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Deep Teaching Solutions

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

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

Status: Cognitive flexibility
Status: Willingness To Learn
BeginnerCourse16 hours

Featured reviews

RS

5.0Reviewed Sep 6, 2015

I am a more effective learner as a result of this course. It has also, surprisingly, increased my enjoyment while learning. Thanks to Barbara and Terry for a well presented and informative production.

BH

5.0Reviewed 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.

SR

5.0Reviewed 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.

AK

4.0Reviewed Aug 15, 2021

S​ome cool new techniques and understanding where they fit in the bigger picture.I​ wish I was made aware of this growing up.T​hanks Barbara Oakley, Terry Sejnowski, and the Learning How to Learn Team

MT

5.0Reviewed 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.

CD

5.0Reviewed Aug 1, 2020

This course accumulates a clear and valuable set of thoughts that structure knowledge about learning principles and tactics. Also, it was interesting to know some new things about how the brain works.

MM

5.0Reviewed Aug 14, 2015

I really loved this course. Great teacher(s) who can explain the material in an easy way. I also loved the explanation of how the brain works. Thanks for the tools on how to learn more effective.Menno

JS

5.0Reviewed Aug 13, 2017

I really appreciate the time these guys invested in this course and am willing to take it again if they re-explain some topics in order to refresh some things that with time haven't stayed in my mind.

BA

5.0Reviewed Nov 5, 2016

Amazing course, I learned a lot of new techniques for self motivation, and effecient learning. Now, I feel more confident to take further steps in improving and developing myself. Thank you so much :)

EB

5.0Reviewed May 19, 2016

I found this course incredibly useful and practical. It has not only helped me better understand the process of learning but it has also given me valuable tools in how to optimize my learning process.

VG

5.0Reviewed Aug 20, 2017

I highly recommend everyone to take this course. The course makes so much of sense and it reasons why someone learns the way they learn and it debunks a lot of misconceptions and myths around memory.

GR

5.0Reviewed Sep 9, 2016

This is a course which I enjoyed. It gave a good insight of the learning methodologies which we have often heard of but not given due importance. Also, the brain facts is cool :) My 5/5 to this course

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 10,000

Patrick McGee
1.0
Reviewed Aug 20, 2017
Szymon Krzemiński
4.0
Reviewed Mar 22, 2019
Keenan Leonard-Solis
5.0
Reviewed Mar 11, 2019
Antonello Chessa
1.0
Reviewed Oct 19, 2018
Oshan
5.0
Reviewed Apr 29, 2016
Vikash Mishra
5.0
Reviewed Jun 29, 2017
Kunal Ghosh
5.0
Reviewed Feb 4, 2016
Adriana M S S
5.0
Reviewed Oct 3, 2015
Thomas Stephen
1.0
Reviewed Sep 23, 2019
Ross Smith
5.0
Reviewed Sep 7, 2015
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5.0
Reviewed Mar 7, 2019
Vit Ver
1.0
Reviewed Sep 30, 2018
Zélia Maria Lemos Bezerra Leite
5.0
Reviewed Nov 23, 2015
Amit Khandelwal
5.0
Reviewed Aug 17, 2017
Myra Clemens
5.0
Reviewed Oct 29, 2019
Esteban Brenes
5.0
Reviewed May 19, 2016
Greeshma M R
5.0
Reviewed Sep 10, 2016
Juan Salvador De los Santos
5.0
Reviewed Aug 14, 2017
Jonathan Fisher
1.0
Reviewed Sep 23, 2019
Bahaa Alhinnawi
5.0
Reviewed Nov 6, 2016