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Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything

via edX

Overview

Do you spend too much time learning with disappointing results? Do you find it difficult to remember what you read? Do you put off studying because it’s boring and you’re easily distracted? This course is for you!

Dr. Barbara Oakley—instructor of some of the most popular online courses of all time—and her co-instructor Olav Schewe, educational coach extraordinaire, have struggled in the past with their learning. But they’ve found ways to succeed—Barb has gone from a math-phobic failure in high school to become an engineering professor, and Olav has gone from a mediocre, muddling student to become a standout in his graduate studies at Oxford. In Learn Like a Pro , Olav and Barb lay out techniques based on easy-to-understand but cutting-edge neuroscientific research that can also help you master any material.

Learn Like a Pro is like no other course on learning—it weaves late-breaking insights from neuroscience into Barb and Olav’s previous research and teaching to show unexpected, yet practical, new approaches. You’ll learn why note-taking isn’t always beneficial and why speed-reading techniques don’t work (they speed up only your eyes, not your brain—but there is something better you can do instead). You’ll also learn why the best strategies for learning a new language as an adult are inevitably different from the approaches you used as a child. And guess what? The same techniques you might use to boogie-down with dance or sink a basketball share can, with clever retooling, also help you gradually become an expert coder or master at chess.

Think you aren’t so smart? Learn why your slower way of learning can help you see the faulty assumptions and discover deeper truths that even geniuses can miss. In fact, you’ll learn how applying useful learning techniques to your slow-learning approach can help you to sometimes perform better than mental superstars. Are you already a great learner? Learn Like a Pro will give you useful tools to become even more powerful in your learning. (Pro tip—what you’ve previously been taught about how to learn successfully is often the opposite of what neuroscience tells us about how to learn most successfully.) This inspirational course will also teach you how to boost your motivation and creatively handle frustration—no matter what you’re learning. You’ll find new pathways to triumph, and you’ll have a lot of fun while you’re at it. Join us at Learn Like a Pro and boost your learning success today!

Taught by

Olav Schewe and Barbara Oakley

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 309 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at edX based on 26 ratings

Start your review of Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything

  • Yet another top course from Barbara Oakly, building further on previous successes, improving the material and adding new concepts. This is a short course full of tips & tricks to improve your learning, backed by scientific research. The animation…
  • A compact course packed with information and techniques to help you learn more quickly and effectively. While some information is the same as in Barbara Oakley's Learning How to Learn, it introduces new material and explains the "Why" behind the strategies presented. Also includes some interactive activities and encourages effective participation in the discussion forums. A well-made course!
  • This was an informative course presented in compact learning modules. The instructors did a great job presenting information on the topic in easy-to-digest ways. I appreciated their inclusion of both visual and auditory learning modalities.
  • The best course about how to learn. I became a much better student and more motivate to do everything I need to do. I recommend a lot.
  • It has very clear videos and good exercises to practice. Great tools recommended. The two people that teach are very good to explaining the concepts.
  • Anonymous
    The instructors explained techniques that were applied immediately and the results were instantaneous. I especially enjoyed the visual description which gave me a picture of what they were talking about and exactly how to apply it.

    Previously, I heard about the concept of a mind palace in the series "Sherlock" and thought it was something only geniuses like Sherlock can use, now I am convinced otherwise and will apply the skills learned in this course to improve my learning of finance.
  • Profile image for Cláudio Amaral
    Cláudio Amaral
    Sua revisão ajuda outros alunos como você a descobrir ótimos cursos. Revise o curso apenas se você fez ou começou a fazer este curso.
  • Anonymous
    Me servirá mucho para saber organizarme en cuanto a tiempos de mis tareas diarias, así como entender la manera de trabajar de los demás
  • Anonymous
    This course changed my old learning technique. It looks like the new world of new learning concept based on science more than experience and one success's advice. It means you can learn course material, try and adjust for your own learning path. If…
  • Anonymous
    Very much to the point and entertaining. Nice little quizzes in between and overall easily done in a couple of hours.
  • Anonymous
    The course “Learning Like a Pro” is an outstanding and inspiring experience that helps students develop effective study habits and a growth mindset. It teaches powerful strategies for time management, note-taking, memory improvement, and critical thinking. The lessons are well-structured, easy to understand, and filled with practical tips that can be applied immediately in daily learning. What makes the course exceptional is its focus on self-discipline and motivation, helping learners become confident and independent. Overall, it is a valuable course for anyone who wants to enhance academic performance, learn smarter, and achieve long-term success in both studies and life.
  • Anonymous
    An eye-opening course for me, a freshman at college. I loved the inclusion of information from scientific studies because they helped me to really understand why these learning techniques were so useful. For example, I will now spend more time doing practice questions through active recall to help strengthen my neural links instead of rereading my texts . The course was relatively short with easily digestible material. Thank you to the team!
  • Anonymous
    This course is a great help for me as I navigate my learning journey through online courses. It is informative in a way of giving examples, techniques and strategies in learning. I've learned a lot because of this!
  • Anonymous
    Great!!!! "I completed this course and it exceeded my expectations. The content was well-structured and engaging, making complex topics easy to understand. The instructor was knowledgeable and provided clear explanations. The practical exercises were particularly helpful in reinforcing the material. Overall, this course has significantly enhanced my skills and confidence in the subject. Highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their understanding!"
  • Bryanna Faugno
    This is a great course even for those who know nothing about the topic and those who already know a little bit. I knew most of the things discussed in module 1 but I was still really engaged with the material and learned a few new pieces of informat…
  • Anonymous
    I have found this course to be hugely helpful, insightful and inspiring. I find it to be very useful from a practical perspective. I have confidence in the tools and ideas taught in this course as they are based in science and research. I also find that it made me feel a great deal better about problems I have encountered with learning new things in the past, it explained why things may not have gone so well and has given me ways to address that. I can also see that I can apply the techniques to a number of areas of my life - not just formal study. Highly recommend. Thanks Barb and Olav.
  • Anonymous
    This course teaches about the science behind learning, and various learning techniques. After finishing this course, I understood why I had difficult time while I am learning on my own, what exactly were my shortcomings, and why I performed better when I was in high school, and I haven't yet used all of these techniques, but I guess I will from now on, And if you're someone struggle to learn, and understand stuff, and want to get better, this is definitely a good course.
  • Anonymous
    Effective...helps in knowing a lot of tools that can be used in improving learning skills.. that are both useful and easy to do.. instructor's made the information soo easy ,relevant nd effective
  • Anonymous
    The course was really amazing and those short videos helped a lot. The practical illustrations and basic quiz helped to retain whatever was taught in class. I liked the concept explained here that online learning is effective as compared to other types of learning and i had a doubt regarding motivation for online learning which was resolved at a later stage of course. I would definitely recommend the course to others who want to learn like a pro.
  • Anonymous
    I only audited the course. I took a similar course/audited on Coursera about a year or two ago. This is a much better, improved, simpler, and shorter course-while very effective. I recommend the course to parents of school-age children as well. I…

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