Once upon a time, Dr. Barbara Oakley was a self-described math and science hater—and failing. She gave up on education and joined the army after high school. But while serving in the military, she realized that her lack of math and science skills were going to hold her back and she revisited higher education. Her subsequent success was a revelation. Oakley ultimately went on to earn two undergraduate degrees, a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a Doctorate in Systems Engineering, and even became fluent in Russian. Oakley’s journey from failing student to bilingual PhD inspired her to dive into the science and methodologies of learning. Building on insights from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and student outcomes, Oakley has authored and collaborated on numerous best-selling books that provide techniques to master even the most intimidating subjects.

We can learn far more than we think we can—the trick is (taking) time to do it. You can think you have no talent for something, but you can turn out to have ultimately more talent than all the superstars.

Oakley brings a fresh perspective on learning by applying knowledge and data from many different disciplines, as well as from “real world” experiences. She offers straightforward tools for students and educators alike to improve the ability to learn. Explains Oakley, “Learning, at its core, is figuring out tricks to get information into long term memory, and to practice with it enough, that it seems natural, easy, and comfortable.” Barbara Oakley’s latest book Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn takes another step in bridging the gap between research and the classroom, providing strategies for keeping students motivated and engaged (especially with online learning), tips for long-term content retention, and guidelines for how to teach in a classroom where students have a wide range of abilities.

With her own experience as evidence, Barbara Oakley claims that almost anyone can grasp math, science, or any subject at any age. “Some (learners) are like race cars—they can get to the finish line really fast. Others are like hikers—they can get to the finish line, but slower. For the race car driver, everything goes by in a blur. The hiker sees the leaves on the trees, smells the pine in the air, hears the birds. It’s a completely different experience for the hiker and in some ways far richer and deeper. The world needs both kinds of learners.”