The World's Best Book Summaries
Are you a slow learner? Do you feel pressure to learn faster? How much do you learn when you cram for a test? Imagine that the tortoise and the hare are in a learning race. Now, imagine the tortoise crossing the finish line first. In Limitless Mind, math educator Jo Boaler explains why slow learning gives you an advantage. Keep reading to learn how being a slow learner can put you ahead.
What’s conceptual knowledge? Is it superior to the rote learning method? In Limitless Mind, math educator Jo Boaler shares the latest science about how people learn. Based on the research, she argues that flexible approaches to learning and teaching are more productive than older, more rigid practices. Continue reading to compare the two approaches of rote learning and conceptual knowledge in education.
How do our brains work differently when working with others? What happens when we’re exposed to other ways of thinking? In Limitless Mind, published in 2019, Jo Boaler explains how neuroscience research has overturned our age-old beliefs about how learning works. Based on what we now know, she says that we must foster true collaboration so that students are exposed to many ways of thinking. Read more to discover the benefits of collaborative learning.
When students struggle, what if we took advantage of that difficulty rather than trying to “fix” it? What’s a productive alternative to marking test answers as wrong? In Limitless Mind, math educator Jo Boaler shows that the brain is capable of learning new skills and incorporating new ideas throughout our lives and that struggling to learn and making mistakes are integral parts of cognitive growth. With this in mind, she urges us to rethink education. Keep reading to learn several education reform ideas put forth in Boaler’s book.
Curious to learn about Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings? What schools did he open? What is the Self-Realization Fellowship? Paramahansa Yogananda was a renowned yogi who founded schools that combined spiritual and practical education. Yogananda’s teachings, which explained the science of kriya yoga, aimed to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western cultures. Read on to learn about Yogananda’s teachings, including the schools he founded during his lifetime.
Does the aptitude theory of learning hold water? What can help you excel even if you’re not in the “gifted” category? Science now says that we’re capable of learning more and better than we think. So, built-in aptitudes are no longer seen as the be-all and end-all when it comes to how much and how well we learn. Math educator Jo Boaler explains that the way we think about learning matters tremendously. Keep reading to discover the importance of attitude in learning.
Are affirmative action policies still relevant in 2023? Why do some lawmakers want to eliminate affirmative action policies? The Supreme Court will soon decide whether to eliminate affirmative action policies. One side says these policies are still needed to create a just society. The other says they create reverse discrimination. We’ll look at both sides of the debate here.
Can an old dog learn new tricks? Does your brain ever “max out” on learning? In Limitless Mind, math educator Jo Boaler shows that the brain is capable of learning new skills and incorporating new ideas throughout our lives. She reminds us that we never stop being students and that we’re capable of continual education. Read more to understand how you can keep on learning throughout your life.
What’s QuestionStorming? How can it unlock ideas and solutions you’d never find otherwise? In The Innovator’s DNA, Hal Gregersen, Jeff Dyer, and Clayton Christensen identify five key skills that are shared by the world’s most innovative business leaders. One of these skills is questioning, and the authors recommend a technique called QuestionStorming to develop and implement this skill. Read more to learn how you can use QuestionStorming to find innovative solutions.
Is the state of climate science worse than the state of the climate itself? How could it be made more useful? According to Steven Koonin, climate science is in big trouble. He argues that climate science is frequently misconstrued, and he attempts to diagnose the root of this problem and propose a remedy. Continue reading to learn Koonin’s suggestions for repairing climate science.