Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects
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Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects
Instructors: Dr. Terrence Sejnowski
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There are 4 modules in this course
This course gives you easy access to the invaluable learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. We’ll learn about how the brain uses two very different learning modes and how it encapsulates (“chunks”) information. We’ll also cover illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects.
Using these approaches, no matter what your skill levels in topics you would like to master, you can change your thinking and change your life. If you’re already an expert, this peep under the mental hood will give you ideas for turbocharging successful learning, including counter-intuitive test-taking tips and insights that will help you make the best use of your time on homework and problem sets. If you’re struggling, you’ll see a structured treasure trove of practical techniques that walk you through what you need to do to get on track. If you’ve ever wanted to become better at anything, this course will help serve as your guide. This course can be taken independent of, concurrent with, or prior to, its companion course, Mindshift. (Learning How to Learn is more learning-focused, and Mindshift is more career-focused.) A related course by the same instructors is Uncommon Sense Teaching. To join the fully translated Portuguese version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/aprender To join the fully translated Spanish version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/aprendiendo-a-aprender To join the fully translated Chinese version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ruhe-xuexi To join the fully translated French version of the course, visit : http://www.coursera.org/learn/apprendre-comment-apprendre
Although living brains are very complex, this module uses metaphor and analogy to help simplify matters. You will discover several fundamentally different modes of thinking, and how you can use these modes to improve your learning. You will also be introduced to a tool for tackling procrastination, be given some practical information about memory, and discover surprisingly useful insights about learning and sleep. <br><br>(Please note that this module should only take about an hour--the extra time quoted relates to purely optional activities.)
What's included
15 videos5 readings2 assignments1 peer review
15 videos•Total 118 minutes
- Introduction to the Focused and Diffuse Modes•5 minutes
- Terrence Sejnowski and Barbara Oakley--Introduction to the Course Structure•3 minutes
- Using the Focused and Diffuse Modes—Or, a Little Dali will do You•4 minutes
- What is Learning?•6 minutes
- A Procrastination Preview•5 minutes
- Practice Makes Permanent•6 minutes
- Introduction to Memory•5 minutes
- The Importance of Sleep in Learning•3 minutes
- How to Remember More: AI-Powered Flashcards with Spaced Repetition•7 minutes
- Interview with Dr. Terrence Sejnowski•15 minutes
- Summary video for Module 1•4 minutes
- Excitement About Whats Next! MaryAnne Nestor Gives Special Hints•1 minute
- Optional Interview with "Benny the Irish Polyglot" about Learning Languages•20 minutes
- Optional Interview with Dr. Robert Bilder on Creativity and Problem Solving•16 minutes
- Optional Interview with Writing Coach Daphne Gray-Grant•19 minutes
5 readings•Total 23 minutes
- Welcome and Course Information•10 minutes
- Guidance in Applying for Continuing Education or Professional Development Credit•3 minutes
- Get to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes
- Reading: Focused versus Diffuse Thinking•0 minutes
- A Posting about Anxiety, Depression and PTSD from a learner in Learning How to learn•0 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
- Introductory Quiz (An easy, quick review of relevant info)•30 minutes
- What is Learning? •30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Reflective Essay about a Learning Challenge•60 minutes
In this module, we’re going to be talking about chunks. Chunks are compact packages of information that your mind can easily access. We’ll talk about how you can form chunks, how you can use them to improve your understanding and creativity with the material, and how chunks can help you to do better on tests. We’ll also explore illusions of competence in learning, the challenges of overlearning, and the advantages of interleaving.
What's included
12 videos1 reading3 assignments
12 videos•Total 85 minutes
- Introduction to Chunking•1 minute
- What is a Chunk?•6 minutes
- How to Form a Chunk - Part 1•5 minutes
- How to Form a Chunk - Part 2•7 minutes
- Illusions of Competence•9 minutes
- What Motivates You?•5 minutes
- The Value of a Library of Chunks•6 minutes
- Generative AI Unleashes the Learning Potential of Metaphors•7 minutes
- Overlearning, Choking, Einstellung, Chunking, and Interleaving•9 minutes
- Summary for Module 2•4 minutes
- Optional Interview with Dr. Norman Fortenberry - Learning at MIT•10 minutes
- Optional Interview with Scott Young, a "Marco Polo" of Learning•16 minutes
1 reading
- Reading: Chunking•0 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
- Retrieval Practice •30 minutes
- Retrieval Practice•30 minutes
- Chunking•30 minutes
In this module, we talk about two intimately connected ideas—procrastination and memory. Building solid chunks in long term memory--chunks that are easily accessible by your short term memory—takes time. This is why learning to handle procrastination is so important. Finally, we talk about some of the best ways to access your brain’s most powerful long term memory systems.
What's included
14 videos1 reading3 assignments1 peer review
14 videos•Total 108 minutes
- Introduction to Procrastination and Memory•1 minute
- Tackling Procrastination - It is Easier, and More Valuable, Than You Think•6 minutes
- Zombies Everywhere•3 minutes
- Surf is Up: Process Versus Product•4 minutes
- Harnessing Your Zombies to Help You•6 minutes
- Juggling Life and Learning•5 minutes
- Summing Up Procrastination•2 minutes
- Diving Deeper into Memory•7 minutes
- What is Long Term Memory?•5 minutes
- Creating Meaningful Groups and the Memory Palace Technique•7 minutes
- Summing Up Memory•3 minutes
- Optional Interview with 4 Time US Memory Champion Nelson Dellis•23 minutes
- Optional Interview with Dr. Robert Gamache, an Award-winning Bilingual Scientist•15 minutes
- Optional Interview with Keith Devlin from Stanford, the NPR "Math Guy"•20 minutes
1 reading
- Reading: Procrastination and Memory•0 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
- Retrieval Practice•30 minutes
- Retrieval Practice•30 minutes
- Procrastination and Memory•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Final Project: Learn by teaching others how to learn•60 minutes
In this module we’re going to talk more about important ideas and techniques that will enhance your ability to learn. You’ll also discover how to more profitably interact with fellow learners, how to recognize your own strengths, and how to avoid the “imposter syndrome.” Fighter pilots and surgeons use checklists to help them with their critical duties—you can use a similar checklist to help you prepare for tests. Ultimately, you will learn more about the joys of living a life filled with learning!
What's included
16 videos3 readings3 assignments
16 videos•Total 140 minutes
- How to Become a Better Learner•5 minutes
- Introduction to Renaissance Learning and Unlocking Your Potential•2 minutes
- Create a Lively Visual Metaphor or Analogy•4 minutes
- No Need for Genius Envy•6 minutes
- Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life•6 minutes
- The Value of Teamwork•6 minutes
- A Test Checklist•3 minutes
- Hard Start - Jump to Easy•5 minutes
- Final Helpful Hints for Tests•6 minutes
- Summary for Module 4•3 minutes
- Wrapup to the Course by Terrence Sejnowski and Barbara Oakley•3 minutes
- Optional: Part 1: How NOT to Take a Test, Interview with Dr. Richard Felder and Dr. Rebecca Brent•11 minutes
- Optional: Part 2: Learning Something New, Interview with Dr. Richard Felder and Dr. Rebecca Brent•9 minutes
- Optional: Part 3: The Imposter Syndrome and Dealing with Procrastination, Interview with Dr. Richard Felder and Dr. Rebecca Brent•10 minutes
- Optional: Writer John Maguire (readablewriting.com) on the Importance of Putting Objects in Your Writing•20 minutes
- Optional Interview with William Craig Rice on learning in the humanities•41 minutes
3 readings•Total 11 minutes
- Please Rate this Course on Class Central•10 minutes
- Reading: Renaissance Learning and Unlocking Your Potential•0 minutes
- Farewell and Hello!•1 minute
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
- Retrieval Practice•30 minutes
- Retrieval Practice•30 minutes
- Final•30 minutes
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Reviewed on Nov 13, 2015
I found this course to be incredibly helpful. I am 33 and wish that I would have been taught a more efficient way of learning many years ago. There are definitely some great takeaways from this class.
Reviewed on Apr 12, 2026
This has helped me to formulate lessons for my students so that they can remember better, by using techniques such as metaphors and analogies, chunking using mnemonics, spaced repetition, and quizzes.
Reviewed on Jan 31, 2016
Inspriational! Well presented, interesting and useful. Everybody should take this course. Thank you to all those involved in developing this course. I'm already putting the teaching into practice.
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