In a constantly evolving world, education must adapt to effectively prepare students for the future. At University 365, we have incorporated the Feynman Method into our pedagogy to revolutionize learning. But what is the Feynman Method, and why is it so effective? Let's explore it together.
What is the Feynman method, and why is it effective?
The Feynman method, named after physicist Richard Feynman (Nobel laureate in physics), is a learning technique based on explaining concepts in simple language and the ability to convey them to others. The idea is that if you can explain something in a simple way, then you truly understand it. In other words, if you seek to communicate what you have understood and learned to someone who is not yet expected to know the subject and lacks the prerequisites to understand it (like a 12-year-old child), then you develop powerful abilities to enhance your own understanding. This method is particularly effective because it forces the learner to clarify their thoughts, identify areas of confusion, and strengthen their understanding by revisiting course content if necessary.
My experience of over 20 years in higher education has led me to apply, in a certain way, the Feynman method through what I had named "knowledge-transmission" or "knowledge-sharing.
Today, at University 365, we have taken into account technological advancements, especially those related to the habits of the younger population and the way knowledge is accessed today: primarily through the internet and short videos.
My experience of over 20 years in higher education led me to apply, albeit unknowingly at the time, the Feynman method in a certain way. This involved asking students to step into the role of teachers themselves and transmit knowledge to their peers. The application of this method yielded spectacular results, but it had several limitations that were challenging to address. Certainly, many students recall the remarkable progress they made by becoming "Certified Trainers" or "Teacher Assistants." They learned communication techniques, public speaking skills, and self-confidence, all while effectively deepening their understanding of the subjects of study. However, there were inequalities since not all students could become teachers, and unfortunately, for various reasons, some of them struggled to provide a sufficiently high-quality performance, thereby impacting the quality of the courses they were responsible for.
Therefore, drawing on the strength of this past experience, we have integrated the UNOP method (University 365 Neuroscience-Oriented Pedagogy), the innovative pedagogy of University 365, strictly applying the Feynman method but tailored to today's technologies and practices.
How has University 365 incorporated the Feynman method into the UNOP method?
At University 365, we have incorporated the Feynman method into our UNOP approach by requiring all our students to create short YouTube videos as a way of "teaching back" the courses they have taken, but this time to a novice audience. During the comprehension phase, students are encouraged to utilize the Feynman method to explain concepts in their own words, using their own presentation tools and simplification techniques, incorporating their own language and editing skills.
Students learn to master their courses by creating videos that are published on YouTube.
Then, they take notes on their explanation, organize it logically, and practice by explaining it to others while creating videos that they must officially publish. This not only reinforces understanding but also enhances students' communication skills. Of course, University 365 provides all the necessary software and instruction to enable students to produce high-quality content.
The neuroscientific evidence supporting the use of the Feynman method in pedagogy
Research in neuroscience has shown that explaining concepts in simple language, as done in the Feynman method, activates specific areas of the brain associated with comprehension and long-term memory. Furthermore, the act of teaching others, which is an integral part of the Feynman method, has been shown to enhance understanding and information retention.
By incorporating the Feynman method into our pedagogy, along with other techniques such as the Pomodoro technique, mind mapping, and holistic success management through the "My Successful Life" program, University 365 provides cutting-edge education that effectively prepares students for the future. Not only do our students gain a deeper understanding of concepts, but they are also better equipped to explain them to others, a crucial skill in today's professional world.
Richard Phillips Feynman (Wikipedia):
Richard Phillips Feynman (/ˈfaɪnmən/; May 11, 1918 – February 15, 1988) was an American theoretical physicist, known for his work in the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, the theory of quantum electrodynamics, the physics of the superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium, as well as his work in particle physics for which he proposed the parton model. For his contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics, Feynman received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965 jointly with Julian Schwinger and Shin'ichirō Tomonaga.
Feynman developed a widely used pictorial representation scheme for the mathematical expressions describing the behavior of subatomic particles, which later became known as Feynman diagrams. During his lifetime, Feynman became one of the best-known scientists in the world. In a 1999 poll of 130 leading physicists worldwide by the British journal Physics World, he was ranked the seventh-greatest physicist of all time.[1]
He assisted in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II and became known to a wide public in the 1980s as a member of the Rogers Commission, the panel that investigated the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Along with his work in theoretical physics, Feynman has been credited with pioneering the field of quantum computing and introducing the concept of nanotechnology. He held the Richard C. Tolman professorship in theoretical physics at the California Institute of Technology.
Feynman was a keen popularizer of physics through both books and lectures, including a 1959 talk on top-down nanotechnology called There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom and the three-volume publication of his undergraduate lectures, The Feynman Lectures on Physics. Feynman also became known through his autobiographical books Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! and What Do You Care What Other People Think?, and books written about him such as Tuva or Bust! by Ralph Leighton and the biography Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman by James Gleick.