Learning Curves
Mar 13, 2019 15:07:54 #
Just a trivial pet peeve - I often see UHH'ers refer to a software product as having a "steep learning curve," implying that it was hard to learn. That's understandable, since a steep trail is hard to walk. But actually, a product would have a steep learning curve if it were easy to learn! That's because a learning curve plots the number of trials or attempts or practice time on the X axis, and performance or proficiency on the Y axis. If something is easy to learn, you master it in a short time, so your learning curve shows a steep grade. If you can't learn something, your performance stays flat, and so does your learning curve. See the accompanying example of a learning curve.
Mar 13, 2019 15:21:24 #
Yeah, it’s kind of a stupid peeve. Numbers of trials or attempts aren’t the issue. The X axis is the progress in learning and the Y axis is the effort required to achieve that, thus a steeper curve when it takes more effort.
Mar 13, 2019 15:27:58 #
But if you plot the level of complexity on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis, for a given time-frame, the more complex item will have a steeper slope. Ergo, steeper learning curve.
Mar 13, 2019 15:39:40 #
Here's excerpts from Wikipedia:
"A learning curve is a graphical representation of how an increase in learning (measured on the vertical axis) comes from greater experience (the horizontal axis); or how the more someone (or something) performs a task, the better they get at it."
"The familiar expression "a steep learning curve" expresses the notion that the activity is difficult to learn, although a learning curve with a steep start actually represents rapid progress."
Here's the article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_curve
"A learning curve is a graphical representation of how an increase in learning (measured on the vertical axis) comes from greater experience (the horizontal axis); or how the more someone (or something) performs a task, the better they get at it."
"The familiar expression "a steep learning curve" expresses the notion that the activity is difficult to learn, although a learning curve with a steep start actually represents rapid progress."
Here's the article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_curve
Mar 13, 2019 15:43:33 #
I understand your peeve. I have many like that. Unfortunately many words and phrases have accepted meanings outside their definitions. I would prefer: Simple to learn but hard to master or spent three weeks and still make the darn thing work.
Apropos of nothing, are you an engineer?
Apropos of nothing, are you an engineer?
Mar 13, 2019 15:51:45 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
I understand your peeve. I have many like that. Unfortunately many words and phrases have accepted meanings outside their definitions. I would prefer: Simple to learn but hard to master or spent three weeks and still make the darn thing work.
Apropos of nothing, are you an engineer?
Apropos of nothing, are you an engineer?
Yep. Industrial Engineer.
Mar 13, 2019 15:52:34 #
Mar 13, 2019 15:54:25 #
Steep learning curve is somewhat subjective - some people are more analyical, or spatial, or artistic in their brain function and that will affect how they learn things, including photographic techniques or design. You know those iq tests where they show you a folded-out 3D object and ask yoiu to choose what solid object it would make? I am terrible at those. I can figure out simple ones, but if they add parameters like which side is shaded I would have to cut the shape out and assemble it. I can put together IKEA furniture, but have to refer to the diagram over and over again because I have trouble with visualization. But I can follow a recipe and even improvise, while my spatially-literate husband has trouble boiling an egg.
So learning curves for different tasks are shaped different depending on the thinking process of the individual learning and the task at hand.
So learning curves for different tasks are shaped different depending on the thinking process of the individual learning and the task at hand.
Mar 13, 2019 17:36:12 #
DWU2 wrote:
Just a trivial pet peeve - I often see UHH'ers ref... (show quote)
So glad that you explained that.
Mar 14, 2019 07:09:49 #
Yes, that's one of the many inaccuracies common in daily speech. A steep learning curve is good, but "steep" sounds difficult.
Mar 14, 2019 07:41:05 #
Mar 14, 2019 07:47:46 #
DWU2 wrote:
Yep. Industrial Engineer.
Well, sometimes ya just gotta go with the flow. I think most people “could care less” about the accuracy of you’re explanation.
(and that’s one of my pet peeves)😊
Mar 14, 2019 08:11:30 #
This all started with the expression "I'm on the steep part of the learning curve", which got shortened to "A steep learning curve" or even "it's a learning curve" by people who have no idea what a learning curve is. It happens to all sorts of sayings, which get shortened from the original, like "pride goes before a fall", or "gilding the lily" (both biblical).
Mar 14, 2019 09:51:53 #
[quote=rocar7]This all started with the expression "I'm on the steep part of the learning curve", which got shortened to "A steep learning curve" or even "it's a learning curve" by people who have no idea what a learning curve is. It happens to all sorts of sayings, which get shortened from the original, like "pride goes before a fall", or "gilding the lily" (both biblical).[/quote
Sounds good but got me thinking: if it all started with : “I’m on the steep part of the learning curve”, how did the guy who said that know where he was on the curve? How did he even know there was a curve? Maybe it wasn’t a curve at all, just a “tough row to hoe” or just the first of many “bridges to cross”
Just sayin’😊
Sounds good but got me thinking: if it all started with : “I’m on the steep part of the learning curve”, how did the guy who said that know where he was on the curve? How did he even know there was a curve? Maybe it wasn’t a curve at all, just a “tough row to hoe” or just the first of many “bridges to cross”
Just sayin’😊
Mar 14, 2019 11:19:39 #
Have a look at the diagram DWU2 posted. If you’re on the steep part of the learning curve you are learning quickly with more to learn in the near future.
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