It was 2017 when I first learned about the Feynman method. Richard P. Feynman said that if you have understood something, then you can explain it to someone in a simple language. And that is the crux of the Feynman method of studying. I used the Feynman method since then to teach myself complicated topics while preparing for GATE. I would learn a topic, I would wait for a few minutes, imagine that I have to take a class for absolute laymen the next day. I would take an empty paper and write on it a script that explains the topic to laymen in simple terms. This technique really helped me understand several topics deeply.

But why does this help us understand concepts better? Learning theory answers this question by defining understanding as encoding concepts into memory such that one can easily recall various pieces of information related to the concept. Understanding also means that you make connections with pre-existing concepts, so that you can recall them in context of this new concept and vice-versa, effectively resulting in multiple routes through your existing understanding of the world to the new information.

The encoding scheme might be (a) shallow, or (b) deep. While shallow encoders only look at the words superficially, those who deeply process the meaning of what they read, watch, or hear about concepts they are trying to learn create deep encodings. And I conjecture that the Feynman method forces one to create deep encodings by the sole process of translating ideas expressed in complicated language to the same ideas expressed in simpler language. The key being that the language changes, but the idea remains the same (thus enforcing us to understand the meaning, and keeping it same). This effort also creates long lasting memories.

What I think may improve the Feynman method, especially for anyone who's bilungual is to study the concept in one language, and explain in another. By using Feynman's method, we are converting from a high level language to a lower level language, like a compiler. But translating to another language requires more effort, as it requires both encoding and decoding in a different language. Thus, I believe this will be better at making deeper encodings.

One final improvement that I think comes from my experience of reading research papers is trying to find the gaps in your own understanding by asking questions that you cannot yet answer based on your current understanding of the concept. And then trying to expand your understanding, trying to fill the gaps by seeking material that you have consumed until this point. This is especially possible in the current era, with so much information available on the internet.

In conclusion, I have found the Feynman method very effective when studying, especially I don't like studying anything superficially. This is one reason that I am writing this blog, I am trying to learn by teaching you. I believe the Feynman method can improve the quality of understanding, however it will be a slow process and may require multiple spaced repetitions and may need to be combined with other effective memory encoding methods like drawing (visual encoding along with associated movement to create strong memory traces). I think anyone studying anything should consider applying the Feynman method to their own studies if their time constraints permit.