learning curves
Mastery over time
A learning curve is the rate at which someone acquires a new skill—originally graphed as progress over time.
A steep learning curve is widely used to mean something difficult to learn, though technically steep indicates rapid improvement.
The phrase often appears when someone faces unfamiliar territory: There's a learning curve with any new software.
Something blocking the way
- plateauFlat highland area
- setbackReverse in progress
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
barrier · bottleneck · struggle · frustration · difficulty spike · complexity · roadblock · trial and error
Developing abilities through practice
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
- hands-on experienceLearning through direct involvement
- trial and errorLearning through repeated attempts
repetition · drilling · exposure · familiarization · mentorship · tutoring · instruction · coaching
Notable points of progress
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- progressionSequential forward movement
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- masteryComplete skill or control
competence · improvement · breakthrough · plateau · setback · acceleration · trajectory · inflection point
Rising at sharp angle
- shallowWithout much depth
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
- dauntingDiscouraging through difficulty
overwhelming · demanding · formidable · intimidating · rigorous · grueling · gentle · manageable
Ability to change shape
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- acclimatizationAdjusting to new conditions
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
assimilation · accommodation · cognitive flexibility · readjustment · familiarity · automaticity · muscle memory · intuition
obstacle
Something blocking the way
- plateauFlat highland area
- setbackReverse in progress
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
hurdle · barrier · bottleneck · struggle · frustration · difficulty spike · complexity · roadblock · trial and error · persistence
training
Developing abilities through practice
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
- hands-on experienceLearning through direct involvement
trial and error · repetition · drilling · exposure · familiarization · mentorship · tutoring · instruction · coaching · feedback
milestones
Notable points of progress
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- progressionSequential forward movement
- proficiencySkilled performance level
mastery · competence · improvement · breakthrough · plateau · setback · acceleration · trajectory · inflection point · threshold
steep
Rising at sharp angle
daunting · overwhelming · demanding · formidable · intimidating · rigorous · grueling · gentle · manageable · moderate
plasticity
Ability to change shape
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- acclimatizationAdjusting to new conditions
adjustment · assimilation · accommodation · cognitive flexibility · readjustment · familiarity · automaticity · muscle memory · intuition · fluency
- Training Barrierslow motivation, skill gaps
- machine learningneural networks, backpropagation, underfitting, CNNs, weights
- lock-inlock-in, path dependence, entrenchment, irreversibility, network effects
- memoryremember, forget, recall, memorize, recollect
- motor skillsmotor skills, fine motor skills, motor control, gross motor skills, walking
- expertiseexpertise, skill, mastery, proficiency, competence
learning curvesintuitive design
Interface requiring no instruction
plug and play · user-friendly · accessibility · simplicity · self-explanatory
learning curvesdeskilling
Reducing job complexity
unlearning · memory decay · mental deterioration · regression · rust
learning curvesinnate ability
Capability possessed from birth
natural talent · plug and play · instinct · overnight success · muscle memory
learning, learned, curve, learner, learns, learners, relearning, distance learning, unlearning