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Learning How To Learn for Youth

4.8 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 2,925 ratings
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Dr. Terrence Sejnowski, Greg Hammons, and Barbara Oakley

Based on one of the most popular open online courses in the world, this course gives you easy access to the learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. No matter what your current skill level, using these approaches can help you master new topics, change your thinking and improve your life.

This course explains:

* Why sometimes letting your mind wander is an important part of the learning process

* How to avoid "rut think" in order to think outside the box

* The value of metaphors in developing understanding

Read more

Based on one of the most popular open online courses in the world, this course gives you easy access to the learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. No matter what your current skill level, using these approaches can help you master new topics, change your thinking and improve your life.

This course explains:

* Why sometimes letting your mind wander is an important part of the learning process

* How to avoid "rut think" in order to think outside the box

* The value of metaphors in developing understanding

* A simple, yet powerful, way to stop procrastinating

If you’re already an expert, these strategies will turbocharge your learning, including test-taking tips and insights that will help you make the best use of your time on homework and problem sets.

We all have the tools to learn what might not seem to come naturally to us at first—the secret is to understand how the brain works so we can unlock its power.

Filled with animations, application questions, and exercises, this course makes learning easy and fun!

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

What is Learning?
In this module, we'll use metaphor and analogy to help you more easily understand key ideas about how your brain works. You will discover two modes of thinking—you can use these modes in different ways to improve your learning. We will also show you a powerful tool for tackling procrastination, give you some great memory tips, and point out why "sleeping on it" can be a good idea!
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Outlines ways learners can enhance their ability to learn techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines
Provides simple, yet powerful, ways for learners to stop procrastination
Helps learners avoid "rut think" in order to think outside the box
Features a team of seasoned instructors, including Dr. Terrence Sejnowski, Greg Hammons, and Barbara Oakley
Students may avoid information overload by following recommended techniques
Introduces metaphors to give learners an easier way to understand key concepts

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Reviews summary

Practical learning skills for youth

Students say this course offers clear and practical learning techniques specifically designed for youth and beginners. It's praised for its engaging animations, helpful metaphors, and simple explanations that make complex ideas accessible. While considered a fantastic introduction, some learners note it may be too basic if you're already familiar with advanced learning theories or have taken the original course. Overall, it provides highly actionable strategies to improve how you learn.
Great introduction, ideal for youth or new learners.
"This course is a great introduction to learning concepts, especially for teens."
"Found it a bit too basic, as I'd taken the original course and hoped for more depth here."
"Perfect if you're just starting to think about *how* you learn effectively."
"As an adult, I found it a bit simplistic, clearly geared towards a younger audience."
Animations and metaphors make the material fun.
"The animations were so cool and really helped explain complex ideas visually."
"Really liked the metaphors used throughout the course, they made it easy to remember the concepts."
"The course is visually appealing and uses engaging methods to keep you interested."
"Found the use of stories and analogies made the abstract concepts much more concrete."
Provides useful strategies you can use right away.
"The tips on procrastination actually worked for me! It was a game changer."
"I started using the memory palace technique and it's surprisingly effective for studying."
"Learned solid methods for studying more efficiently and managing my time better."
"Offers really actionable advice that I could immediately apply to my schoolwork."
Concepts are simple and easy to grasp.
"Everything is explained so clearly, even difficult ideas were easy for me to understand."
"The way the instructors break down complex ideas is just perfect for young learners."
"Found the explanations straightforward and very easy to follow along with."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learning How To Learn for Youth with these activities:
Read 'Mindset' by Carol Dweck
Gain insights into the power of a growth mindset and its benefits for learning and personal growth
View Mindset - Updated Edition on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and reflect on its key concepts
  • Identify strategies to cultivate a growth mindset
  • Apply these strategies to your own learning journey
Brush up on critical thinking skills
Refresh critical thinking skills to enhance analytical abilities and problem-solving capabilities
Browse courses on Critical Thinking
Show steps
  • Review techniques for analyzing arguments and evaluating evidence
  • Practice identifying biases and fallacies
  • Engage in thought experiments and simulations to challenge assumptions
Review cognitive science principles
Review fundamental concepts from cognitive science to enhance learning strategies and optimize brain function
Show steps
  • Explore topics such as memory, attention, and metacognition
  • Identify practical techniques to improve focus and information retention
  • Apply these principles to your learning process in this course
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Explore online learning resources
Supplement course content with additional online resources to deepen understanding and gain diverse perspectives
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online sources that complement course topics
  • Set aside time to explore and engage with these resources
  • Take notes and reflect on the insights gained
Create a mind map
Develop a visual representation of course content to improve organization and recall
Browse courses on Note-Taking
Show steps
  • Identify key concepts and subtopics
  • Arrange concepts in a hierarchical structure
  • Use colors, images, and symbols to enhance visual appeal
Practice spaced repetition
Employ spaced repetition to reinforce course content and strengthen memory
Browse courses on Memory Techniques
Show steps
  • Review course material after an initial learning session
  • Repeat spaced repetition sessions at increasing intervals
  • Test your recall and focus on areas where you struggle
Form a study group
Collaborate with peers to enhance understanding and reinforce concepts
Show steps
  • Find classmates who share learning goals
  • Establish regular meeting times
  • Take turns presenting material and leading discussions
Develop a presentation
Synthesize course content and present it to an audience, solidifying understanding and communication skills
Show steps
  • Choose a topic and research relevant information
  • Organize content into a logical flow
  • Create visual aids to support your presentation
  • Practice delivering your presentation to improve clarity and confidence

Career center

Learners who complete Learning How To Learn for Youth will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design, implement, and maintain computer systems. You need a strong foundation in critical thinking, understanding how people learn, and understanding how to learn new skills in order to succeed. This course will help you to develop these skills, and it will also give you a foundational knowledge of the learning process that will help you to succeed in your career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst
Learning and Development Specialist
Learning and Development Specialists are tasked with helping employees to learn and grow. A strong foundation in the learning process will be key to your success. Some of the essential skills that you will learn by taking this course include creative thinking, critical thinking, and communication. This course may also help you to develop your skills as an instructor.
See salaries and explore the career path for Learning and Development Specialist
Data Analyst
Data Analysts need to learn and understand a variety of tools and techniques, much like the ones taught in this course. You may be asked to learn new coding languages, new software, or new ways to use old software. This course will help you to develop the foundational skills that will feel familiar no matter what particular tools are asked of you.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Data Scientist
Data Scientists help to collect, analyze, and manage data. In order to do so, they need a solid foundation of knowledge in mathematics and statistics, in addition to a strong ability to code. This course will help you to develop your foundational skills, including thinking outside of the box. By developing your foundational skills in these areas, you will be able to optimize your learning in your Data Science training.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Project Manager
Project Managers lead and coordinate teams of people to complete projects. A strong foundation in critical thinking and in understanding how people learn will help you to become a more effective leader. This course will help you to think critically about how to plan and execute a project.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Researcher
Researchers seek to uncover new knowledge and to develop new solutions to problems. A strong foundation in critical thinking will help you to succeed in this career. This course will help you to develop your critical thinking skills, as well as your skills in creative problem-solving.
See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher
Software Engineer
Software Engineers need to learn and understand a variety of tools and techniques as part of their job duties. This includes knowledge of how to code, test, and maintain software. This course will help you to develop your foundational skills, including critical thinking, which will feel familiar no matter what particular tools are asked of you.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence Analysts must learn and understand a variety of tools and techniques as part of their job duties. This includes knowledge of how to collect and analyze data, as well as how to write and deliver reports. This course will help you to develop your foundational skills, including critical thinking, which will feel familiar no matter what particular tools are asked of you.
See salaries and explore the career path for Intelligence Analyst
Analyst
Analysts often use critical thinking to help make sense of large amounts of data. After doing so, they typically report on patterns and trends, using the insights that they have found. This course can help you to develop your critical thinking skills, which can be very helpful as an Analyst. It helps you to maximize your brain's power to uncover data patterns that might not be immediately obvious to someone without your skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Analyst
Manager
Managers supervise the work of others. You will need to be familiar with the problems that your employees face every day, as well as the solutions to those problems. By learning the tools and techniques that will make you a more effective learner, you'll be able to more effectively perform the duties of a Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Manager
Mathematician
Mathematicians need to learn, understand, and implement processes and models that help us to understand the world around us. The ability to think critically will help you to succeed in this career. This course will help you to develop your critical thinking skills, as well as your skills in creative problem-solving.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mathematician
Product Manager
Product Managers lead the development of new products and features. In order to do so, they need to be able to think critically and to develop creative solutions to problems. This course will help you to develop the skills that you need to succeed as a Product Manager, and it may also help you to be more creative in your thinking.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Educator
Educators are tasked with helping their students to learn, regardless of the students' backgrounds or learning styles. A strong understanding of the learning process is key to a successful career in the education field. This course may be useful as it will help you to understand the learning process. Additionally, this course may be an interesting way to develop your teaching repertoire.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educator
Engineer
Engineers use critical thinking to design, implement, and operate new technologies. This course may be useful, as it will help you to develop your problem-solving skills, which will help you to succeed in your engineering career. Additionally, this course can help you to develop creative solutions, which is also a key skill for Engineers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Engineer
Consultant
Consultants will often need to use critical thinking in order to solve the problems of their clients. As a learning professional with a strong grasp of the mechanics of the brain, you'll be particularly useful for helping your clients to implement new strategies in a way that feels accessible to them. This course may be useful, as it can help a Consultant to develop clever strategies and to problem-solve.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learning How To Learn for Youth.
Cover image
Make It Stick
Save
Provides a research-based guide to effective learning techniques, with a focus on spaced repetition, interleaving, and retrieval practice. It complements the course's emphasis on understanding how the brain learns and applying strategies to improve retention.
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
Hardcover
$$
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
A Mind For Numbers
Save
Written by one of the course instructors, this book offers a practical approach to overcoming math and science anxiety. It provides strategies for understanding abstract concepts, developing a growth mindset, and leveraging the brain's natural learning mechanisms.
A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Learning How to Learn
Save
Expands on the concepts covered in the course, providing a comprehensive guide to learning strategies. It offers practical advice on topics such as time management, note-taking, and effective study habits.
Learning How to Learn
Paperback
Check
Learning How to Learn
Kindle Edition
Check
Workbook for Mindset
Save
Explores the concept of a growth mindset, which emphasizes the belief that intelligence can be developed through effort and perseverance. It aligns with the course's focus on cultivating a positive learning attitude and overcoming self-limiting beliefs.
The Growth Mindset Workbook: CBT Skills to Help You...
Paperback
$$
The Growth Mindset Workbook: CBT Skills to Help You...
Kindle Edition
$$
Workbook For Mindset: The New Psychology of Success...
Paperback
$
Cover image
A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics
Save
Provides practical strategies for managing information overload and improving cognitive function. It offers insights into how the brain processes and organizes information, complementing the course's emphasis on effective study habits and learning techniques.
A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking with...
Paperback
$$
A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics
Hardcover
$$
A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking with...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Peak
Save
Explores the science of expertise and deliberate practice. It provides insights into how experts develop their skills and achieve peak performance, reinforcing the course's emphasis on the importance of focused and sustained effort in learning.
Peak
Paperback
Check
Peak
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Art of Learning
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Offers a holistic approach to learning, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, self-awareness, and the pursuit of excellence. It complements the course's focus on developing a lifelong love of learning and continuous improvement.
The Art of Learning
Paperback
Check
The Art of Learning
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Ten Lectures on Cognitive Linguistics
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Explores the role of metaphors in shaping our thinking and understanding of the world. It provides insights into how metaphors can facilitate learning and communication, aligning with the course's emphasis on the use of metaphor and analogy.
Ten Lectures on Cognitive Linguistics
Paperback
Check
Ten Lectures on Cognitive Linguistics
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Explorer's Library
Save
Provides a practical guide to memory improvement techniques, including the use of mnemonics and visualization. It complements the course's focus on effective memorization strategies and the importance of long-term retention.
The Explorer's Library: Books That Inspire Wonder...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Supercommunicators
Save
Explores the science of habits and how they shape our behavior. It provides insights into how to create and break habits, which can be valuable for students seeking to develop effective learning routines.
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret...
Hardcover
$$
Charles Duhigg 3 Books Collection Set...
Paperback
$$$
(Español) Supercomunicadores [Supercommunicators]: Cómo...
Audible Audiobook
$$
(Português) Supercomunicadores [Supercommunicators]: Como...
Audible Audiobook
$
(Deutsch) Supercommunicators: Wie man die geheime Sprache...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Deep Work
Save
Emphasizes the importance of deep, uninterrupted work sessions for maximizing productivity and learning. It aligns with the course's focus on developing focused learning strategies and avoiding distractions.
Deep Work
Paperback
Check
Deep Work
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Cognitive Neuroscience
Save
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of cognitive psychology, including topics such as attention, memory, language, and problem-solving. It serves as a valuable reference for students seeking a deeper understanding of the cognitive processes involved in learning.
Cognitive Neuroscience
Paperback
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Cognitive Neuroscience
Kindle Edition
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Rating
4.8 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
Approx. 6 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Arizona State University
Instructors
Dr. Terrence Sejnowski
Greg Hammons
Barbara Oakley
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Outlines ways learners can enhance their ability to learn techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines
Provides simple, yet powerful, ways for learners to stop procrastination
Helps learners avoid "rut think" in order to think outside the box
Features a team of seasoned instructors, including Dr. Terrence Sejnowski, Greg Hammons, and Barbara Oakley
Students may avoid information overload by following recommended techniques
Introduces metaphors to give learners an easier way to understand key concepts
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