Learning by teaching

Learning by teaching

Explain it as if you were teaching someone else.

Purpose

Explaining a concept in your own words is one of the most effective ways to check your understanding. Teaching someone else (even an AI) reveals gaps, strengthens memory, and builds confidence.    

Explanation

Learning-by-teaching is a highly effective way to understand something deeply. Explaining an idea to someone else forces you to organise your thoughts and identify what you know, and what you don’t. AI can play the role of a curious classmate who asks questions and gives feedback, helping you strengthen your understanding and fill any gaps.  

Example Prompt

“Hello! I'm studying for a BSc in Sports Therapy at a UK university. I'm trying to learn about V̇O₂ max. For this, can you imagine you’re Sam, a third-year Sport and Exercise Science student, and I’m your classmate. Today, we are studying V̇O₂ max. I’d like to explain my understanding of it to you, and I want you to ask questions as if you were a student learning this for the first time. Can you help me by identifying any gaps or misconceptions in my explanation?”   

AI response  

Absolutely! I’d love to help with that. Go ahead and explain your understanding of V̇O₂ max as if I’m Sam, your classmate. I’ll listen carefully and then ask questions or point out anything that seems unclear, incomplete, or potentially inaccurate—just like a curious student trying to wrap their head around the concept for the first time.

Whenever you're ready, let's hear your explanation!

Follow-on Prompt

 V̇O2 max, refers to the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilise during intense exercise. It is measured in millilitres per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml/kg/min) and is an indicator of aerobic fitness. The higher the V̇O2 max, the more oxygen a person can use, and the better their aerobic fitness. Athletes often aim to increase their V̇O2 max because it can enhance endurance and overall performance. 

AI Further response

Thanks, that’s a solid start, Sam! You’ve captured the basic definition of V̇O₂ max well. Now, as your classmate trying to understand this for the first time, here are a few questions and thoughts that might help deepen or clarify your explanation:

🧠 Questions from “Sam” (your classmate):

  • “You said it’s measured in ml/kg/min—why is it normalized to body weight?”
    Does that mean someone who weighs more will always have a higher V̇O₂ max?
  • “Is V̇O₂ max the only thing that determines endurance performance?”
    I’ve heard of lactate threshold and running economy—how do those fit in?
  • “How is V̇O₂ max actually measured?”
    Is it just a number from a fitness watch, or do you need lab equipment?
  • “Can V̇O₂ max change over time?”
    If I train hard, how much can I realistically improve it?
  • “Is a higher V̇O₂ max always better?”
    Like, could someone have a high V̇O₂ max but still not be a great athlete?

    • 🔍 A few areas you might expand or clarify:

    • Mechanism: You could briefly mention that V̇O₂ max reflects the combined efficiency of the heart, lungs, blood, and muscles in transporting and using oxygen.
    • Limitations: It might help to note that while V̇O₂ max is a useful indicator, it’s not the sole predictor of performance—especially in sports where technique, strategy, or anaerobic capacity matter.
    • Measurement methods: A quick mention of direct (lab-based gas analysis) vs. indirect (field tests like the beep test or Cooper test) could be helpful.

    Taking it Further

    After receiving the AI’s feedback:

    • Rewrite your explanation using what you’ve learned, this helps strengthen your memory and improve clarity.
    • Teach it again to a new audience: Ask AI to act as a non-science student, a curious teenager, or even a journalist. Adapt your language so it’s clear and engaging for that audience.
    • Add a twist: Ask AI to challenge you with misconceptions from that audience’s perspective (e.g., “Isn’t V̇O₂ max just how strong your lungs are?”).
    • Say it out loud: Teaching aloud (even to yourself) activates different parts of your brain and helps reinforce understanding.

    Where to next?

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