coursera course "learning how to learn" taught by barbara oakley

What does Oakley think about online learning?

She believes that when online learning is done well, it not only matches the outcomes that are possible in a classroom but has the potential to surpass it. Oakley thinks that the way educators should teach when online is no longer just an option; it’s the only option.

How does the brain learn?

The brain learns through the declarative system and the procedural system, with each system making neural connections— but neural connections that work slightly differently in your long-term memory. The declarative system takes information from your working memory through the hippocampus into your long-term memory.

How to teach declarative system?

A teacher can best teach using the declarative system through explanations, such as a lecture. The procedural system is taught with student-led active learning, such as through homework or active class exercises. A good instructor knows how to naturally combine these two learning systems in the classroom.

Why is it important to have a lecture?

It’s a crucial way to share information. Lectures are as important as active exercises. In an online setting, having main room lectures and then breakout rooms for smaller, active-learning assignments is one of the best ways to combine both procedural and declarative forms of learning.

What is the science behind how we teach others?

The science behind how we teach others and how we learn ourselves is nothing short of a fascination for many of us. As much of the world moved to online work and study out of necessity and safety, that fascination has only grown deeper.

Is online learning a substitute for face to face learning?

Oakley focuses on the fundamentals of how people learn, combining neuroscience and social behavioral analysis to pinpoint the exact learning processes that lead to stronger outcomes. She believes that when online learning is done well, it not only matches the outcomes that are possible in a classroom but has the potential to surpass it . Oakley thinks that the way educators should teach when online is no longer just an option; it’s the only option.

Do teachers start somewhere?

All teachers start somewhere; not everything comes naturally. There are many solutions available to teach yourself how to be a better teacher. An upcoming specialization we’re developing will explore these techniques.

What to do when you don't want to learn?

When you don’t desire doing/learning something, go through it and just start. The discomfort goes away and, in the long term, this will lead to satisfaction.

Why is it important to practice abstract thinking?

The more abstract something is, the more important it is to practice to create and strengthen neural connections to bring the abstract ideas to reality for you.

Is Coursea free?

Coursea is free to take the class, though there's a paid version if you want a certificate. https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn. That's the course based on the book "A Mind for Numbers" by Barbara Oakley. Haven't taken the class but the book was great.

Is there a course on how to learn?

This is the first lesson on “Learning how to “Learn”, a free course by Coursera. It’s one of the most popular course son the internet apparently.

Is it normal to start a learning session with a negative feeling?

You should realize that it’s perfectly normal to start a learning session with a negative feeling even if you like the subject. It’s how you handle those feelings that matters.

Is Coursera learning good?

You might want to run through the free online Coursera Learning How to Learn course. It's really good. It'll probably feel pretty basic and too slow at first, but stick with it and really put the techniques to use and you'll get a lot out of it.