Talks at Google - 2015-02-22
About the Book: Whether you are a student struggling to fulfill a math or science requirement, or you are embarking on a career change that requires a higher level of math competency, A Mind for Numbers offers the tools you need to get a better grasp of that intimidating but inescapable field. Engineering professor Barbara Oakley knows firsthand how it feels to struggle with math. She flunked her way through high school math and science courses, before enlisting in the army immediately after graduation. When she saw how her lack of mathematical and technical savvy severely limited her options—both to rise in the military and to explore other careers—she returned to school with a newfound determination to re-tool her brain to master the very subjects that had given her so much trouble throughout her entire life. In A Mind for Numbers, Dr. Oakley lets us in on the secrets to effectively learning math and science—secrets that even dedicated and successful students wish they’d known earlier. Contrary to popular belief, math requires creative, as well as analytical, thinking. Most people think that there’s only one way to do a problem, when in actuality, there are often a number of different solutions—you just need the creativity to see them. For example, there are more than three hundred different known proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem. In short, studying a problem in a laser-focused way until you reach a solution is not an effective way to learn math. Rather, it involves taking the time to step away from a problem and allow the more relaxed and creative part of the brain to take over. A Mind for Numbers shows us that we all have what it takes to excel in math, and learning it is not as painful as some might think! About the Author: Barbara Oakley is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She has received many awards for her teaching, including the coveted National Science Foundation New Century Scholar Award. Get the book here: https://goo.gl/rLUHLC
19:00 - How to overcome procrastination... task, time, no focus on pain - then reward... 22:00 good guidelines... exercise importance around 28:00... good metaphor 33:00... 38:00 awesome awesome awesome... 47:00 the absolute best way to read
thank you
thank you!
Thank you
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Joe thanks Man
I loved this talk. Also, I watched it while procrastinating a lot of other stuff.
Its survivorship bias. She's trying to sell a book.
Same
I should tidy up, with my mind less bored I actually get more done (as I stop less).
Sebastian
Same
She seems to be kind and encouraging teacher, her students must be lucky to have her
hohoho
@certified publication is it newer version of hehehe
maths it's about being relaxed and remembering to learn something new each time. forget about finding the solution. try to understand something new and commit it to memory.
@Didier Ambroise You're awesome for this.. I re-iterate the same to my younger siblings.
Actually as a (fellow?) Math teacher for Many years, my observation has been almost opposite. For me, Math is Not about committing things to memory. Algorithms vs Concepts is nothing new though. And i think i Do understand what you mean(t). Thank you for your comments
Hogwarts
Nice talk really liked it, here is my note, feel free to add if I missed anything
1. Focused mode and diffused mode – thinking – Switching between two modes of thinking - learning current subject makes quicker
a. Unable to come up with solutions – go for a walk .. etc
2. Combat Procrastination using Pomodoro technique – focus of time not on “Completion” of task.
3. Sleep – Take good rest – it cleans brain toxins and helps for new leaning connections
4. Exercise – yes Walking in an exercise
5. Practice and Repetition – moves patterns from working memory into long term memory
a. Spaced repetitions is much better
6. Attention – and create chunks of information
7. Homework – do it more than once and see if you can play it in your mind?
8. Recall - Recall
9. Passion – Follow your passion but BROADEN your passion
No multitasking
No speed reading - take your time
Thank you.
Thanks
Thanks
The Course by Barbara on coursera was the best course I ever took so far.
Why? Give me your story of success?!
I'm here because I'm procrastinating :P
I miss her voice.
I sampled the "Learning how to Learn" course through Coursa that she taught, loved it! She's an amazing educator.
59:50 - It is great to hear Barbara Oakley state that there is an over-emphasis on "math is fun" in the USA today. Right on!
She debunks the myth that people are just born smart or there is some magic method of attaining success. What she is saying is not new. It is known by anyone who has gone through extensive study.. granted not all. For instance, basic strategies.. chunking ... practicing.. spacing learning... and finding comparative areas to complement existing knowledge and personalising.
The trouble is people look for the short way of learning.. and it ends up being the long way. The long way is the short way in the long term. So, study hard and long and space and chunk.. be organised... and focus... remember study smart to be smarter. In order to focus have an approach to learning... be organised... try to understand rather than trying to remember....be a busy learner in class before and after.
Yes, an eclectic range of methods not esoteric but in a way that will allow you to feel satisfied about what you are learning. Notice, I did not say what you have learnt. Nothing is for free you have to work for it. Common sense and simplicity to learn complex things.
The guy or girl that turns up and gets the best grades has worked for it .. but worked in a smart manner... that best utilises time and leads to a deeper understanding that then becomes easy to remember. What we see we forget.. what we hear we remember what we do we understand.
Forget the boring and childish games of well typically the female gender who socialise more than males... (double edge sword here) who claim they have done no study and just magically attain good grades.. There are many variables to getting good marks... people do not all start on the same start line.. For instance, I learned a second language not knowing one word of it... whereas, other students were false beginners and of course they appeared to be smarter, when in fact they had background.
Smart students start courses early... a sense of urgency to map out a learning strategy.. they are organised... and want to create a learning environment for themselves. It is like sport .. you have to practice, warm up... build fitness, have and maintain good equipment... and hang out with more experienced people (judiciously) that is eventually you have to take some time out... to study alone. So, don't play those psycho semantic games with those who claim to be gifted.. they are very few and even they have to work bloody hard.. just not has hard as those who do not know and therefore, do not study smart...
Success requires one to be selfish.. and judiciously share their time with others. And yes, just because you are eating from one paddock does not mean you can not go into the other paddock occasionally, the grass always looks greener, so value what you do.. but don't close yourself off to other disciplines. For instance, when I was studying linguistics... I found psychology had something to say on the subject... as well as politics ... anthropology and pretty much all disciplines. So cross disciplinary learning is a great way to find chunks from other fields.
I hope this has helped somebody or many... having been selfish it is now time to share... Thanks.
Sharing the good you have learned early on Iife would have helped a lot and definitely, give you greater joy and fulfillment at old age knowing you are part of someone's success. It's never too late to intentionally find ways to pass on the good learnings to help others esp the younger ones who mostly need this awesome truth on learning. Let's actively help the future generation on having a great start in learning. :)
The myth that people are born smart? Learning study techniques is very important but it's like the software on the hardware of intelligence. More efficient programs only take advantage of what is already there. Some people are definitely born smart. Don't spread misinformation.
Just like imafidon said, no child is born a genius or just naturally smarter than the other, it’s all down to hard work AND smart work.
Smart people don't struggle learning how to learn.
One of the most enlightening and interesting talks I have ever watched. I am a dyslexic and this explanation of what goes on when learning is very relevant, dyslexics are top down learners. Thank you Barbara I will watch this more than once.
"You don't have a lot of tentacles!" 30:45
This lecture is fantastic! Your explanations are so clear.
Hey, I know her! She was watching me through the living room window.
18:56 Ballzy move calling YouTube ZombieTube at google.
I like Barbara 's simplicity , visuals & analogies
Elizabeth Warren in disguise
1:35 Pretty sure an upside down explanation point is just an "i"
I am glad that someone asked about the speed of reading. I remember being in grade school when we were doing silent reading. I would feel embarased if I was last to finish my reading assignment so i would end up reading faster but cause of it I never grasp what I had read. I wish there was someone to tell me that it did not matter how you learn or how slow or fast but rather that you retained the information.
one word, awesome. this woman is magic explaining, make jokes, is interesting etc, all professors in the world should explain that way.
Suggestion - Play at 1.5 speed.
I had to go up to 2x.
best advice for this video she speaks super slowly
Wow, i love this talk. I learned many things about my brain. I appreciate it !
I feel like a failure because I had to rewatch this talk. :( Bad memory. In real life I can't remember her advice.
Don't... she even said that repetition is key.
Hey, I know her! She was watching me through the living room window.
I'm here because I'm procrastinating :P
best ever piece of information i learned in my whole life, i should of find out about these thing ten year ago, but i'm so glad i finally got them now
I felt like I got a lot out of this video...and then I realized I was in fact watching the video in chunks!
I paused this video; did something fun for 10 minutes; then resumed watching.
Wow Barbara!! You're my number one idol! Amazing work you've done!
Yeah Barbara you are great Barbara im glad I found this thank you algorithm
Well this answered my question about why people have evolved with poor memory. It can be an advantage in problem solving by increased creativity.
Fantastic, thank you Barbara.
this lady must have an amazing husband that helps with 4 children participate at home and understands that she needs time for her profession... not so easy to find and part of success in a profession...
"Don't just follow your passions, broaden your passions, and you lives will be greatly enriched." Oakley. Well stated.
I really enjoyed talking this course. I recommend this to all
Elizabeth Warren in disguise
"You don't have a lot of tentacles!" 30:45
This was very informative. I'm going to order the book also. Thank you Prof. Oakley
"Learning How to Learn", the course, is one of the most inspiring pieces of knowledge there is. I'd recommend everybody to take the course, you wont regret it.
"I am going to be doing a training course, and it's going to be my priority mentioning this to every teacher I find and meet; for I believe that there are many people out there in this world; regardless what country it's in that feel like they are failures, and can never do what everyone else does when there is really no such thing as failure."
"Failure for everyone is only an experience when people get it wrong, and that is what's so beautiful about history. Everybody from past experience learns from past mistakes, regardless what topic it may be or what career you are doing."
Hey, I know her! She was watching me through the living room window.
Elizabeth Warren in disguise
1:35 Pretty sure an upside down explanation point is just an "i"
one of the most amazing talk i have ever watched thanks a lot
Barbara Oakley is so cool, she's one of my idols
That talk has been amazingly great :) Really enjoyed it. Thank you!
Learned more than I had expected while coming here. Thanks for the great talk!
Elizabeth Warren in disguise
"You don't have a lot of tentacles!" 30:45
Elizabeth Warren in disguise
Thanks the subtitle!
<3
Thank you to google for uploading this amazing presentation. I have gained so much from listening to the talk
This lecture is fantastic! Your explanations are so clear.
Wow, i love this talk. I learned many things about my brain. I appreciate it !
18:56 Ballzy move calling YouTube ZombieTube at google.
I paused this video; did something fun for 10 minutes; then resumed watching.
incredible, thanks so much!
I needed to hear this years ago. Thanks for sharing.
3e3op88 - 2016-01-23
Learning how to learn should be a foundational subject taught in every school. Incredibly, it's not.
jim twisted - 2019-07-30
If knowing how to think was a common attribute the religion would soon disappear
Conax Liu - 2019-09-13
Because those who knows how to learn, don't become teachers, and most teachers just teach what they already know, or ask you to figure it out yourself.
Victor Ali - 2019-11-07
They don't even know how to teach it
Create Fresh - 2020-03-01
I agree, but we all know that common sense is not common. The crazy thing is, that in most cases this method is not or will not be approved by the bord of education. I did not known how to read when I was young, like 12 to 18 and if it was up to " them" I would have been labeled a "that guy". So, I retooled and now I'm the author of 7 books. I was learning disabled!! But, now I am in love with learning in ways words can not express!! Polmoderos along with spaced repationon is awesome. When Im stuck I use the Richard Finman Technique!!
Nico Veenkamp - 2020-03-01
She has now a course on this subject on Coursera. Recommended!