This past Monday, I had the opportunity to address the Frosh that are entering OC this Fall (600-ish of 'em in the group). I gave them a basic model that can not only help them learn but can also provide them a way to think about different modes of learning (e.g., lecture, reading textbooks, etc.). Here's the visual:

Briefly, the model moves from acquiring knowledge and skills through analysis (taking things apart), then practicing (re-)integrating those pieces into a coherent whole (which requires understanding the relationships of the component parts to one another and the whole), and finally developing "fluency," which one demonstrates by taking what they've learned in one context and applying it not just to that same context but in new and/or different contexts.

Today my son Hagan, who is 10 years old, demonstrated "fluency" with elementary math. We were on our way back from a Starbucks run when he said, "Dad, we need to plan a guys night. We need to invite [my friend, his brother, and his Dad] over for football and Five Guys burgers." I asked, "Why Five Guys? I can grill something." He said, "We need Five Guys because there would be five of us: 3 + 2 = 5, Dad."

Fluency. Well done, son!