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"Steep learning curve. Scores of authors use the phrase “steep learning curve” or “sharp learning curve” in reference to a skill that is difficult to master. Fo
by tw1010 9y ago
"Steep learning curve. Scores of authors use the phrase “steep learning curve” or “sharp learning curve” in reference to a skill that is difficult to master. For example, when referring to the difficulty of learning a complex surgical procedure (endoscopic pituitary surgery), one author team contended that it “requires a steep learning curve” (Koc et al., 2006, p. 299). Nevertheless, from the standpoint of learning theory, these and other authors have it backward, because a steep learning curve, i.e., a curve with a large positive slope, is associated with a skill that is acquired easily and rapidly (Hopper et al., 2007)."
Curve does not mean "slope". I feel like it's the "learning theory" folks that aught to change their terminology for this one.
- racer-v 9y agoI prefer "long learning curve" over "steep" for a task which takes a long time to master: > The term learning curve with meanings of easy and difficult can be described with adjectives like short and long rather than steep and shallow https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Learning_curve§ion=8#%22Steep_learning_curve%22 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Learning_curve&se...
- maroonblazer 9y agoI didn't read this as them equating "slope" with "curve", but rather that the "large positive slope" was an attribute of the curve.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- platz 9y agodefine x and y axes
- analog31 9y agoWhenever someone cites a "steep learning curve," it almost always seems to mean "you will probably give up."
- thaumasiotes 9y ago> Curve does not mean "slope". I feel like it's the "learning theory" folks that aught to change their terminology for this one. Their terminology conforms to the standard usage in mathematics, in which any graphed line is called a "curve".