Wise Up: The Challenge of Lifelong Learning

by Guy Claxton

It had been thought that learning was a matter of intelligence or diligence, that differences in achievement were due to "ability" or "effort." The new science of learning suggests that learning power can be enormously increased. It shows that the brain will deliver mastery of complex environments without supervision by the conscious, rational mind. Indeed, thinking too hard can get in the way of practical learning. In the author's best-selling Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind , he described the new skills of learning and focused on the three "slow" processes of intuition, contemplation and creativity. In Wise-Up, he looks at the full mental processes of learning-not only the "slow" ones-and teaches how to acquire, hone, and expand those qualities and skills.

Genres: Education

Paperback

First published September 18, 1999

About the author

Guy Claxton is Emeritus Professor of the Learning Sciences at the University of Winchester. His many publications include Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind: Why Intelligence Increases When You Think Less. He lives in the UK.

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book as it talks about how people learn and when it's best to brainstorm and when not. Most interesting were the new and interesting ways teachers are teaching. This was the first time I realized schools that don't teach in groups are not teaching correctly. This was my introduction into learning and was the first to introduce me to the fact that putting things on the back burner is good. Working constantly on an issue is not helpful and won't get you the really good idea.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up and just skimmed it. There was some interesting stuff about using stories to educate, and so then I started reading a book that does that, rather than writes about it, instead.

[Tyler Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly a great way to start the new year. Loved reading this book. Taught me some insightful lessons.