Day 28 - Proceduralization

Introduction

• Course: How to learn anything course by Play-Doh University
• Instructor: Brandon Stover
• Focus: Science-based tools to accelerate learning
• Objective: Convert declarative knowledge into automatic procedural knowledge
• Technique Number: 14 in the learning toolbox

Key Concepts

Declarative vs. Procedural Learning

• Declarative Learning:
  • Quick to learn, conscious, involves working memory
  • Often used initially in learning
• Procedural Learning:
  • Converts knowledge into automatic processes
  • Less susceptible to forgetting
  • Involves unconscious learning
  • Develops over repeated practice

Conversion Process

• From Declarative to Procedural:
  • Involves practicing a set of procedures
  • Knowledge becomes automatic and unconscious
• Example:
  • Learning to type: starts with declarative, moves to motor skills (procedural)

Scientific Insights

• Initial belief: Procedural learning involved only motor skills
• Recent findings: Also involved in habits and cognitive skills (e.g., language, math)
• Black Box Nature:
  • Procedural system operates unconsciously
  • Receives input from working memory and senses

Benefits of Proceduralization

• Develops habits and intuition
• Allows performance under stressful situations
• Facilitates faster and effortless task execution
• Enables recognition of patterns and relationships

Practical Examples

• Motor skills: Riding a bike, playing an instrument
• Cognitive skills: Solving math problems, language fluency

Conclusion

• Procedural knowledge enhances learning efficiency
• Encourages quicker application of learned skills
• Important to integrate proceduralization in learning strategies

These notes cover the core ideas and scientific basis of proceduralization as discussed in the lecture, highlighting the shift from conscious to automatic learning processes and its advantages. These are essential for effective learning and mastery of skills.