The Power of Teaching

Richard Feynman was famous not only for his physics, but for his ability to use teaching to be better at learning. By teaching something to someone else, we learn it better. Here are a few steps you can use to teach to learn:

1. Study the material first — but don't over-prepare
   Do an initial read or review of the topic. You don't need to master it before you start; in fact, trying to teach it before you feel fully ready is part of what makes the technique work.
2. Set your notes aside and explain it from scratch
   Out loud, on paper, or on a whiteboard — explain the concept as if you're teaching it to someone who has never seen it before. Use plain, simple language. This is the heart of the method. The moment you reach for jargon without being able to define it, or feel yourself stalling, you've found a gap.
3. Take note of where you get stuck
   The stumbles are the point. Any place where your explanation becomes vague, circular, or uncertain is a signal that your understanding is shallow there. Mark those spots — they become your study priority.
4. Go back and fill the gaps
   Return to your notes, textbook, or other resources specifically to address the weak spots you identified. Then try explaining those parts again until they come out clearly and confidently.
5. Simplify your language further
   If your explanation still relies on technical terms or complex phrasing, push yourself to break it down even more. A good test: could someone with no background in the subject follow your explanation? This level of simplification forces genuine understanding rather than surface familiarity.
6. Add analogies and examples
   Try to connect the concept to something concrete or familiar. Generating your own examples — rather than memorizing ones from the textbook — is a strong indicator that you truly understand the material rather than just recognizing it.
7. Teach it to an actual person, if possible
   A roommate, classmate, or friend doesn't need to be in your class. Teaching a real person adds a layer of accountability — they'll ask questions, look confused, or push back in ways that reveal whether your understanding holds up under pressure.

Information on this site has been adapted from learning strategies presented by the Louisiana State University Center for Academic Success, Catalyze Your Success at the University of Washington Department of Chemistry, and the book "Teach Students How to Learn" by Saundra Yancy McGuire, Stylus Publishing (2021).