Category: Learning

Learning/Music/Piano/Teaching

Learning Retention

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Often times, students are taught to practice for n # of minutes or hours, and that repetition is key in order to play a song correctly. However, I realized that if I asked the student to read and play the hardest part of the song first, this becomes more valuable. Why? It removes the frustration and thought of not being able to play the entire piece.

Students will want to keep practicing the easy parts to feel good and confident about learning, and then they tense up when they approach the hard sections. The look of dread and nervousness can be seen on their faces.

What happens is, all the easy parts would be played correctly, and then they stumble on the harder sections and make mistakes. The memory of those mistakes become engrained in their brains and it’s very hard to correct after several repetitions. Imagine the students making those same mistakes throughout the week before their next lesson. The % of successfully playing that song is low.

Piano UX (user experience) tip #1:

If you tackle the difficult scenario first, you remove the uncertainty of success. This builds confidence in your students, since the hardest part is over. As a result, this allows them to develop better learning retention. A positive domino effect naturally evolves as they learn new songs.

Creative/Learning/Teaching/UI/UX

How to Be Creative and Love What You Do

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What have designers done to make it possible to do what they love? I noticed a few patterns over the years.

  1. Visualize – create in your mind what you are trying to design and solve, and share it with others. Be expressive in your designs, and then communicate the experience to your audience that is meaningful to them. Most of the clients I have worked with never know what they really want. The response I usually get is, “I don’t know what I want, but I know what I don’t want… once I see it”. It’s our job to show them what they can’t see.
  2. Don’t be Complacent – dare to try something new. It’s a designer’s job to provide the best solution that will solve a need or problem – this requires stepping out of your comfort zone if you want to really shine. Your designs will be critiqued and challenged. You can back down or stand your ground and make them better. I find that feedback, especially negative ones, will improve your designs. Turn that feedback into a positive challenge.
  3. Have Determination – plan, complete, and stick to the goals you set. It amazes me to see deadlines slip because business owners request new features that add no value. A product is held so long it’s not relevant anymore when released. How can you gauge your success if the product never launches on time? Try this instead: commit to shipping your product, learn from your clients, and then improve the design.

It may seem difficult at first to find a balance between creativity and what clients are demanding from you – their view of a viable, shippable product. You will need to learn to have conviction in your vision, be courageous in your approach, and be determined to reach your goals, regardless of any obstacles thrown your way. Keep these in mind and you will succeed.

Join me in supporting the artists in Brookline MA from April 30 – May 1, 2016, 11am – 5pm: https://www.brooklineopenstudios.com/.

Learning/Reading

How to Learn More Efficiently

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How do we determine what is valuable and worth our time to read? I use these few techniques to help absorb information and accelerate in learning.

  1. Practice reading faster – do it daily. When I’m interested in an article or book I see online, I scan the intro and read the first few paragraphs. If the author managed to keep my interest in that first minute, I will likely continue to read or buy that book. Only read what interests you. You will remember what you learned because you enjoyed it.
  2. Read with your ears – take advantage of audio books. Technology has become so advanced that we can exchange our visual processing for our auditory processing. The industry understands their consumers – people with visual needs and those who want convenience. Listen to a book in the car, during a workout, walking your dog or to your favourite coffee shop.
  3. Create a list of interesting topics to you – research them and be the SME (subject matter expert). Lists are only useful if you are able to cross out the action items. Try having conversations with people about what you learned. You will enriched someone with your new found knowledge, and possibly learn from them as well – if it turns out they are interested in the same topic.

Everyone reads at a different pace; though with practice, you will get better at it. I read about 3 books a week to keep my mind engaged. I have read to children in schools to promote reading, and also read to elders who can longer read themselves. Find out if your local community offers these programs and help someone experience the gift of learning.