The New Science of Learning: How to Learn in Harmony With Your Brain - Softcover

Doyle, Terry; Zakrajsek, Todd D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1620366576 ISBN 13: 9781620366578

Publisher: Routledge, 2018

Synopsis

Learning to learn is the key skill for tomorrow. This breakthrough book builds the foundation every student needs, from freshman orientation to graduate school. The second edition of this bestselling student text has been considerably updated with the latest findings from cognitive science that further illuminate learning for students, and help them understand what's involved in retaining new information. Beyond updating every chapter with insights from new research, this edition introduces a range of additional topics such as cognitive load, learned helplessness, and grit all of which provide students with immediately usable information on how to regulate their lives to maximize learning and fulfillment in college. The premise of this book remains that brain science shows that most students learning strategies are highly inefficient, ineffective or just plain wrong; and that while all learning requires effort, better learning does not require more effort, but rather effectively aligning how the brain naturally learns with the demands of intellectual work. This book explicates for students what is involved in learning new material, how the human brain processes new information, and what it takes for that information to stick, even after the test. This succinct book explains straightforward strategies for changing how to prepare to learn, engage with course material, and set about improving recall of newly learned material at will. This is not another book about study skills and time management strategies, but instead an easy-to-read description of the research about how the human brain learns in a way that students can put into practice right away.

About this title

Review

"This new edition is a fascinating book for students, and a valuable resource for professors, advisors, tutors in academic support centers, and even coaches. Terry Doyle and Todd Zakrajsek have updated their book to include the latest research on how our brains learn and factors that can help increase one's learning power by using researched-based strategies. In every-day terms, they have broken down the 'scientific' workings of the brain and give practical advice that students can use to help them increase their learning and recall, especially when they are challenged with difficult tasks.

Doyle and Zakrajsek give their readers a solid foundation for becoming lifelong learners in a way that is harmonious with the scientific learning. They do not promise a magical transformation with ease, but they do give readers ways to transform their learning capacity by using research-based strategies so that the time and effort spent is worthwhile and rewarding. This book is perfect for students to learn about methods and activities to use when learning so that their time and efforts are maximize."--Kathleen F. Gabriel, Associate Professor, School of Education "California State University, Chico "

"There are so many examples of learning we have all encountered or seen in the classroom yet lacked the scientific evidence or approach to back it up and leverage it for ourselves and our students. This book should be required for all new college students in freshman seminar-like classes and for all faculty. Whether a new faculty member or just one who needs to reenergize their own growth mindset, each will enhance their teaching and subsequently student learning. The evidence for improved nutrition, sleep, and fitness overwhelmingly supports good health and improved learning but this book provides concrete ideas to model and reinforce positive behaviors in the classroom. Providing a variety of concrete examples and discussion make for easy translation to any discipline from science and math to the arts."--Dana D. Connell, MBA, Associate Chair and Associate Professor "Fashion Studies Columbia College Chicago "

"Mathematics instructors at Riverside City College spent several years incorporating the first edition of this book into the curriculum with positive documented outcomes.This book empowers students to take control of their own learning. The second edition is even more engaging than the first and includes good discussion questions at the end of each chapter. I look forward to using the new edition in my classes!"--Kathy Nabours, Associate Professor of Mathematics "Riverside City College "

"As should be clear from the title, this interesting little book is explicitly targeted at learners, and perhaps more specifically at students. It's not a very long book, but the authors do a good job of giving valuable synopses of research about how the brain works without getting into levels of technicality that might be daunting or distracting for students. As a professor, I would consider myself a 'professional learner, ' but I still found some interesting tidbits in here, including a few recommendations I will probably try myself. As a teacher, and someone who is interested in the process of learning, I found much, but not all, of the material to be things I already had floating around in my head, but this book provides some explicit information about the relevant research, and I would be surprised if much of the material was already known by undergraduate students. Within the first 10 pages, I was imagining using the book in class, so most of my reflections come from that viewpoint. Since this is an MAA review, it's probably worth pointing out that the book isn't specifically devoted to mathematics, but is about learning in general. This means that different sections vary in their relevance to a mathematical classroom. I think I would be more likely to use this in a liberal arts type of math class, where the goals are more about attitude or thought process than a calculus or topology class."--Mathematical Association of America

"Readable, practical, playful, and fresh. The New Science of Learning breathes new life into the student success space. Students at many levels will benefit from brain research made easy to understand and apply. Reading this book is a great start to more strategic and successful learning."--Kyle Heys, Co-Director: Access and Instruction, Center for Student Success "Calvin College "

About the Author

Terry Doyle is the Chief Instructor for Faculty Development and Coordinator of the New Faculty Transition Program for the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning at Ferris State University. Todd Zakrajsek is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Executive Director of the Academy of Educators in the School of Medicine. He currently directs three Lilly Conferences on College and University Teaching and Learning and sits on two educationally related boards: ERI for Lenovo Computer and TEI for Microsoft.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1620366576
• ISBN 13: 9781620366578
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 188