I have a very limited understanding of the exact brain processes involved in learning, vis a vis dendrites, axons etc, but I’ve read some interesting books on the psychology of learning and on some of the physical processes involved in the workings of the brain. It’s certainly a fascinating subject.
My very basic understanding is that all new tasks which we have to learn initially require conscious explicit effort in the cerebrum (the large outer folds of the brain), before eventually becoming embedded in implicit memory in the cerebellum, where they can be recalled with minimal conscious input.
There’s also the well-worn maxim ‘neurons which fire together, wire together’, meaning that constant repetition of the same brain processes creates permanent connections. The brain is incredibly plastic, even into old age apparently!
One important factor in this learning process is consolidation. So, cram, cram, cram new information and then pause and allow for consolidation, whereby the new information starts to be absorbed unconsciously and can eventually become implicit (or second nature), recalled from the cerebellum (the more evolutionarily primitive part of the brain).
As a musician who has to work a lot with memory and extreme fine-tuning of technique and nuance, I often find the cram and consolidate method extremely effective. Often, it’s the time spent sleeping, walking, engaging in totally unrelated activities, which allows muscle memory to form, so I can then go back to the music and my hands will ‘know’ what to do, freeing my conscious brain to engage in other activities whilst I play. This can also be referred to as a ‘flow state’.
This can be applied to any manner of tasks, whether its speedcubing, coding, archery or tying your shoelaces.