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Barbara Oakley
Bioengineer
Barbara Oakley, PhD, is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and Ramón y Cajal Distinguished Scholar of Global Digital Learning at McMaster University. Her research involves bioengineering with an emphasis on neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Alongside legendary neuroscientist Terrence Sejnowski, Dr. Oakley teaches two massive open online courses (MOOCs), 'Learning How to Learn,' the world's most popular course, and 'Mindshift,' the companion course to her most recent book of the same title.
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7 min
What geniuses get wrong about being “smart”
With great genius comes great rigidity. Professor Barabara Oakley on how to stay mentally agile — and get smarter as a result:
Why confirmation bias kills your brain
Humans tend to hunker down in our own minds and trust what we already believe to be true. This emotion-based way of thought isn't often the best way to think about anything, and often leads to gridlock.
John Templeton Foundation
8 min
How to turn information into intelligence
Having trouble learning? A PhD engineering professor gives you one key tip.
John Templeton Foundation
3 min
Learning Speeds and Styles: Is Your Mind a Hiker or a Race Car Driver?
What's the best way to learn something new? Embrace your inner imposter, and don't worry about speed—here's why.
7 min
Brain Bias: Why Not to Emulate Geniuses and Their Rigid Thinking Process
Humans tend to hunker down in our own minds and trust what we already believe to be true. This emotion-based way of thought isn't often the best way to think about anything, and often leads to gridlock.
8 min
The Science of Learning: How to Harness Your Brain’s Neural Networks
Having trouble learning? Take a break and your brain will process the information. You'll learn better and faster.
5 min
Is It Really Possible to Change Someone’s Beliefs?
Ideology doesn’t bend to reason, says Professor Barbara Oakley. Here's why we can't really change what other people believe, and why that brand of "helping" others can backfire.