Ask HN: What is your best method to learn new things?

Become a producer of knowledge rather than just a consumer. When you create new knowledge, you synthesize what is already known and thus learn with a purpose (vs. being passive). Alternatively, solve a problem. When you identify a problem that you want to solve you will retain and apply related learning better than if you are simply reading or listening.

I don't have a magic solution. I tend to learn best in the typical formal classroom way. I like to watch lecture, read the material, take notes, and work practice problems. Ultimately it's the practice that really helps me learn something. Most things I know really well I know because I had a work related or personal project that I could use those skills for.

Come up with a project that you want to complete that requires the thing you're using. Then work on the project. It'll help you figure out what aspects to focus on, realize what you don't understand, and become familiar with the gotchas.

I read then take notes on what I read, summarizing the concept(s) so I solidify understanding.

Once I understand the concept(s), I practice these concepts by creating examples and solving the examples.

Finally I analogize and connect the concept with previous knowledge, i.e. internet is to spider web and quarternary numeral system is to DNA. Quarternary numeral is related to decimal numeral system in that they encode real numbers to limited symbols.

From there you can create small projects to reinforce a combination of concepts in your brain!

Listening to lectures is a good start. I found that listening to it at 2-3x speed multiple times works best for me. Skimmimg a variety of articles on the topic, this helps for understanding the jargon used in the field. Jargon intimatedes me when I'm reading for a thorough understanding. So if I already have a flavor of the field it becomes much easier to grasp what is written. The best method yet is just spending time with people who know a lot about that field.

Cultivating a genuine curiosity for the topic, for me that means be driven by my own questions in the first place. A side project could be a form of a question, don't feel guilty for not finishing those projects, some aspects of the project will answer your question and the other uninteresting parts will be never finished, and it's fine.

Also I used to read books linearly and the whole thing, recently I'm experimenting with these other ways from How to read a Book pdf[1] which I saw posted on HN[2]

[1] http://pne.people.si.umich.edu/PDF/howtoread.pdf

[2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12209446

carpool

The most efficient way to learn is to find out the original problems that these new things trying to solve. Learn as much as possible about the historic context of these problems and solutions. Having this big picture in mind will enable you to learn much faster and deeper.

Another thing is to apply what you just learned in practice as quick as possible. That will help convert your new knowledge to ability.

It may sound stupid but it works for me. Read, listen, watch something in relaxed manner before you go to sleep. Problems and information is always clearer next morning. Doesn't work, too much to learn? Rinse and repeat.

Taking notes as you listen helps too.

Reading a book is a recipe for procrastination. I just don't have the willpower to read upfront.

Build an easy 2 hour project in the technology. Like a basic bug tracker. Dive in knowing nothing, no learning first. Consult google as you go.

I need to build something first, then read little bits here and there. Eventually sitting down to learn the "proper" way to use the technology.

What I typically do is create something, then try to teach how to make that something to other people. In person is good, but tough. Screencasts and blogs are great for this.

While teaching, you really get sudden moments of clarity as to why something is like it is, or why you had to do it this way.