Uncommon Sense Teaching – Audio!
12th February 2025
Cheery Friday Greetings from Barb Oakley!
Double the Learning Fun! Uncommon Sense Teaching on Sale at Audible
Exciting news to share in this week’s Cheery Friday! Audible is running a “Buy One, Get One” sale from now to February 24, and Uncommon Sense Teaching is included in the promotion! During this sale, Audible members can grab two audiobooks from the approved list for just one credit. If you’re not an Audible member yet, you can start with a free 30-day trial. This is a great opportunity to enjoy practical teaching insights or dive deeper into learning strategies—don’t miss out!
Debate, Discuss, and Decide: Try Sway in Critical Thinking!
Looking to sharpen your critical thinking skills? Our Critical Thinking for Better Decisions in the ChatGPT Era MOOC has just introduced an exciting new feature called Sway! Toward the end of the first module, you’ll find a unique exercise that lets you dive into fascinating debates with fellow learners. Sway pairs you with a classmate who holds a different perspective on topics like “Do emotions hinder or enhance critical thinking?” or “Will AI eventually outperform human judgment?” Guided by an AI named Guide, the chat helps clarify arguments, pose thoughtful questions, and ensures everyone feels heard. It’s an engaging way to challenge your ideas, gain fresh insights, and hone your decision-making skills. Ready to see it in action? Enroll today and explore the first module of Critical Thinking for Better Decisions in the ChatGPT Era to try Sway and join the conversation!
My Personal Approach to Reading Books
Recently, a thoughtful reader reached out with a great question: how do you approach reading books, especially when trying to master a topic? It’s a fantastic question, and as I reflected on my own habits, I realized that my reading style is a mix of deliberate focus and delightful randomness. Let me share some of my personal guidelines and quirks around reading—developed over years of trial and error.
On Picking Books: A Mix of Strategy and Serendipity
While I sometimes start with a well-chosen book to gain an overview of a topic, my approach isn’t always that methodical. I love downloading lots of Kindle samples and “snooping around” to see what catches my interest. It’s like treasure hunting—you never know what gem might pique your curiosity! When I’m intrigued by an area, say generative AI, I keep my eyes open for recommendations or books that align with that theme. But often, it’s a bit random, and that’s part of the fun!
Reading the Whole Book vs. Summaries
I’m not a fan of summaries—they often miss the depth that makes a book truly valuable. That said, I don’t feel the need to read every single word, either. Instead, I focus on the sections that resonate with me and skim through the rest. This keeps me engaged while still capturing the insights I’m looking for.
The Value of Finishing Books
I don’t finish every book I start—far from it! In fact, I often finish only one in five. But when a book feels foundational or deeply inspiring, I make a deliberate effort to see it through. Finishing certain books helps deepen my understanding and builds the discipline to stay committed when it really matters.
When Reading Feels Hard
We all go through times when reading feels like a slog. I’ve had stretches of months where I just can’t seem to focus. During those times, I set tiny goals—like reading just one page or a small percentage of a book on my Kindle. These little steps help me stay in the habit without feeling overwhelmed.
Additional Tips for Enjoyable and Effective Reading
- Embrace randomness: Don’t be afraid to explore books that seem interesting, even if they’re not part of a plan. Sometimes the most rewarding discoveries are unplanned!
- Use active recall: Pause occasionally to reflect on or summarize what you’ve read. It’s a great way to absorb ideas more deeply.
- Layer your learning: Combine reading with other activities, like discussing the ideas with others or putting them into practice.
For me, reading isn’t just about learning—it’s about curiosity, exploration, and enjoying the journey. Whether your approach is random, deliberate, or somewhere in between, the key is to keep turning the pages and see where they lead you.
How Leaders Can Harness the Science of Learning
My two-part interview on The Good Leadership Podcast with Charles Good is now available! In these episodes, we explore how the science of learning can help leaders and teams apply strategies like active recall, interleaving, and self-monitoring to tackle challenges and drive meaningful results. We also discuss how to avoid outdated learning strategies like passive reading and cramming, and instead focus on techniques that truly make learning stick. Here’s Part I and Part II. It’s a conversation I truly enjoyed, and I hope you find it just as valuable!
Honored to Be Named a Top Education Influencer for 2024!
I’m excited to share some fun news this week—I’ve been named one of Mamapedia’s top education influencers for 2024! Mamapedia, a vibrant online community of over 3.5 million parents, recognized my work in helping learners and educators dive deeper into neuroscience and the future of learning. It’s an honor to be featured alongside such incredible contributors. If you’d like to check out the full article, you can find it here: Spotlight on the Top 18 Education Influencers and Experts of 2024. Thank you to Mamapedia for this wonderful recognition!
That’s all for now. Have a happy week in learning!
Barb Oakley
- Uncommon Sense Teaching—the book and Coursera Specialization!
- The LHTL recommended text, A Mind for Numbers
- For kids and parents: Learning How to Learn—the book and MOOC. Pro tip—watch the videos and read the book together with your child. Learning how to learn at an early age will change their life!
