How We Learn

Benedict Carey has written a readable, fascinating, and practical book about learning. In How We Learn, Carey surveys over a century of learning research and extracts lessons anyone can apply to increase learning effectiveness. Carey cites research that disproves much of what we have been taught about how to learn. Distractions, varying study routines, forgetting can all increase learning effectiveness. Much of the study advice students receive is actually wrong. Educators, students, parents, athletes, anyone needing to learn—which is all of us—will benefit from reading this book. Carey summarizes many of the findings described in the book in an appendix composed in a question and answer format. It would have been more helpful if he had outlined the learning recommendations scattered throughout the book in a more direct format. This is the only disappointment of the book. Otherwise, How We Learn should prove a valuable guide to increased learning effectiveness.