The art of learning | Sihan Lin | TEDxHWSSH Youth

Key Concepts:

• Art of Learning: Defined as the action of receiving and perceiving information.
• Struggles in Learning: Students face exhaustion, lack of direction, and feeling overwhelmed.
• Teacher's Frustration: Arises from students' inability to "feel" or connect with the subject matter.
• Music as an Example: Understanding music involves more than just technical skills; it requires emotional connection.
• Biology as an Example: Mastering cell biology requires dedication and effort, but yields valuable knowledge.
• Galileo's Example: Perseverance in the face of adversity and challenging conventional wisdom.
• Temporary Suffering for Permanent Knowledge: The idea that hard work and dedication in learning are worth the long-term benefits.

1. Introduction and Personal Anecdote:

• Jason from 9G introduces the topic of "The Art of Learning."
• He humorously recounts how his English teacher, Miss Sheila, encouraged him to participate in the TED talk after he submitted an essay with high-level adjectives.
• He expresses initial bewilderment and pessimism about the theme but decides to share his perspectives.

2. The Struggles of Learning:

• Learning is often perceived as difficult, with students struggling in the "ocean of knowledge."
• Students may feel exhausted, lost, or even "drowned" in information.
• Teachers can sometimes feel like "gravity," making learning seem burdensome.
• Examples:
  • English: Learning vocabulary can be a struggle.
  • Music: Learning key signatures can be a "nightmare."
• The speaker shares a drawing depicting his fear of a mad music teacher (Mr. Brown) who gets angry when students don't understand the music.

3. The Teacher's Perspective and the "Art of Learning":

• The speaker researches why teachers get frustrated and discovers that it's often because students "can't feel the music."
• Examples of other people struggling:
  • A novelist who refuses to share his work because he thinks it's not good enough.
  • A guitarist who lacks motivation to practice because he thinks he can't play good riffs.
• The speaker defines "learning" as the "action of receiving and perceiving information."
• Example: Having lasagna for lunch is receiving information, while considering its taste, metaphors, and cooking process is perceiving information.

4. Music as an Example of the Art of Learning:

• Music is defined as an "audible fancy medium of art" that entrances people.
• The speaker references the book "How Music Works" by David Bryan, which explores the fascinating aspects of music in a psychological and historical context.
• Mastering music leads to satisfaction for both the student and the teacher.
• The speaker makes a music joke about G major and C major chords.

5. Biology as an Example of the Art of Learning:

• Cell biology is presented as another favorite subject, focusing on cells as the smallest living organisms.
• The speaker shows fascinating pictures of cells.
• Mastering cell biology also leads to satisfaction for both the student and the teacher (Mr. Jacob).
• However, biology is complex and requires significant effort, leading to potential despair and feelings of insufficient brain capacity.

6. Temporary Suffering for Permanent Knowledge:

• The speaker acknowledges the challenges of studying biology, such as sitting at a desk for long hours and reading thick textbooks.
• He argues that the "temporary suffer on mental grants us permanent knowledge," making it worth the price.
• He contrasts this with Galileo, who suffered greatly for supporting heliocentrism.
• Galileo's example inspires the speaker to emphasize the importance of challenging conventional wisdom.
• Quote: "We cannot only write black on white but also sometimes white on black."

7. Conclusion:

• The speaker concludes by emphasizing the value of perseverance and dedication in learning, even when faced with challenges and temporary suffering.
• He encourages the audience to embrace the "art of learning" by actively receiving and perceiving information, connecting with the subject matter, and challenging conventional wisdom.