If You Can’t Explain It, You Don’t Understand It: The Feynman Technique

"If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it yourself" - (often attributed to) Albert Einstein.

What is the Feynman technique?

This is a great quote to describe the Feynman technique. Its essence is to simplify complex concepts to ensure true understanding. It was named after an American theoretical physicist, Richard Feynman. He believed that the best way to deeply understand complex concepts was to teach it to someone else. 

But the key is that you teach it to a child. This means you can’t use complicated vocabulary, but have to think of simple comparisons that keep the meaning accurate. For example, to teach a child what chemical reactions are, you could say: “Atoms are like LEGO pieces.

A chemical reaction is when you take them apart and rebuild them into something new.”

If you can think of a simple comparison like this - congratulations, you understand the topic!

How and why does it work?

The method consists of the following four steps:

1. Choose a concept and study it. You can decide how you learn it. For example, you can blurt it, make a mind map, etc. 

2. Teach it to a child. Explain the concept as if you are teaching it to a 6-year-old. Avoid jargon (specialized terminology). Using simple language forces you to understand the underlying concepts, not just memorize vocabulary. 

3. Identify knowledge gaps. Review your explanation to find areas where you got stuck, used complex language, or stumbled. Return to your book to check out what you missed or didn’t understand clearly yet and write the missed information down with a different coloured pen.

4. Go over the concept until you feel like a master and can answer questions and explain it easily, even without notes.

This method works because it forces you to actively process information instead of just reading or memorizing it. While you’re teaching somebody else you notice pieces of information you missed, understand the correct order of a process, and start thinking of follow-up questions. You realize whether you actually understand the topic.

My experience with it

I learned about the method a few years ago and to this day have used it when studying history, biology, maths, languages, chemistry, physics - every time there’s a difficult concept I’m not sure I understand yet, I pull out this method. 

Personally, I loveeee this method. I think I’ve understood photosynthesis, balancing chemical equations, methods of governance and so many other things just by trying to teach it to somebody else. I’m quite sure nobody has a child at hand to teach, so I’ve mostly taught my plants, water bottles, a teddy bear and even my pillow - at this point, they’re probably ready to pass my tests by now.

Example of how I’ve used it

Here’s an example: Let’s say I was learning about photosynthesis. I tried to explain it in very simple terms:

“Plants take sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide and turn it into chemical energy (glucose), while releasing oxygen as a side-product.” 

At first, I thought this was enough, but when I tried explaining it, I realized I didn’t actually understand how the process worked. I was just memorizing the textbook. So I went back and reviewed it… many, many times. Eventually, I understood it properly. I think also finding explanations from the Internet can help if there are trustworthy sources about your chosen topic. Sometimes also rephrasing the topic can help you understand it. 

Here's an overview of the Feynman technique:

Preparation: None needed, just get started.

Time: It depends with what study method you learn the topic with, but usually the teaching doesn't take much time. Especially when you have learned the topic before. Then all there's left to do is teach and see if you truly undersatnd it.

Efficiency: Sooo efficient for learning difficult concepts fast and thoroughly.

Annoying: Not annoying at all, actually I think it's interesting to try to teach somebody and see how that feels like.

Result: It has amazing results. I've started to understand every. single. difficult concept in my book thanks to this.

Will I try it again: Have started using this a lot and will definitely keep on using this.

Personal tip: To not forget the train of thought (it happens to me a lot), I suggest making a list of points to talk through and if possible, talk it out rather than thinking how you would explain it in your head. That way it's harder to start wandering about other things.

When to use it: To learn difficult concepts and to see whether you truly understand it or are just memorizing vocabulary.

When to NOT use it: For very simple topics. I recommend using the technique for only difficult concepts, because for easy ones it feels a bit pointless.

Conclusion

Overall, I think the Feynman Technique is a great way to truly understand difficult topics, because you have to try to explain a topic in simpler words that even a younger audience also understands. This is your chance to release your inner teacher - even if your only students are a water bottle and a pillow!