Barbara Oakley author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, licenciado bajo CC BY-SA 4.0.

Barbara Oakley

Nacido: 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.

Biografía y Trayectoria del Autor

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/))

Mostrar Más

Citas

quote
I love to bring fresh perspectives into my books by applying knowledge and experience from many different disciplines, as well as from “real world” experiences
-Welcome
quote
If you’re simply convinced you don’t have a knack for numbers or science, this book may change your mind
-A Mind for Numbers
quote
An ability to recall—to generate the ideas from inside yourself—is one of the key indicators of good learning
-10 Rules of Good Studying
quote
Modern careers are like nonstop conveyor belts — you have to keep moving and learning no matter what stage you’re at
-Could Singapore hold the secret to preparing workers for an uncertain future?
quote
What changed wasn’t his innate ability—it was the techniques he learned and practiced, under pressure, in real competition
-Recommendation: Everyday Genius
quote
When working memory gets overloaded, the brain defaults to the model-free system
-Recommendation: Why We Have Two Learning Systems

Descubre más

Psychology & pedagogy
PLAN DE APRENDIZAJE

Psychology & pedagogy

This curriculum bridges the gap between cognitive science and practical instruction, offering a comprehensive look at how humans learn and grow. It is ideal for educators, corporate trainers, and lifelong learners seeking to optimize educational outcomes through data-driven psychological insights.

5 h 33 m4 Secciones
Oliver sacks and Alex boese
PLAN DE APRENDIZAJE

Oliver sacks and Alex boese

This learning plan bridges the gap between neurological observation and skeptical inquiry, offering a unique look at how our brains process reality. It is ideal for curious minds, students of psychology, and anyone looking to sharpen their critical thinking skills against modern misinformation.

5 h 10 m4 Secciones
The science of teaching
PLAN DE APRENDIZAJE

The science of teaching

This learning plan bridges the gap between cognitive science and classroom practice, providing educators with a rigorous foundation in how the human brain learns. It is ideal for teachers, instructional designers, and educational leaders looking to replace intuition with evidence-based strategies that guarantee student success.

3 h 44 m4 Secciones
Sustainable Learning Systems
PLAN DE APRENDIZAJE

Sustainable Learning Systems

In an era of rapid technological change, the ability to learn how to learn is the ultimate competitive advantage. This plan is designed for professionals, educators, and lifelong learners who want to transform fleeting information into a scalable, AI-enhanced system for continuous mastery.

3 h 43 m4 Secciones
Mastering the Laws of Human Nature
PLAN DE APRENDIZAJE

Mastering the Laws of Human Nature

This learning plan is essential for professionals who want to move beyond surface-level interactions and understand the psychological drivers of behavior. It is particularly valuable for aspiring leaders and women navigating complex corporate environments who need to master both self-regulation and social influence.

2 h4 Secciones
Rewire Your Mind for Mastery
PLAN DE APRENDIZAJE

Rewire Your Mind for Mastery

This plan is designed for lifelong learners and professionals seeking a cognitive edge in a rapidly changing world. By combining neuroscience, metacognition, and social psychology, it provides a comprehensive toolkit for personal and professional evolution.

1 h 30 m3 Secciones
The Mechanics of Self-Awareness
PLAN DE APRENDIZAJE

The Mechanics of Self-Awareness

This plan is designed for individuals looking to master their cognitive processes and improve decision-making through metacognition. It is ideal for professionals, students, or creatives who want to move beyond surface-level thinking and gain precise control over their mental output.

1 h 45 m3 Secciones
The Architecture of a Cultivated Mind
PLAN DE APRENDIZAJE

The Architecture of a Cultivated Mind

This plan is designed for lifelong learners and professionals seeking to deepen their intellectual foundations beyond surface-level information. It provides the essential tools for anyone looking to master critical thinking, classical literacy, and the rigorous discipline of self-directed study.

1 h 30 m3 Secciones

Voces de la Comunidad

"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

Preguntas frecuentes sobre esta página

Creado por exalumnos de la Universidad de Columbia en San Francisco

BeFreed Reúne a una Comunidad Global de 1,000,000 Mentes Curiosas

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Comienza tu viaje de aprendizaje, ahora