What?

In the context of learning, a fundamental is something that is essential for the effective learning of X.

Here, X represents learning itself. So this page lists the fundamentals for learning “How to Learn Effectively.”

Effective learning meets three criteria:

1. It is highly enjoyable—ideally, it feels addictive in a good way.
2. It leads to competence as the end result.
3. It comes with minimal drawbacks.

A drawback is anything you’d rather avoid: fear, stress, information overload, boredom, cost, effort, hassles, busy work, and so on.

How To Use this List of Fundamentals

1. Select the fundamental from the list that offers the highest payoff for you right now.

2. Learn this fundamental using deliberate practice. Move on when it makes sense—you don’t need to master it perfectly before shifting your focus.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2. You’ll often bounce between fundamentals as your needs shift or as connections between them become more obvious. Over time, aim to progress from novice → beginner → intermediate → advanced → expert—but only as far as your context requires.

4. When you’ve mastered a fundamental, check it off the list. You can also use notes or partial checkmarks if you’re still working on it.

The List of Fundamentals

This list presents all the essential (fundamental) parts of learning effectively. The categories are collectively exhaustive and mutually exclusive. Together, they form a complete and organized structure.

1. Foundations of Learning

• X = Something that can be Learned
• What is Learning?
• Learning
• Neuroplasticity
• Automaticity
• Learning with High Payoffs
• Payoffs in Learning
• Fundamentals of Learning

2. Purpose, Identity, and Mindsets

• Goals in Learning
• Learner, Teacher, and Practitioner Roles
• Metacognition in Learning
• Grok

3. Core Learning Processes

These are the essential processes used during learning.

Practice and Performance

• Deliberate Practice (DP)
• Systematic Repetitions
• Spaced versus Massed Practice
• Zone of Proximal Development
• Learning by Doing
• Learning in the Real World (Learning by Doing)

Understanding and Thinking

• Good Information for Learning
• Reflective Thinking (RT)
• Analysis in Learning
• Synthesis in Learning

Social and Environmental Inputs

• Imitation
• Imitation Based Learning
• Enriched Environment

Motivation and Emotional Payoffs

• Rewards in Learning
• Reward Based Learning

4. Knowledge and Skill Mastery

• Knowledge
• Performance
• How To Do X Well

5. Language and Conceptual Frameworks

• Concepts
• Nomenclature

6. Evaluation and Improvement

These fundamentals support ongoing growth through feedback and metrics.

• Feedback
• Assessment
• Measurement of Learning
• Evaluation
• How Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation, Work Together