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⇱ Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects | Coursera


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

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

93,169 reviews

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

93,169 reviews

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course

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 videosTotal 118 minutes
  • Introduction to the Focused and Diffuse Modes5 minutes
  • Terrence Sejnowski and Barbara Oakley--Introduction to the Course Structure3 minutes
  • Using the Focused and Diffuse Modes—Or, a Little Dali will do You4 minutes
  • What is Learning?6 minutes
  • A Procrastination Preview5 minutes
  • Practice Makes Permanent6 minutes
  • Introduction to Memory5 minutes
  • The Importance of Sleep in Learning3 minutes
  • How to Remember More: AI-Powered Flashcards with Spaced Repetition7 minutes
  • Interview with Dr. Terrence Sejnowski15 minutes
  • Summary video for Module 14 minutes
  • Excitement About Whats Next! MaryAnne Nestor Gives Special Hints1 minute
  • Optional Interview with "Benny the Irish Polyglot" about Learning Languages20 minutes
  • Optional Interview with Dr. Robert Bilder on Creativity and Problem Solving16 minutes
  • Optional Interview with Writing Coach Daphne Gray-Grant19 minutes
5 readingsTotal 23 minutes
  • Welcome and Course Information10 minutes
  • Guidance in Applying for Continuing Education or Professional Development Credit3 minutes
  • Get to Know Your Classmates10 minutes
  • Reading: Focused versus Diffuse Thinking0 minutes
  • A Posting about Anxiety, Depression and PTSD from a learner in Learning How to learn0 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes
  • Introductory Quiz (An easy, quick review of relevant info)30 minutes
  • What is Learning? 30 minutes
1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes
  • Reflective Essay about a Learning Challenge60 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 videosTotal 85 minutes
  • Introduction to Chunking1 minute
  • What is a Chunk?6 minutes
  • How to Form a Chunk - Part 15 minutes
  • How to Form a Chunk - Part 27 minutes
  • Illusions of Competence9 minutes
  • What Motivates You?5 minutes
  • The Value of a Library of Chunks6 minutes
  • Generative AI Unleashes the Learning Potential of Metaphors7 minutes
  • Overlearning, Choking, Einstellung, Chunking, and Interleaving9 minutes
  • Summary for Module 24 minutes
  • Optional Interview with Dr. Norman Fortenberry - Learning at MIT10 minutes
  • Optional Interview with Scott Young, a "Marco Polo" of Learning16 minutes
1 reading
  • Reading: Chunking0 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes
  • Retrieval Practice 30 minutes
  • Retrieval Practice30 minutes
  • Chunking30 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 videosTotal 108 minutes
  • Introduction to Procrastination and Memory1 minute
  • Tackling Procrastination - It is Easier, and More Valuable, Than You Think6 minutes
  • Zombies Everywhere3 minutes
  • Surf is Up: Process Versus Product4 minutes
  • Harnessing Your Zombies to Help You6 minutes
  • Juggling Life and Learning5 minutes
  • Summing Up Procrastination2 minutes
  • Diving Deeper into Memory7 minutes
  • What is Long Term Memory?5 minutes
  • Creating Meaningful Groups and the Memory Palace Technique7 minutes
  • Summing Up Memory3 minutes
  • Optional Interview with 4 Time US Memory Champion Nelson Dellis23 minutes
  • Optional Interview with Dr. Robert Gamache, an Award-winning Bilingual Scientist15 minutes
  • Optional Interview with Keith Devlin from Stanford, the NPR "Math Guy"20 minutes
1 reading
  • Reading: Procrastination and Memory0 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes
  • Retrieval Practice30 minutes
  • Retrieval Practice30 minutes
  • Procrastination and Memory30 minutes
1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes
  • Final Project: Learn by teaching others how to learn60 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 videosTotal 140 minutes
  • How to Become a Better Learner5 minutes
  • Introduction to Renaissance Learning and Unlocking Your Potential2 minutes
  • Create a Lively Visual Metaphor or Analogy4 minutes
  • No Need for Genius Envy6 minutes
  • Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life6 minutes
  • The Value of Teamwork6 minutes
  • A Test Checklist3 minutes
  • Hard Start - Jump to Easy5 minutes
  • Final Helpful Hints for Tests6 minutes
  • Summary for Module 43 minutes
  • Wrapup to the Course by Terrence Sejnowski and Barbara Oakley3 minutes
  • Optional: Part 1: How NOT to Take a Test, Interview with Dr. Richard Felder and Dr. Rebecca Brent11 minutes
  • Optional: Part 2: Learning Something New, Interview with Dr. Richard Felder and Dr. Rebecca Brent9 minutes
  • Optional: Part 3: The Imposter Syndrome and Dealing with Procrastination, Interview with Dr. Richard Felder and Dr. Rebecca Brent10 minutes
  • Optional: Writer John Maguire (readablewriting.com) on the Importance of Putting Objects in Your Writing20 minutes
  • Optional Interview with William Craig Rice on learning in the humanities41 minutes
3 readingsTotal 11 minutes
  • Please Rate this Course on Class Central10 minutes
  • Reading: Renaissance Learning and Unlocking Your Potential0 minutes
  • Farewell and Hello!1 minute
3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes
  • Retrieval Practice30 minutes
  • Retrieval Practice30 minutes
  • Final30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.9 (20,301 ratings)
Deep Teaching Solutions
23 Courses5,405,811 learners

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Learner reviews

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Showing 3 of 93169

BH
·

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.

MT
·

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.

SR
·

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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