Learning How to Learn - by Barbara Oakley & Terrence Sejnowski & Alistair McConville (Paperback)

About the Book

A surprisingly simple way for students to master any subject, based on the bestselling book "A Mind for Numbers" and its wildly popular online companion course, Learning How to Learn. Filled with illustrations, application questions, and exercises, this book makes learning easy and fun.

Book Synopsis

A surprisingly simple way for students to master any subject--based on one of the world's most popular online courses and the bestselling book A Mind for Numbers

A Mind for Numbers and its wildly popular online companion course "Learning How to Learn" have empowered more than two million learners of all ages from around the world to master subjects that they once struggled with. Fans often wish they'd discovered these learning strategies earlier and ask how they can help their kids master these skills as well. Now in this new book for kids and teens, the authors reveal how to make the most of time spent studying.

We all have the tools to learn what might not seem to come naturally to us at first--the secret is to understand how the brain works so we can unlock its power. This book explains:

• Why sometimes letting your mind wander is an important part of the learning process
• How to avoid "rut think" in order to think outside the box
• Why having a poor memory can be a good thing
• The value of metaphors in developing understanding
• A simple, yet powerful, way to stop procrastinating

Filled with illustrations, application questions, and exercises, this book makes learning easy and fun.

Review Quotes

"A fun, practical book about how to help your kids build the most important skill in life: the skill of learning."
--Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take, Originals, and Option B with Sheryl Sandberg

"Young people are expected to learn, but are rarely taught how. This book does that job beautifully. Based on the latest research, Learning How to Learn conveys ideas and strategies simply and directly, covering all the bases. I wish someone had given me this book when I was in middle or high school. If you have (or know) children this age, do them a favor and give them this book."
--Henry L. Roediger III, coauthor of Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

"The authors' neuroscience-grounded, yet real-life, approach will be of value to learners of any age."
--Adam Gazzaley, MD, PhD, Professor in Neurology, Physiology, and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco

"In this highly readable and lively book, the authors illustrate how the brain and behavioral dynamics underlie effective learning--and they do so in a way that young learners will find understandable and even entertaining."
--Robert A. Bjork, Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles

"Learning How to Learn shows kids and teens that a little knowledge of how their brain works goes a long way in helping them improve their learning and studying success. This unique book is full of fun learning strategies--I highly recommend it!"
--Paula Tallal, PhD, Board of Governors Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience at Rutgers University and cofounder of Scientific Learning Corporation

"I devoured Learning How to Learn in three sittings (I needed time for diffuse thinking, active recall, and sleep). A terrific book!"
--Jeff Sandefer, cofounder of Acton Academy

"This book helps students understand how to learn more effectively. My 10th grade daughter especially enjoys applying the technique of 'sleeping on it' to enhance her recall."
--Todd Troutman, Dean, Science and Mathematics, Mott Community College

About the Author

Barbara Oakley is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and Ramón y Cajal Distinguished Scholar of Global Digital Learning at McMaster University. Her research involves bioengineering with an emphasis on neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Dr. Oakley teaches the massive open online courses (MOOCs) "Learning How to Learn" and "Mindshift," alongside legendary neuroscientist Terrence Sejnowski. Dr. Oakley has received many awards for her teaching, including the American Society of Engineering Education's Chester F. Carlson Award for technical innovation in education, the National Science Foundation New Century Scholar Award, and the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education.

Terrence Sejnowski is the Francis Crick Professor at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where he also directs the Computational Neurobiology Laboratory. He is among only twelve living scientists who have been elected to the Institute of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering.

Alistair McConville is the deputy head of Bedales School, one of England's most prestigious private K-12 schools.