Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.

Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.

Author and Professor of Engineering at Oakland University

Barbara Oakley, PhD, PE, is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and writer of national acclaim. Her research focuses on the complex relationship between neuroscience and social behavior. Dr. Oakley’s research has been described as “revolutionary” in the Wall Street Journal—she has published in outlets as varied as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and The New York Times.
Author Website

Philosopher's Notes on Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.'s Books

A Mind for Numbers
LockedPhilosopher's Notes

A Mind for Numbers

by Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.

Although, as per the sub-title, the book is ostensibly about “How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra),” it’s really about excelling at learning and at LIFE! Barbara Oakley is an award winning engineering teacher who used to struggle mightily with math and science. She walks us through the latest research in neuroscience and learning as she shares fascinating biographical sketches of scientific + mathematical luminaries along with wisdom from other world-class teachers. Great stuff.

Quotes by Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.

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It’s important to transform distant deadlines into daily ones. Attack them bit by bit. Big tasks need to be translated into smaller ones that show up on your daily task list. The only way to walk a journey of a thousand miles is to take one step at a time.
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
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Multitasking is like constantly pulling up a plant. This kind of constant shifting of your attention means that new ideas and concepts have no chance to take root and flourish.
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
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The essential point here is that the zombie, habitual part of your brain *likes* processes, because it can march mindlessly along. It’s far easier to enlist a friendly zombie habit to help with a process than to help with a product.
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
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Focus on the process (the way you spend your time) instead of the product (what you want to accomplish).
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
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In learning, persistence is often far more important than intelligence.
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
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Reshaping your brain is under your control. The key is patient persistence—working knowledgeably with your brain’s strengths and weaknesses.
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
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Research has shown this helps your subconscious to grapple with the tasks on the list so you figure out how to accomplish them. Writing the [task] list before you go to sleep enlists your zombies to help you accomplish the items on the list the next day.
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
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When you follow these concrete tips based on how we actually learn, you’ll be amazed to see the changes within yourself, changes that can allow new passions to bloom.
Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
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