Learn Like a Pro audiobook cover - Science-based Tools to Become Better at Anything

Learn Like a Pro

Science-based Tools to Become Better at Anything

Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe

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Key Takeaways from Learn Like a Pro

Learning Tools

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Mind Map

Learn Like a Pro
Focus & Distraction Management+
Problem Solving Modes+
Deep Learning Strategies+
Memory Management+
Building Intuition+
Exam Preparation+
Metacognitive Learning+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
What should you do during the five-minute break of a Pomodoro session according to the text?
  • A. Check emails and social media quickly to stay updated.
  • B. Read a chapter of an unrelated book to shift your focus.
  • C. Go for a walk or make a cup of tea to let your brain recharge.
  • D. Transition to a second complex task to maintain momentum.
Question 2 of 9
How does the 'Hard Start Technique' utilize diffuse mode thinking?
  • A. By forcing you to complete the hardest question before moving to the next.
  • B. By starting with a hard question, leaving it when stuck, and letting the brain work on it in the background.
  • C. By doing a mindless activity like doing the dishes before starting any study session.
  • D. By breaking down a difficult problem into 25-minute focused intervals.
Question 3 of 9
Why is 'interleaving' (such as randomly mixing up paintings by different artists) an effective learning strategy?
  • A. It prevents the brain from getting bored with one subject.
  • B. It forces the brain to think harder about the differences and contrasts between the concepts.
  • C. It allows the procedural system to take over entirely from the declarative system.
  • D. It strengthens the working memory's capacity to hold more than four thoughts at once.
Question 4 of 9
What does the technique of 'elaboration' (or self-explanation) involve?
  • A. Explaining what you are learning in your own words.
  • B. Writing detailed summaries in the left margin of your notes.
  • C. Visualizing complex concepts as familiar objects in your house.
  • D. Memorizing the exact textbook definitions of new terms.
Question 5 of 9
In the book's metaphor, what does the 'attentional octopus' represent?
  • A. Long-term memory, which has an infinite capacity for storing facts.
  • B. Procedural memory, which handles intuitive and automatic tasks.
  • C. Short-term or working memory, which can hold about four thoughts at once.
  • D. Diffuse mode thinking, which reaches out to connect different areas of the brain.
Question 6 of 9
What is the primary function of the procedural learning system?
  • A. To consciously acquire new facts and theoretical information.
  • B. To turn learned knowledge into fast-acting intuition and automatic skills.
  • C. To evaluate your own learning progress objectively.
  • D. To temporarily hold information before it moves to the mental locker.
Question 7 of 9
According to the authors, what is the most effective way to use old exams for test preparation?
  • A. Reading through the correct answers to save time and avoid cognitive overload.
  • B. Memorizing the questions because professors frequently reuse the exact same ones.
  • C. Working out the answers yourself to strengthen procedural memory.
  • D. Using them to identify the professor's favorite topics, then rereading the textbook.
Question 8 of 9
What is the first step in Phil Winne and Allyson Hadwin’s four-step model for self-regulated learning?
  • A. Set specific goals and make a concrete plan.
  • B. Test out different tools and learning resources.
  • C. Check your progress and evaluate your study methods.
  • D. Make sure you fully understand the task at hand.
Question 9 of 9
How does the 'memory palace' technique help you memorize information?
  • A. By breaking the material into small, manageable chunks of text.
  • B. By assigning memorable images to concepts and placing them in a familiar visualized location.
  • C. By writing the information repeatedly until it enters procedural memory.
  • D. By discussing the information out loud with peers in a dedicated study space.

Learn Like a Pro — Full Chapter Overview

Learn Like a Pro Summary & Overview

Learn Like a Pro: Science-based Tools to Become Better at Anything (2021) looks at the most powerful strategies for staying focused and learning effectively. Both coauthors draw on their past struggles with learning, and use insights from experts and research to find out what works and what doesn’t. 

Who Should Listen to Learn Like a Pro?

  • Students looking to supercharge their learning
  • Anyone who has struggled to learn something new
  • Education gurus

About the Author: Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe

Barbara Oakley, PhD, is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in California. In addition to teaching several popular MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) on Coursera, Oakley has also written numerous books on learning, such as Learning How to Learn and Mindshift.

Olav Schewe is founder and CEO of Educas, an education start-up in Oslo, Norway, that helps students learn more effectively. He is also a consultant for Kahoot, one of the largest educational companies in the world. Schewe’s book Super Student has been translated into 17 languages.

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