I've been diving into data structures and algorithms along with backend fundamentals, and I've observed that I grasp concepts much better when I simplify them and explain them in basic terms. Lately, I've started creating short explanations lasting about 30 to 60 seconds, concentrating on intuition and common pitfalls rather than full coding solutions. I'm curious about your experiences: Does teaching help you learn? Do you find short explanations effective, or do you lean more towards longer tutorials? I've even taken to sharing these explanations publicly on my page called CodeAndQuery (not promoting it, just sharing context). I'd love to hear insights from those of you who have a bit of programming experience!
6 Answers
I haven't really tried teaching anyone yet, but I find that longer tutorials usually work better for me. They provide more depth and context.
You definitely get a clearer understanding when you can explain something simply. Just be careful not to overestimate your understanding—it's easy to fall into the Dunning-Kruger effect and think you know more than you actually do.
Absolutely, teaching others definitely boosts your understanding! Just look at the founder of Khan Academy—he's got like multiple degrees from MIT and learned a ton through teaching. It’s a powerful way to solidify your knowledge and uncover gaps in your understanding.
Speaking of teaching methods, ever heard of rubber duck debugging? It's a technique where explaining your code to a rubber duck can help clarify your thoughts. It's fascinating!
Teaching really reflects your journey in learning! You start off knowing something, then you comprehend it enough to explain to yourself, and eventually, you reach a level of mastery where you can teach others. It's all part of the process!
Totally agree! It's not just about programming; you learn so much better when you teach others. It highlights your knowledge gaps and pushes you to learn more to fill them.
If you want to dive deeper, definitely check out CodeAndQuery!