Top 8 'Abstract-Concept-Grasping' Apps to learn from for free - Goh Ling Yong
Hey everyone,
Ever felt like you've hit a brick wall trying to learn something new? You're reading the textbook, watching the lecture, but the core idea just won't click. It feels fuzzy, out of reach, like trying to grab smoke. This is especially true for abstract concepts—things like calculus, recursion in programming, philosophical arguments, or the principles of quantum mechanics. The problem isn't that you're not smart enough; it's that these ideas haven't been translated into a language your brain can easily process.
Our minds thrive on the concrete. We learn by seeing, doing, and connecting new information to what we already know. Abstract concepts, by their nature, lack a physical form. That's where the right tools can be revolutionary. They act as translators, turning dense, abstract information into interactive visuals, intuitive simulations, and engaging stories. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we're all about finding smarter, more effective ways to learn, and leveraging technology is a huge part of that.
That's why I’ve curated this list of my top eight free applications and platforms specifically designed to help you grasp the ungraspable. These aren't just flashcard apps; they are powerful cognitive tools that build intuition and make learning feel less like a chore and more like an exploration. Let's dive in and find the perfect tool to help you conquer that concept you've been wrestling with.
1. Khan Academy: The Foundational Pillar
If you've spent any time learning online, you've likely come across Khan Academy. But it’s worth revisiting with a specific focus on how it tackles abstraction. Founded by Sal Khan, its mission is to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. It excels in breaking down complex topics in math, science, and humanities into bite-sized, digestible videos and exercises.
The magic of Khan Academy lies in its simplicity. Sal Khan’s method of talking through a problem while drawing on a digital blackboard mimics a one-on-one tutoring session. This approach deconstructs abstract formulas and processes into a logical, step-by-step narrative. You don't just see the final equation; you witness its construction, understanding the why behind each step. This transforms something intimidating, like the derivative in calculus, from a scary symbol into a tangible concept representing the slope of a curve.
Pro-Tip: Don't just passively watch the videos. Use the mastery learning system. After learning a concept, stick with the practice problems until you can do them consistently without help. If you’re struggling with a concept like negative numbers, don't just learn the rules. Watch the videos on the number line to visualize what it means to subtract a negative number. This builds a robust mental model that serves as a foundation for more advanced algebra.
2. PhET Interactive Simulations: The Digital Science Lab
Created by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman and developed by the University of Colorado Boulder, PhET is a goldmine for anyone studying physics, chemistry, or biology. It’s a collection of hundreds of free, interactive simulations that let you play with concepts that are impossible to see with the naked eye. Want to understand how electricity flows? You can build your own virtual circuits. Curious about the greenhouse effect? You can adjust atmospheric gases and see the temperature change in real-time.
PhET’s power comes from turning abstract scientific laws into a digital playground. Instead of just reading Ohm's Law (V=IR), you can physically drag a slider to increase voltage and watch the current increase. This direct, immediate feedback connects the abstract formula to a concrete, observable outcome. It allows for experimentation without consequence, encouraging you to ask "what if?" and build a deep, intuitive understanding of scientific principles.
Pro-Tip: When using a simulation, start by playing around without any specific goal. Just explore the controls and see what happens. Then, use the built-in challenges or create your own. For example, in the "Forces and Motion" simulation, challenge yourself to stop a moving object at a precise point using friction. This active engagement is far more effective than just reading about the concepts.
3. Brilliant.org: The Interactive Problem-Solver
Brilliant.org takes a unique, active approach to learning, centered on the idea that you learn best by solving problems. While it has a premium subscription, its free tier offers a generous number of daily challenges and access to the first chapter of most courses. This is more than enough to get a taste of its power for grasping abstract STEM concepts, from logic and computer science to quantitative finance.
Instead of lectures, Brilliant presents concepts through a series of interactive puzzles. Each puzzle is a small piece of a larger idea. For example, to teach you about neural networks, it won't start with complex math. It might start with a simple visual puzzle about classifying shapes, gradually adding layers of complexity that mirror how a real neural network "learns." This incremental, hands-on method makes abstract computational or mathematical structures feel intuitive and discoverable.
Pro-Tip: Use Brilliant’s free daily problems as a mental warm-up. They are fantastic for developing flexible thinking. When you start a course, resist the urge to rush through it. Spend time on each interactive element. The goal isn't just to get the right answer, but to understand the pattern and the principle that leads to the answer.
4. 3Blue1Brown: The Mathematical Visualizer
While technically a YouTube channel and not a standalone app, 3Blue1Brown is an indispensable resource that functions as a specialized learning platform. Created by Grant Sanderson, it is a masterclass in mathematical visualization. Grant’s videos tackle some of the most abstract topics in mathematics—linear algebra, calculus, neural networks, and Fourier transforms—and makes them stunningly beautiful and intuitive.
The core philosophy of 3Blue1Brown is to present math with "invention-based" learning in mind, where the visual explanation helps you feel like you could have discovered the concept yourself. He doesn't just show you the formula for a determinant in linear algebra; he shows you visually what it represents—how a transformation squishes or stretches space. This provides a geometric intuition that a textbook alone can rarely offer. You come away not just knowing the concept, but truly understanding it.
Pro-Tip: Don't binge-watch it like a Netflix series. Treat each video like a dense lecture. Pause frequently. Rewind. Try to predict what will happen next. The "Essence of Linear Algebra" and "Essence of Calculus" series are must-watches for any student in those fields. They provide the conceptual "why" that makes all the symbolic manipulations in class finally make sense.
5. SoloLearn: The Code Deconstructor
Learning to code is a journey into abstraction. Concepts like loops, recursion, classes, and pointers don't have direct physical-world counterparts. SoloLearn is a free, mobile-first app designed to make these abstract programming concepts accessible through bite-sized lessons, quizzes, and a supportive community.
SoloLearn breaks down each concept into its smallest possible components. You read a short explanation, then immediately apply it in a simple code-writing exercise. This instant feedback loop is crucial. You learn about a for loop, then immediately write one. This closes the gap between theory and practice, solidifying the abstract pattern in your mind. The app’s "Code Playground" also lets you experiment and see what other users are building, providing inspiration and real-world context for abstract structures.
Pro-Tip: When you learn a new concept, like functions, don't just complete the lesson. Go to the Code Playground and write a few simple functions of your own. Make a function that adds two numbers. Make one that greets a user by name. As I often say in my own work, Goh Ling Yong's philosophy on learning complex skills is rooted in this kind of immediate, small-scale application.
6. Duolingo: The Language Pattern-Builder
Wait, a language app on a list for abstract concepts? Absolutely. Grammar is one of the most abstract systems we interact with daily. Concepts like the subjunctive mood, grammatical gender, or case systems are purely abstract rules that govern communication. Duolingo, with its gamified, repetitive approach, is surprisingly effective at helping you internalize these rules without getting bogged down in dense grammar textbooks.
The app works by exposing you to patterns through massive amounts of repetition. You don't learn the rule for verb conjugation first; you simply conjugate verbs over and over in different sentences until the pattern becomes second nature. It’s an implicit learning process. The app builds the abstract grammatical structure in your mind brick by brick, through practical application rather than theoretical explanation. This makes the abstract feel concrete and usable.
Pro-Tip: Don't ignore the "Tips" or "Guidebook" section for each lesson unit. While Duolingo excels at implicit learning, a quick read of the explicit grammar rule after you’ve practiced it a few times can create a powerful "aha!" moment, connecting the abstract rule to the patterns you've already started to recognize.
7. Google Arts & Culture: The Contextualizer
Abstract concepts aren't limited to STEM. Understanding an artistic movement like Surrealism, a historical period like the Renaissance, or a cultural philosophy like Wabi-Sabi can be incredibly challenging. These are complex webs of ideas, aesthetics, and history. Google Arts & Culture is a phenomenal free tool for making these cultural abstractions tangible.
The app provides incredibly high-resolution "Art Camera" views of famous paintings, virtual tours of museums, and curated articles that connect art, history, and culture. You can zoom in on Van Gogh's Starry Night and see the thick, physical texture of the paint, making the abstract term "impasto" immediately understandable. You can take a virtual walk through the Palace of Versailles while reading about the political ideas that shaped its construction. It provides the rich sensory context that makes abstract cultural concepts come alive.
Pro-Tip: Use the "Search by Color" or "Art Palette" feature. Pick a color you like and see how it has been used in art across different cultures and time periods. This can be a fascinating entry point into understanding how an abstract concept, like the cultural meaning of the color blue, has changed over time.
8. MindMeister: The Idea Mapper
Sometimes, the best way to grasp an abstract concept is to map it out yourself. MindMeister is a collaborative mind-mapping tool with a robust free version that allows you to create up to three mind maps. It's a digital whiteboard for your brain, perfect for deconstructing, organizing, and connecting complex ideas.
When faced with a big, abstract topic like "Existentialism," it's easy to get lost. A mind map lets you put the central idea in the middle and branch out. You can create branches for key philosophers (Sartre, Camus), core tenets (existence precedes essence, freedom, responsibility), key texts, and criticisms. The act of physically (or digitally) arranging these ideas, drawing connections, and color-coding them forces you to clarify your thinking. You are building your own visual representation of the concept, making it your own.
Pro-Tip: Use MindMeister not just for taking notes, but for active recall. After reading a chapter or watching a lecture, open a blank mind map and try to reconstruct the entire concept from memory. This will quickly reveal the gaps in your understanding and is one of the most effective ways to solidify abstract knowledge.
Conclusion: Build Your Scaffolding
The journey from confusion to clarity is rarely a straight line, especially when dealing with the beautifully complex and abstract. But you don't have to make that journey empty-handed. The right tools act as cognitive scaffolding, giving you the structure and support you need to build a lasting understanding.
Whether you're building a virtual circuit in PhET, visualizing a matrix transformation in 3Blue1Brown, or mapping out a philosophical movement in MindMeister, you are actively translating the abstract into the concrete. You are building the mental models that are the true foundation of knowledge.
So, pick one of these tools and tackle a concept that's been bugging you. Play with it, experiment, and be curious.
What are your favorite apps for tackling tough subjects? Did I miss any gems? Share your recommendations in the comments below—I’d love to learn from your experience!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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