I tend to "learn by doing." I don't really like pointless academic exercises. I need to be shipping stuff.
When I want to learn something new, I'll set up a project, with a definite ship goal, that uses whatever I am studying.
It may not be perfect, when it ships, but it does ship.
Shipping is also learning. There's absolutely nothing to compare with releasing finished product, and supporting it. I've learned a lot of the "soft" skills necessary to ship and support. These are different from simple algorithms or debugging exercises.
When I want to learn something new, I'll set up a project, with a definite ship goal, that uses whatever I am studying.
It may not be perfect, when it ships, but it does ship.
Shipping is also learning. There's absolutely nothing to compare with releasing finished product, and supporting it. I've learned a lot of the "soft" skills necessary to ship and support. These are different from simple algorithms or debugging exercises.