Talk like a scientist or expert

Although most of us can list the big inventions of the last century, very few of us can explain the theories. Think electromagnetism, nanotechnology, quantum dynamics, thermodynamics, nuclear fission or fluid dynamics.

Now, thanks to on-line encyclopedias such as Wikipedia and websites with interactive models, most of us can go on-line and learn about the theories for ourselves.

Knowledge that took centuries for the best brains in the world to discover and turn into well-tested theories can now be acquired in an afternoon by almost anyone.

But the act of observing a colorful, interactive model all on your own, may be just as ineffective as trying to memorize the old paper-based models they replace. Medical students, motor car mechanics and computer programmers can attest to the complexity/difficulty of rote learning new families of concepts, what they mean and how they connect to each other.

But there is a more effective way.

When you discuss a model/theory with others, the concepts become associated with concepts we already know. Over time, as we use the words, we strengthen the neuronal connections associated with the concepts, and so our own personal Google - our frontal lobes - has less trouble finding stuff when we need it.

In this way, learning shifts from being a left brain/hippocampus activity to a right brain problem solving/sensemaking approach.

By playing with and talking about any of the tens of thousands of models that your will find on-line you can start to think/act/talk like a scientist, mathematician, geographer, writer or the expert you would like to be. For example, How Stuff Works is a treasure trove of working models which you can link to and explore with others as shown in this image

Theories and models have come to have a life of their own. We often treat them as the real thing. The computer simulation, the town plan, the business spreadsheet, the script for a play, an orchestral piece, the steps for a dance, a shopping list, the cargo manifest or an airline ticket with its destinations and flights. They all represent something else.

What begins as a vague concept can grow up into a theory or a model and become a psychological tool that can be used initially by a handful of experts or professional few, but at a later stage of development by novices who learn the specialized language. At the same time a lexicon is developed. We name the parts of the technologies/tools to explain the ideas/methods to the novices which contributes to the further development and the spread of the language associated with the tool.


Here's an example of a method to discuss how an engine works:

1. Go to How Stuff Works and look at the engine simulation
2. Make a list of all the parts of the engine, e.g. piston, valve
3. Choose one engine part. Name the part and describe what you think it does.
4. Choose another engine part. Name the part and describe what it does. Improve on other people's ideas.
5. You are a mechanic and you have to explain how an engine works to an apprentice. In 30 words or less describe how an engine works.
6. What improvements do we need to make to our descriptions of how an engine works?
7. Use the best descriptions of how an engine works to improve your description of how an engine works.
8. What did you discover/learn today?