowledge “anywhere,” not just where you first saw it.
The Feynman Method: Explain to Reveal Gaps
What is it: Explaining a concept to someone else reveals how well you know the concept. If you struggle, make a note and revisit the topic to fill in your gaps.
Steps:
Teach the idea in simple language (ELI5).
Identify confusion.
Re-learn targeted pieces.
Re-explain in fewer words with a real example.
Example prompt: “Explain gradient descent to a curious 5-year-old and connect it to ‘stepping downhill’ on a bumpy landscape.”
In EmberWise: Our key modes of training are built upon the Feynman Method. You will explain concepts to various types of AI-powered characters, leading conversational dialogue to teach them about a topic.
Putting It Together: A 7-Day “Learning How to Learn” Plan
Goal: Master fundamentals of a tough topic while building a sustainable self-learning habit.
Day 1 — Scout & Scope (30–45 min)
Create a mini syllabus: 5–7 core chunks to learn this week.
Write 10 retrieval prompts and 1 synthesis question.
Day 2 — Chunk & Retrieve (30–40 min)
Work a problem cold, review the model, then do two variants.
10 minutes of retrieval and schedule spaced repetition.
Day 3 — Feynman Explanations (30 min)
Write a 200-word explanation and 1 real example.
Record your top two misconceptions.
Day 4 — Interleave (30 min)
Alternate two chunks, then finish with a mixed problem.
Day 5 — Synthesis Scenario (30–40 min)
Solve a case that requires at least two chunks.
Build a quick mind-map linking concepts.
Day 6 — Review Spaced Repetition (20–30 min)
Evaluate your progress, extending intervals on success.
Add 3 new application prompts.
Day 7 — Performance Pulse (25–30 min)
Timed retrieval set (10 prompts).
Reflect: Which chunk is slow? Plan next week’s first set.
You can begin this plan with a notebook and timer—or let EmberWise automatically sequence training that adjusts intensity based on your level of confidence and performance.
Why This Pairs Naturally with EmberWise
Oakley & Sejnowski gave the world a blueprint for how to learn. We’ve taken that blueprint and built a cognitive training gym around it.
Structured training modes: Learners can train themselves to learn, utilizing strategies by Oakley and Sejnowski. EmberWise automates that flow, removing barriers for learners such as manually creating flashcards or quiz questions.
Adaptive routines: Our adaptive AI platform personalizes difficulty and feedback to ensure progress for all learners. Whether it’s learning a new concept or practicing a well-versed topic, EmberWise adjusts based on the learner’s performance.
Evidence of learning: Learners see personalized performance metrics that reflect true understanding—not just time spent.
Whether you’re studying financial management, algorithms, or product strategy, the formula is the same: train more than you consume, retrieve before you reread, and deliberately connect ideas across contexts.
A Closing Thought
If the old way of studying felt like pushing a boulder uphill, that’s because it was. Learning How to Learn shows there’s a better route, and EmberWise automates that route into a consistent, repeatable framework. Start small, schedule your reps, and let the gains compound.
Want to level up your knowledge?
Sign up for EmberWise — the cognitive training gym for serious self-learners.
Key References:
Peter, C. (2023). Oakley, B., Ragowsky, B., & Sejnowski, T. J. (2021). Uncommon sense teaching: Practical insights in brain science to help students learn. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, 202, 188–190. https://doi.org/10.7202/1099991ar
Yuan X. (2022). Evidence of the Spacing Effect and Influences on Perceptions of Learning and Science Curricula. Cureus, 14(1), e21201. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.21201
Taylor, K., & Rohrer, D. (2009). The effects of interleaved practice. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 24(6), 837–848. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.1598
Orr, D. (2024, April 19). The Feynman Technique: Study Skills’ Secret Weapon - Oxford Learning. Oxford Learning. https://oxfordlearning.com/the-feynman-technique-study-skills-secret-weapon/
Jorge. (2023, September 21). Unlocking Complex Ideas: The Magic of the ELI5 Method | Game-Changer. Innovation, New Ideas and How the World Is Changing. https://www.game-changer.net/2023/09/21/unlocking-complex-ideas-the-magic-of-the-eli5-method/
maxa. (2023, February 26). Learning How to Learn (And 20+ Studies). Lesswrong.com. https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/BzxbZqWoP9DRrznFi/learning-how-to-learn-and-20-studies
Schwartz, J. (2017, August 4). Learning to Learn: You, Too, Can Rewire Your Brain. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/04/education/edlife/learning-how-to-learn-barbara-oakley.html