I was bad at math.
Possibly I still am. I missed a lot of recess in third grade
as I struggled with multiplication tables. I had to take Calculus II twice in college.
This isn’t an inherent
quality of mine. My struggles with math stemmed from lack of effort, poor study
habits and
inadequate preparation leading to falling farther and farther behind.
(Incidentally, I managed to earn and engineering
degree in spite of myself.) These are things that can be overcome by learning
skill and developing good habits.
In A Mind for Number, Barbara
Oakley describes the learning skills and habits needed to master math and science.
Actually, you could use the advice in this book to improve you’re learning in
any field. I started a new job a couple of months ago and I’m using some of the
techniques to get up to speed as fast as I can and develop a deeper
understanding of the industry I’m working in.
People tend to associate
math and science with focused thinking. It is necessary to focus, especially
when you are taking in new material. However, it is also very important to take
breaks to allow for diffuse thinking, something like daydreaming, so the brain
can stumble upon connections between thoughts, ideas and memories that
are not obvious, or even available, when you are focused. This diffuse thinking
helps one to gain a broader understanding of a subject that makes acquiring new
information easier when you return to focused thought.
That broader
understanding is important. Math and science is more than a great pile of
facts. There are concepts that link these facts, and understanding these
concepts helps you to understand and remember the facts. As Oakley points out,
mastery of math and science is not only about knowing techniques for solving
problems, is also about recognizing when to use a technique.
You brain can be your
friend or enemy when it comes to learning. Oakley gives readers tips on how to
get friendly with your brain. Struggling with a subject can be the result from
leaning on our brains weaknesses. We can learn to apply our brains strengths to
learning. Some of the things our brain is good at are remembering locations,
remembering images (the wilder the better) and forming powerful habits.
Oakley doesn’t just talk
about learning skills. Her book is structured in a way that demonstrates and
encourages readers to use the techniques she describes.
I wish I had come across
a book like this when I was much younger. Learning is a skill, and improving
learning skills can help you improve in anything you want to learn.
If you’re interested in
this book, you may also be interested in
Oakley, Barbara. A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and
Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra). New York: TarcherPerigee,
2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment