Barbara Oakley
Born: November 24, 1955 – Lodi, California, United States
Barbara Oakley is an American engineering professor and author who writes about how people learn, especially in STEM and adult education. Her notable books include A Mind for Numbers, Mindshift, and Uncommon Sense Teaching. She co-created the widely used Learning How to Learn course, extending her influence to millions of learners worldwide.
Biography & Author's Journey
Barbara Oakley’s route to prominence as a writer on learning was notably nonlinear. After struggling with math and science in school, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, studied Russian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, earned a B.A. in Slavic languages and literature from the University of Washington, and served in Germany as a signal officer, eventually becoming a captain. A decisive turn came when her work with communications equipment showed her how much technical fluency mattered. She returned to school, earned a B.S. in electrical engineering, later completed an M.S. and Ph.D. at Oakland University, and joined its faculty in 1998. ((https://barbaraoakley.com/about-me/))
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Popular Books
Uncommon Sense Teaching
Barbara Oakley
Neuroscience-backed teaching secrets that transform struggling students into stars
A Mind for Numbers
Barbara Oakley
Unlock your brain's potential to excel in math and science, even if you've struggled before. Learn effective strategies for mastering challenging subjects.
Mindshift
Barbara Oakley
Unlock your hidden potential and overcome learning obstacles through neuroscience-backed strategies for personal growth and career transformation.
Learn Like a Pro
Barbara Oakley
Master the art of learning with science-backed strategies to boost focus, memory, and efficiency in any subject.
Uncommon Sense Teaching
Barbara Oakley
Neuroscience-backed teaching secrets that transform struggling students into stars
A Mind for Numbers
Barbara Oakley
Unlock your brain's potential to excel in math and science, even if you've struggled before. Learn effective strategies for mastering challenging subjects.
Mindshift
Barbara Oakley
Unlock your hidden potential and overcome learning obstacles through neuroscience-backed strategies for personal growth and career transformation.
Learn Like a Pro
Barbara Oakley
Master the art of learning with science-backed strategies to boost focus, memory, and efficiency in any subject.
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Community Voices
"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"
— Adam Grant
"Barbara Oakley opens the door to an entirely new way of seeing and reaching our potential"
— Seth Godin
"Barbara Oakley is a renowned researcher and professor at Oakland University whose long and unconventional career is difficult to sum up"
— RSU News
"Barbara Oakley is a great teacher"
— Mike Rowe
"Dr. Barbara Oakley disagrees, and she has the science to prove it"
— Coursera Blog
"Barbara Oakley is to be commended"
— Joyce Carol Oates
"Barbara Oakley’s MOOC Learning How to Learn is the exception to this trend"
— eLearning Industry
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
