Use the Feynman Technique to check your understanding of something you have studied. Explain the idea without looking at the material, identify where you get stuck, look up what you need, and try explaining it again. Then test your understanding by applying the idea to a new example.
Best for
People trying the Feynman Technique for the first time who want a guided practice session
People who can follow the material as they read but struggle to explain it with the book closed
Students and professionals who want to find gaps in their understanding and spend less time rereading
Problems solved
The topic is too broad, and you are unsure what to explain in one attempt
You get stuck explaining without the text but cannot pinpoint the gap in your understanding
You reread from the beginning, yet your second explanation remains unclear
Outcomes
Narrow a large topic to a question you can explain in two or three minutes
Give a first explanation in your own words, without looking at the material
Identify the main gap in your explanation and turn it into a specific question to investigate
Fill the gap, explain the idea again, and identify what improved between the two versions
Use a new example to show where the same cause or process applies
Highlights
Five lessons cover choosing a question, explaining it, filling a gap, and applying what you learned
Follow the familiar example of drying wet clothes as an incomplete explanation becomes clearer
Check your understanding with flashcards, explanations in your own words, and questions about your reasoning
Compare your first and revised explanations to see whether your understanding has changed
