The 72-Hour Sprint
Exercise 2: The 72-Hour Sprint
Layers Used: Layer 2 (Reasoning Receipt), Layer 6 (Iterative Drafts)
You will use the Collaboration Log format from Chapter 6, Exercise 2, now tracking a learning process instead of a business problem.
What You Do
You have 72 hours and full access to claude.ai, chatgpt.com, and the open web. Learn enough about your assigned domain to produce a competent analysis of a real problem within that domain (the instructor provides the specific problem at hour 0). Maintain a Learning Log throughout.
A competent analysis of the assigned problem in your new domain (500-800 words). A complete Learning Log in table format with at least 20 entries spanning the 72 hours. A mid-point reflection (written at hour 36) assessing: Am I on track? What needs to change?
Learning Log format:
| Time | What I Studied | Resource Used | Key Insight | Confusion or Error | Self-Correction | AI Usage (what I asked, what I accepted/rejected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hour 1 | ||||||
| Hour 3 | ||||||
| ... |
I have been learning [assigned domain] for 72 hours from scratch. I
produced an analysis of a specific problem and maintained a complete
Learning Log. Please:
(1) Rate the competence of my analysis -- would a domain professional
consider this beginner, intermediate, or passable work? What errors
did I make that reveal a beginner's misunderstanding?
(2) Analyze my Learning Log: was my learning path efficient? Where did I
waste time? Where did I make productive pivots?
(3) Rate my AI usage throughout the sprint: did I use AI as a learning
accelerator or a crutch? Did I verify what AI taught me or blindly
accept it?
(4) Identify the 3 biggest knowledge gaps remaining in my analysis.
(5) Based on my Learning Log, rate my meta-learning skill from
Beginner / Developing / Proficient / Advanced.
My analysis: [paste].
My Learning Log: [paste].
Mid-point reflection: [paste].
Finally, complete the Thinking Score Card for this exercise:
Independent Thinking (1-10), Critical Evaluation (1-10),
Reasoning Depth (1-10), Originality (1-10), Self-Awareness (1-10).
For each score, give a one-sentence justification.
What This Teaches You
You learn the difference between studying and learning. The Learning Log reveals your actual learning process — its efficiency, its waste, its breakthroughs. AI feedback on your domain analysis tells you honestly where you reached competence and where you are still a beginner pretending to understand.