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===== Barbara Oakley =====

===== Biography =====

Barbara Oakley is an American educator, engineer, and writer, known for her work in the field of learning and teaching techniques, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.

Barbara Oakley was born on May 5, 1955, in Los Angeles, California, USA. She grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. Despite experiencing difficulties in mathematics and science during her early education, Oakley developed a keen interest in these subjects later on.

Oakley earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. She went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army, where she worked as a signals officer stationed in Germany. After her military service, Oakley pursued further education, obtaining a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, San Diego, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Oakland University. See more at https://barbaraoakley.com/

===== Key Contributions on Learning How to Learn =====

Barbara Oakley has had a diverse career spanning academia, engineering, and writing. She has held various academic positions, including serving as a professor of engineering at Oakland University and as an instructor at the University of California, San Diego. Oakley's teaching experiences have greatly influenced her research on learning strategies and educational psychology.

One of Oakley's notable contributions to education is her development of the massively open online course (MOOC) titled [["Learning How to Learn"]], which she co-created with [[Terry Sejnowski]]. This course, offered through platforms like Coursera, has attracted millions of learners worldwide and has been praised for its accessible explanations of cognitive science principles and practical study techniques.

Oakley has also authored several books, including "A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra)" and "Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential." These books explore strategies for overcoming learning obstacles and cultivating effective learning habits.

In addition to her academic and writing pursuits, Oakley has been involved in various engineering projects and has contributed to research in areas such as complex systems and information fusion.

**Side note:** [[https://hoanganhduc.com/ | Anh-Duc Hoang (Albus)]], the author of this Encyclopedia also involved in the translation of Barbara's Learning How to Learn course into Vietnamese. He also developed the Vietnamese version of [["Learning How to Learn"]] on https://ilms.cunghoc.edu.vn/ (Co-learning) - a MOOCs platform for Vietnamese teachers, and translated Barbara's book "Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights In Brain Science To Help Students Learn"


===== Recognition and Impact ===== 

Barbara Oakley's work has been widely recognized and has had a significant impact on education. She has received awards for her teaching, including the National Science Foundation New Century Scholar Award. Oakley's innovative approaches to teaching and learning have helped countless students improve their academic performance and develop a deeper understanding of complex subjects.

Beyond academia, Oakley's books and online courses have reached a broad audience, inspiring learners of all ages to embrace lifelong learning and develop effective study habits. Her work continues to influence educators and students around the world, contributing to ongoing discussions about the future of education and the importance of metacognition in learning.