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

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!

What's inside

Learning objectives

How knowledge is stored in long-term memory and which techniques you can use to make sure you do not easily forget what you have just learned
How the brain alternates between two different modes for learning and thinking and how you can take advantage of this to improve your creativity and problem-solving skills
How to beat procrastination and distractions to focus better during learning
The critical role of working memory in learning and how to optimize it
The difference between declarative and procedural knowledge and how to learn each type of knowledge more effectively

How to motivate yourself to learn better by increasing the brain's production of dopamine
Why speed reading doesn't work for learning and what you should do instead to read more effectively
How metacognition improves your learning and a simple 3-step model to continuously improve the way you learn
In learn like a pro , you’ll learn not only the most effective techniques to help your learning but also why those techniques are effective. here’s a quick overview of key topics we’ll cover:

How knowledge is stored in long-term memory and which techniques you can use to make sure you do not easily forget what you have just learned
How the brain alternates between two different modes for learning and thinking and how you can take advantage of this to improve your creativity and problem-solving skills
How to beat procrastination and distractions to focus better during learning
The critical role of working memory in learning and how to optimize it
The difference between declarative and procedural knowledge and how to learn each type of knowledge more effectively
How to motivate yourself to learn better by increasing the brain's production of dopamine
Why speed reading doesn't work for learning and what you should do instead to read more effectively
How metacognition improves your learning and a simple 3-step model to continuously improve the way you learn
In learn like a pro , you’ll learn not only the most effective techniques to help your learning but also why those techniques are effective. here’s a quick overview of key topics we’ll cover:

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a framework to master any material, which can help learners broaden their interests and enhance their overall knowledge

Taught by experts who've traveled an unconventional path, which can provide fresh perspectives on familiar topics

Examines the fundamental principles of learning, which can be useful for beginners looking to develop better study habits

Provides a customizable learning journey, which can appeal to learners with different learning styles and preferences

Combines theory and practical techniques, which can provide learners with a well-rounded approach to learning

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

Review Core Concepts

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Refresh your understanding of fundamental concepts to strengthen your grasp of course material.

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Review previous coursework, textbooks, or online resources.
Attend refresher workshops or tutorials.
Complete practice problems or exercises.

Read 'Make It Stick'

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Gain insights into evidence-based learning techniques and strategies to improve retention.

View Make It Stick: The Science of Successful... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly.
Identify key concepts and summarize them in your own words.
Apply the learning strategies discussed in the book to your studies.

Develop a Learning Plan

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Create a personalized plan to optimize your time, resources, and learning strategies.

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Identify key learning objectives and milestones.
Schedule time for studying, reviewing, and practice.
Identify potential challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.

Five other activities

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Explore Course-Related Resources

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Seek out additional tutorials, videos, or online materials to supplement your learning.

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Search for online tutorials or webinars on specific topics.
Explore educational platforms for interactive lessons.
Join online study groups or forums for discussions.

Retrieval Practice Activities

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Engage in regular practice activities to strengthen memory and improve your ability to retrieve information.

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Create flashcards or summaries to test your knowledge.
Use spaced repetition techniques to review material at increasing intervals.
Participate in online quizzes or practice tests.

Join Study Groups

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Engage with peers to enhance understanding, share perspectives, and provide support.

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Form study groups with classmates.
Attend study sessions regularly.
Contribute to group discussions and share your insights.

Organize Course Materials

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Consolidate and organize your notes, assignments, and other materials to enhance retention.

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Create a central repository for all course-related materials.
Use color-coding, folders, or tags to categorize information.
Develop a system for easily accessing and reviewing materials.

Develop a Learning Portfolio

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Create a portfolio to showcase your learning journey, track progress, and identify areas for improvement.

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Collect samples of your work, such as assignments, projects, and reflections.
Organize your portfolio using categories or themes.
Reflect on your learning experiences and identify areas where you excelled and where you could improve.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Learning Specialist

Learning Specialists work with students who have learning disabilities or other challenges. They help students develop strategies for learning and overcoming their challenges. This course may be useful for Learning Specialists because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Learning Specialists may use the course techniques to help their students learn more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Specialist

Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. They work with students to help them learn and grow, and they also conduct research to advance knowledge in their field. This course may be useful for Professors because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Professors may use the course techniques to make their teaching more effective and to help their students learn more effectively.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers create and develop curricula for educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities. They work with teachers and administrators to develop educational programs and materials that meet the needs of students. This course may be useful for Curriculum Developers because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Curriculum Developers may use the course techniques to design more effective curricula.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create and develop educational materials and programs, including online courses, textbooks, and other learning resources. This course may be useful for Instructional Designers because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Instructional Designers may use the course techniques to design more effective learning materials.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects, including math, science, English, and history. They work with students to help them learn and grow. This course may be useful for Teachers because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Teachers may use the course techniques to make their teaching more effective.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research to advance knowledge in a variety of fields, including science, medicine, and social sciences. They use research methods to investigate problems and develop new solutions. This course may be useful for Researchers because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Researchers may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their research topics and to communicate their research findings more effectively.

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Editor

Editors review and edit written content, including books, articles, and scripts. They work with writers to improve the quality of their writing. This course may be useful for Editors because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Editors may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their editing craft and to edit more effectively.

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Librarian

Librarians help people find and access information. They work in libraries and other information centers to provide access to books, articles, and other resources. This course may be useful for Librarians because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Librarians may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their library science craft and to help their patrons learn more effectively.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with data to identify patterns and trends, and to develop models that can be used to make predictions. This course may be useful for Data Scientists because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Data Scientists may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their data science craft and to solve problems and make predictions more effectively.

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Writer

Writers create written content, including books, articles, and scripts. They work with words to communicate ideas and stories. This course may be useful for Writers because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Writers may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their writing craft and to write more effectively.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with code to create software that meets the needs of users. This course may be useful for Software Engineers because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Software Engineers may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their software engineering craft and to design, develop, and maintain software applications more effectively.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators oversee the collections of museums. They work with collections of artifacts, specimens, and other objects to preserve and make accessible cultural and historical heritage. This course may be useful for Museum Curators because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Museum Curators may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their museum science craft and to preserve and manage museum collections more effectively.

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Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical records. They work in archives and other institutions to preserve and make accessible documents, artifacts, and other historical materials. This course may be useful for Archivists because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Archivists may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their archival science craft and to preserve and manage historical records more effectively.

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Journalist

Journalists gather and report on news and current events. They work with words and images to inform the public. This course may be useful for Journalists because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Journalists may use the course techniques to learn more effectively about their journalism craft and to report more effectively.

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Educational Researcher

Educational Researchers study how people learn and develop, and how to improve educational practices. They use research methods to investigate how students learn, how teachers teach, and how schools operate. This course may be useful for Educational Researchers because it provides evidence-based techniques for improving learning. Researchers may use the course techniques to design studies or improve their own learning.

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