Learning how to learn | Barbara Oakley | TEDxOaklandUniversity

Introduction

This tutorial is based on Barbara Oakley’s TEDx talk about effective learning strategies. It aims to help you understand the principles she shares on mastering subjects like math and science, regardless of your previous struggles. By applying these techniques, you can improve your learning process and increase your capacity to absorb complex information.

Step 1: Understand the Brain's Learning Modes

• Focus Mode: This is when you concentrate deeply on a subject. It’s essential for tackling challenging material.
• Diffuse Mode: This is a relaxed state where your mind wanders, allowing for creative thinking and connections to form.

Practical Advice:

• Balance both modes by switching between focused study sessions and breaks where you allow your mind to wander.
• Engage in activities like walking or taking a shower to stimulate diffuse thinking.

Step 2: Use Active Learning Techniques

Engage actively with the material instead of passively reading or watching. This could involve

• Summarizing what you’ve learned.
• Teaching the material to someone else.
• Creating mind maps or diagrams.

Practical Advice:

• After studying a concept, take a few minutes to explain it in your own words. This reinforces your understanding and highlights areas you may need to revisit.

Step 3: Overcome Procrastination

• Recognize why you might be avoiding certain subjects, often due to fear or anxiety.
• Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to make them less daunting.

Practical Advice:

• Set a timer for short study sessions (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by a 5-minute break (the Pomodoro Technique). This structure can help maintain focus and reduce procrastination.

Step 4: Embrace Mistakes and Failure

• Understand that making mistakes is a critical part of the learning process. Each mistake offers feedback that can guide your improvement.

Practical Advice:

• Keep a journal of mistakes and what you learned from them. Reflecting on these can help shift your mindset from fear of failure to a focus on growth.

Step 5: Apply Spaced Repetition

• Instead of cramming, spread your study sessions over time. This technique enhances retention.

Practical Advice:

• Use flashcards or spaced repetition software to review concepts regularly. This approach helps reinforce learning over longer periods.

Conclusion

By implementing these steps—understanding learning modes, using active techniques, overcoming procrastination, embracing mistakes, and applying spaced repetition—you can transform your approach to learning. Start by selecting one or two strategies to integrate into your study routine and gradually expand your toolkit. Remember, effective learning is a journey that requires patience and practice.