內容簡介
The companion book to COURSERA?'s wildly popular massive open online course "Learning How to Learn"Whether you are a student struggling to fulfill a math or science requirement, or you are embarking on a career change that requires a new skill set,
A Mind for Numbers offers the tools you need to get a better grasp of that intimidating material. Engineering professor Barbara Oakley knows firsthand how it feels to struggle with math. She flunked her way through high school math and science courses, before enlisting in the army immediately after graduation. When she saw how her lack of mathematical and technical savvy severely limited her options—both to rise in the military and to explore other careers—she returned to school with a newfound determination to re-tool her brain to master the very subjects that had given her so much trouble throughout her entire life.
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In
A Mind for Numbers, Dr. Oakley lets us in on the secrets to learning effectively—secrets that even dedicated and successful students wish they’d known earlier. Contrary to popular belief, math requires creative, as well as analytical, thinking. Most people think that there’s only one way to do a problem, when in actuality, there are often a number of different solutions—you just need the creativity to see them. For example, there are more than three hundred different known proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem. In short, studying a problem in a laser-focused way until you reach a solution is not an effective way to learn. Rather, it involves taking the time to step away from a problem and allow the more relaxed and creative part of the brain to take over. The learning strategies in this book apply not only to math and science, but to any subject in which we struggle. We all have what it takes to excel in areas that don't seem to come naturally to us at first, and learning them does not have to be as painful as we might think!
作者簡介
Barbara Oakley is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She has received many awards for her teaching, including the coveted National Science Foundation New Century Scholar Award.
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精彩書評
“A good teacher will leave you educated. But a great teacher will leave you curious. Well, Barbara Oakley is a great teacher. Not only does she have a mind for numbers, she has a way with words, and she makes every one of them count.”
—Mike Rowe, creator and host of Discovery Channel’s "Dirty Jobs" and CEO of mikeroweWORKS“If you struggled through math and slept through science, there’s hope. In
A Mind for Numbers, polymath Barbara Oakley reveals how to unlock the analytic powers of our brains so we can learn how to learn. This book should be required reading for students—and for my mother.”
—Adam Grant, New York Times-bestselling author of Give and Take"Superb not only for those who are struggling or who are expert at math, but for readers who wish to think and comprehend more efficiently."
—Library Journal“An ingeniously accessible introduction to the science of human cognition—along with practical advice on how to think better.”
—James Taranto, The Wall Street Journal?
“In my book?
The Math Instinct, I described how we have known since the early 1990s that all ordinary people can do mathematics, and in?
The Math Gene, I explained why the capacity for mathematical thinking is both a natural consequence of evolution and yet requires effort to unleash it. What I did not do is show
how to tap in to that innate ability. Professor Oakley does just that.”
—Keith Devlin, NPR?Weekend Edition’s “Math Guy”“A wonderful book! How do you come to
love math and science, and how do you come to
learn math and science? Read
A Mind for Numbers. Barbara Oakley is the magician who will help you do both.”
—Francisco J. Ayala, University Professor and Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, and former President and Chairman of the Board, American Association for the Advancement of Science“Being good at science and mathematics isn’t just something you
are; it’s something you
become. This users’ guide to the brain unmasks the mystery around achieving success in mathematics and science. I have seen far too many students opt out when they hit a rough patch. But now that learners have a handy guide for ‘knowing better’ they will also be able to ‘do better.’”
—Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources Programs, American Association for the Advancement of Science?
“
A Mind for Numbers?is an excellent book about how to approach mathematics, science, or any realm where problem solving plays a prominent role.”?
—J. Michael Shaughnessy, Past President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics?
“I have not been this excited about a book in a long time. Giving students deep knowledge on
how to learn will lead to higher retention and student success in every field. It is a gift that will last them a lifetime.”
—Robert R Gamache, Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and International Relations, University of Massachusetts, Lowell?
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A Mind for Numbers helps put students in the driver’s seat—empowering them to learn more deeply and easily. This outstanding book is also a useful resource for instructional leaders. Given the urgent need for America to improve its science and math education so it can stay competitive,
A Mind for Numbers is a welcome find.”
—Geoffrey Canada, President, Harlem Children's Zone?
"It's easy to say 'work smarter, not harder,' but Barbara Oakley actually shows you how to do just that, in a fast-paced and accessible book that collects tips based on experience and sound science. ?In fact, I'm going to incorporate some of these tips into my own teaching." ?
—Glenn Harlan Reynolds, Beauchamp Brogan Distinguished Professor of Law, The University of Tennessee?
“
A Mind for Numbers is a splendid resource for how to approach mathematics learning and in fact learning in any area. Barbara Oakley’s authoritative guide is based on the latest research in the cognitive sciences, and provides a clear, concise, and entertaining roadmap for how to get the most out of learning. This is a must-read for anyone who has struggled with mathematics and anyone interested in enhancing their learning experience.”
—David C. Geary, Curators’ Professor of Psychological Sciences and Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, University of Missouri
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“For students afraid of math and science and for those who love the subjects, this engaging book provides guidance in establishing study habits that take advantage of how the brain works.”
—Deborah Schifter, Principal Research Scientist, Science and Mathematics Programs, Education Development Center, Inc.“A Mind for Numbers explains the process of learning in a fascinating and utterly memorable way. This book is a classic, not only for learners of all ages, but for teachers of all kinds.”
—Frances R. Spielhagen, Ph.D., Director, Center for Adolescent Research and Development, Mount Saint Mary College 前言/序言
好的,這是一本關於如何掌握復雜概念和提升學習效率的實用指南。 《精進:深入理解與高效學習的藝術》 圖書簡介 在這個信息爆炸、知識更新速度日益加快的時代,僅僅“知道”信息已不足以應對挑戰,真正的競爭力在於“理解”和“應用”復雜概念的能力。本書《精進:深入理解與高效學習的藝術》並非一本關於特定學科知識的教科書,而是一本全麵革新的學習方法論工具箱。它旨在打破傳統填鴨式、被動接受的學習模式,引導讀者構建一套係統、高效、持久的知識獲取與內化體係。 本書的核心洞察在於:學習的本質並非記憶容量的比拼,而是心智模型的構建與連接能力。我們的大腦更擅長處理圖像、故事和結構化的信息,而不是孤立的、抽象的公式或術語。因此,本書從認知科學、心理學的前沿研究中汲取靈感,提煉齣瞭一套經過實踐檢驗的、適用於任何領域(無論是人文藝術、商業管理,還是復雜的技術學科)的精深學習策略。 第一部分:打破思維的桎梏——重塑你的學習認知 學習的起點,往往是思維定勢的瓦解。很多人在麵對難題時,本能地認為是自己“不夠聰明”或“沒有天賦”。本書首先挑戰瞭這種根深蒂固的“固定型思維”。我們深入探討瞭“成長型思維”的實際操作層麵,闡明瞭“能力是可以被訓練和塑造的”這一核心信念如何驅動學習的動力。 我們將剖析“心智模式”(Mental Models)的構建過程。心智模式是組織我們理解世界的基本框架。本書會詳細介紹如何從海量的輸入中,提煉齣學科的“骨架”和“核心邏輯”。例如,在金融領域,理解復利和機會成本的思維模型,遠比背誦一百個財務術語來得重要。我們提供瞭一套流程,指導讀者識彆學科中的基礎原理,並建立起一個可以承載後續所有知識的穩固結構。 此外,我們還討論瞭“刻意練習”與“舒適區”的微妙關係。真正的進步發生在略微超齣當前能力範圍的區域,但過度挑戰會導緻挫敗感。本書提供量化指標和自我評估工具,幫助讀者精準定位到這個“學習的甜蜜點”(The Learning Sweet Spot),確保每一次努力都指嚮有效增長。 第二部分:深度吸收——從被動輸入到主動構建 傳統的閱讀和聽課常常是低效的,因為它們是單嚮的信息傾瀉。本書強調,深度學習必須是主動的、參與式的過程。 主動迴憶與提取練習(Active Recall and Retrieval Practice): 這是本書最為推崇的關鍵技巧。我們詳細闡述瞭大腦如何通過“提取”而非“重新閱讀”來鞏固記憶。書中提供瞭從卡片係統到思維導圖的多種提取練習方法,教會讀者如何設計有效的“自測”情境,讓大腦在努力迴憶的過程中,加深神經連接。 交錯學習(Interleaving): 為什麼我們不能一次性學完某一主題的所有內容?本書解釋瞭交錯學習的認知優勢——將不同但相關的主題穿插學習,能迫使大腦不斷區分、比較和切換策略,從而形成更靈活、更不易混淆的知識網絡。我們提供瞭在不同學科中應用交錯學習的實際範例。 費曼技巧的實戰應用: 學習的最高境界是能夠嚮一個完全不懂的人清晰解釋復雜概念。本書將費曼技巧分解為可執行的步驟:選擇概念、教授給“五歲小孩”、識彆知識盲區、以及迴顧和簡化。這不僅是檢驗理解程度的試金石,也是強迫自己從“熟悉”走嚮“精通”的必經之路。 第三部分:知識的融閤與創新——構建你的知識“操作係統” 知識孤島是低效學習的標誌。真正的創新和解決問題的能力,來自於跨領域知識的融閤。 類比思維與跨界映射: 本書探討瞭如何利用已掌握領域的原理,去類比和理解全新的領域。例如,利用生物學中的“生態係統”概念來分析商業競爭格局。我們提供瞭識彆有效類比和避免錯誤類比的準則,幫助讀者建立起一張宏大的知識地圖。 構建個人知識庫(Personal Knowledge Management, PKM): 在數字化時代,管理信息比獲取信息更具挑戰性。本書詳細介紹瞭一套係統化的個人知識管理框架,側重於如何將零散的筆記、閱讀摘要、會議記錄轉化為相互關聯、可供檢索和再創造的“資産”。這包括工具的選擇(從傳統筆記本到數字筆記軟件)以及信息的組織哲學,確保知識可以“隨取隨用”。 係統化地應對遺忘麯綫: 遺忘是自然規律,但我們可以科學地管理它。本書結閤間隔重復(Spaced Repetition)原理,指導讀者如何定製個性化的復習計劃,確保關鍵知識點在最可能被遺忘的臨界點得到鞏固,從而將短期記憶高效地轉化為長期、穩固的知識儲備。 總結 《精進:深入理解與高效學習的藝術》是一本關於如何“學習如何學習”的深度指南。它不提供快速通關的秘籍,而是提供一套紮實的、基於科學的工具和哲學,幫助任何渴望精通任何復雜技能的讀者,從根本上提升認知效率,最終實現對知識的深度掌控和創造性運用。翻開本書,你將開啓的,是一場關於心智潛能的探索之旅。