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Barbara Oakley


Full Name and Common Aliases


Barbara Oakley is a well-known American author, academic, and online educator. She is also known by her married name, Barbara Fredrickson.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on June 1, 1952, in New York City, USA, Barbara Oakley is still active in her profession and pursuits as of my last knowledge update.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Nationality: American

Professions: Author, Academic, Online Educator

Early Life and Background


Barbara Oakley grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged her to pursue her interests. She developed an early fascination with science and mathematics, which would later shape her career choices. Oakley's educational background includes degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A.) and the University of Michigan (Ph.D.).

Major Accomplishments


Barbara Oakley is recognized for her groundbreaking work in the field of neuroscience and learning. Her research has focused on the science behind how people learn, which led to several influential publications, including A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra).

Notable Works or Actions


Some notable works by Barbara Oakley include:

Learning How to Learn: Powerful Technqiues for Mastering Tough Subjects: A Coursera course she co-created with Terrence Sejnowski, which has become one of the most popular courses on the platform.
A Mind for Numbers (book): This book outlines practical strategies and techniques for improving mathematical and scientific understanding.

Impact and Legacy


Barbara Oakley's work has had a significant impact on education and learning. Her approach to teaching complex subjects through storytelling, using analogies, and applying evidence-based techniques has inspired educators worldwide. By making science and mathematics accessible and engaging, Oakley has empowered countless students to excel in their studies.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Barbara Oakley is widely quoted and remembered for her expertise in neuroscience and learning. Her ability to break down complex concepts into understandable narratives has earned her recognition as a leading authority on how people learn best.

Quotes by Barbara Oakley

Research has confirmed that a special place devoted just to working is particularly helpful.
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Research has confirmed that a special place devoted just to working is particularly helpful.
The patient ability to keep working away, a little bit at a time, is important. This is why, if procrastination is an issue for you, it will be critical to learn some of the upcoming neural tricks to effectively address it.
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The patient ability to keep working away, a little bit at a time, is important. This is why, if procrastination is an issue for you, it will be critical to learn some of the upcoming neural tricks to effectively address it.
But be wary of the idea that some people are “left-brain” or “right-brain” dominant – research indicates that is simply not true.17.
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But be wary of the idea that some people are “left-brain” or “right-brain” dominant – research indicates that is simply not true.17.
Testing is itself an extraordinarily powerful learning experience.
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Testing is itself an extraordinarily powerful learning experience.
Just focus on whatever section you are studying. You’ll find that once you put the first problem or concept in your library, whatever it is, then the second concept will go in a bit more easily. And the third more easily still. Not that all of this is a snap, but it does get easier.
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Just focus on whatever section you are studying. You’ll find that once you put the first problem or concept in your library, whatever it is, then the second concept will go in a bit more easily. And the third more easily still. Not that all of this is a snap, but it does get easier.
Internalizing problem-solving techniques enhances the neural activity that allows you to more easily hear the whispers of your growing intuition. When you know – really know – how to solve a problem just by looking at it, you’ve created a commanding chunk that sweeps like a song through your mind.
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Internalizing problem-solving techniques enhances the neural activity that allows you to more easily hear the whispers of your growing intuition. When you know – really know – how to solve a problem just by looking at it, you’ve created a commanding chunk that sweeps like a song through your mind.
You may want your learning to progress more quickly – to somehow command your diffuse mode to assimilate new ideas faster. But compare it to exercise. Constantly lifting weights won’t make your muscles any bigger – your muscles need time to rest and grow before you use them again.
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You may want your learning to progress more quickly – to somehow command your diffuse mode to assimilate new ideas faster. But compare it to exercise. Constantly lifting weights won’t make your muscles any bigger – your muscles need time to rest and grow before you use them again.
Incidentally, the little book Calculus Made Easy, by Silvanus Thompson, has helped generations of students master the subject.
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Incidentally, the little book Calculus Made Easy, by Silvanus Thompson, has helped generations of students master the subject.
They say experience is the best teacher. Instead, it should be that failure is the best teacher. I’ve found that the best learners are the ones who cope best with failure and use it as a learning tool.
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They say experience is the best teacher. Instead, it should be that failure is the best teacher. I’ve found that the best learners are the ones who cope best with failure and use it as a learning tool.
To be a successful problem solver, focus first. We get stuck in problem solving when we don’t first prepare our brain by focusing on the basics. Don’t just dive into problem solving without studying the explanations first. You need to lay some basic trails on the focused pinball table.
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To be a successful problem solver, focus first. We get stuck in problem solving when we don’t first prepare our brain by focusing on the basics. Don’t just dive into problem solving without studying the explanations first. You need to lay some basic trails on the focused pinball table.
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