effective learning (& teaching)

Effective Learning(& Teaching)

Sharafat Ibn Mollah Mosharraf

Software Engineer,Therap (BD) Ltd.

[email protected]

The WH-Questions for Learning

● Why● What● How● Where● When

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The WH-Questions for Learning...● Why

1. Why do we have to learn this?● What

2. What is it?4. What are the other available options?

● How3. How does it work?5. How is it different (as well as better / worse) than the other available options?

● Where6.1. Where should this be used?

● When6.2. When should this be used?


Example Learning Object● Java synchronized keyword● Example usage of synchronized keyword:

public class SynchronizedCounter { private int c = 0;

public synchronized void increment() { c++; }

public synchronized void decrement() { c--; }

public synchronized int value() { return c; }

}


The Why Part● Why

1. Why do we have to learn this?Answer: Understand Race condition.

public class UnsynchronizedCounter { private int c = 0;

public void increment() { c++; }

public void decrement() { c--; }

public int value() { return c; }

}


The What Part - 1st Question

● Why1. Why do we have to learn this?

● What2. What is it? public class SynchronizedCounter {

private int c = 0;




}

Answer: Putting the synchronized keyword before the method name prevents concurrent access to the method.


The How Part - 1st Question

● Why1. Why do we have to learn this?

● What2. What is it?

● How3. How does it work?

Answer: Understand the intricacies of locking.

public class SynchronizedCounter { private int c = 0;




}


The What Part - 2nd Question● Why



● How3. How does it work?

public synchronized class SynchronizedCounter { private int c = 0;



}

public void do() {

//some statements synchronized {

//a few statements}

//some more statements}

Answer: Can't we put the synchronized keyword before the class name or even just a block of statements?


The How Part - 2nd Question● Why




Answer: Understand how method synchronization is better than class synchronization but worse than synchronizing group of statements.


The How Part - 2nd Question...public class SynchronizedCounter {

private int c = 0;



}

public synchronized class SynchronizedCounter { private int c = 0;



}

public void do() {

//some log statements synchronized {

//a few statements}

//some activity publishing statements}

Method Synchronization

Class Synchronization Statement Block Synchronization


The Where Part● Why





Answer: To the part of code where concurrent access might occur.


The When Part● Why






Answer: Understand when to use method level and block level synchronization.


The Common Part● Why







Characteristics of an Example

● Precise, to the point○ The more useless information you get, the more

your chance of missing the actual point.● Concise

○ Lengthy examples make one feel sleepy...● Must be based on something the audience is

familiar with○ Surely you don't want to have the 'Rover Robot' as

an example of an object!● Easy-to-understand

○ It's the ultimate outcome of the above points.


Effective Teaching (Problem-Solving Style) [Don't confuse with Gangnam Style!!]

When teaching a new topic,● Start with something the audience is familiar

with.● Point out its limitations, failure cases etc.

○ Make sure to clearly identify the root cause of limitation/failure.

● Discuss possible solutions for overcoming the root cause and thus the limitations.

● Discuss the difference of the various solutions, their shortcomings, remedy and so on.


Effective Memorization

● Find out why something is named as it's named.○ Knowing the justification for naming something helps

memorize about what it means or does.● Know the subtle differences (if exists) among

similar things / terminologies.○ For example, the difference between function

parameter and function argument.○ This also enables one to use appropriate term in

appropriate places.


Learning / Teaching the Big Picture

● Know the ultimate goal / target / objective.● Know why that should be learnt.● Know a shallow overview of the steps.● Start learning a step in details, following the

approach discussed in this presentation.● When moving to the next step, know why

you need to move to it and why you shouldn't move to other available steps before this one. (i.e., know the link between steps)


Learning Languages / Frameworks

● Method 1○ Read all topics in depth○ Take a big project and implement it.

● Method 2○ Read a topic in depth○ Implement it in code○ Progress...

● Method 3○ Read all topics in short (i.e., knowing what topics are

available, what they mean and why do you need those).

○ Take a big project but start it small.○ While implementing each part, learn it in depth.


effective learning (& teaching)

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