Grasp: The Science Transforming How We Learn

I appreciate that the author does not attempt to proffer a definitive solution to learning for all students--while also providing valuable guidance to educators. The author does make one point emphatically: the need to improve access to learning for all. I have been teaching science and mathematics to high school students in an underprivileged area in India. Most of my career has been in the field of technology. It has struck me that each student is unique in the way she learns. I recognize that I had designed my teaching for how I study. It turned out that my style of learning was not right for every pupil in my class. From this book, I have gained insight into many other aspects of learning that apply to different segments of the population--one size does not fit all. Of course, that poses a challenge when there are many students in a class. This book has come out in the digital classroom era, where custom tailoring of education to suit individual students is more feasible. Here is a beautiful proclamation from the epilogue of the book. "For too long, we've blindly obeyed educational traditions built on precarious scientific evidence, and consequently impeded learning everywhere. Now, the opportunities presented by a more intentional approach-to place learning above winnowing; to place access above exclusivity are too promising to ignore. There is no better day than today to announce a new age of learning. Before the hour grows any later, let's fire off a cannonade not of gunpowder but of action potentials and get started. "

The most entertaining read on the history of education, a heavy dose on the science of learning, a brief exploration into radical change in higher ed, and a splash of creative educational optimism. I'd love to spend a week with Sanjay and his crew and talk about radical ideas for how the reach of education can be furthered (and how to do it in a novel way). Reading about the MicroMasters (and the MicroMinors!) is reassuring - especially as higher education is being forced into a reframing period. Must read for anyone who wants to improve education in P-16. Also, any book that features Woodie Flowers is a must read!

This is a super interesting book about the science of learning. It's very well written and provides practical information about how we learn!

...I meeaaan he’s like the Willy Wonka of learning!! “ 🎶 Cooome with him, and you’ll skim, a wooorrrrld of pure pedagogification🎶 “ Outstanding.

A very readable book that looks at the history of how we learn; the intricacies and theories of memory and the brain; MIT’s experience with educational technology; and the MOOC revolution. Sanjay Sarma’s sense of humor adds to the storytelling. I like the way the authors look at “curiosity” in learning. Highly recommended.

As a retired applied linguistics/ESL teacher, I found reading "Grasp" a great experience. The author is fine guide through the history of research into the workings of the brain and arguments of the icons of education like Dewey, James, Thorndike, Piaget and Skinner. Authoritative but friendly with personal anecdotes and humor, MiT students competing in a renowned robot class, and the ongoing development of online learning at MIT and around the world. All the time the book tells a story with an arc like a good novel that keeps you wondering what will happen next. Very prescient, something teachers, administrators, learning theorists and "parents" are grappling with today in this time of COVID. The epilogue—a compassionate call to action. Jerry Whitus

Grasp explores the mechanics of brain structure, how neurons encode and retain knowledge, and how the brain functions as a learning and retrieval tool. It explores teaching/learning methods, and how online learning can be maximized for a wider range of humans worldwide than are traditionally accepted to schools and universities. The authors also follow a unique and fascinating semester-long MIT robotics class to demonstrate highly effective learning strategies. You will be rewarded in many ways when you read this book!

intriguing and practical information from two authors who have clearly put in the work to get it right

A lot of talk about nothing useful. Author does reference spaced learning and interleaving - but most everyone heard of those long ago.

This is a wonderful book. It is engaging, witty, and inspiring. We know that education needs major reforms, if not a revolution, and this book provides the history, science, insights, pitfalls, case studies, and novel ideas for this revolution. The authors bring forth a huge volume of scientific information (especially in neuroscience and learning) in compelling and interesting ways. This book is highly recommended for everyone, for it will inspire, not just teachers and practitioners, but new generations of learners as well.

I appreciate that the author does not attempt to proffer a definitive solution to learning for all students--while also providing valuable guidance to educators. The author does make one point emphatically: the need to improve access to learning for all. I have been teaching science and mathematics to high school students in an underprivileged area in India. Most of my career has been in the field of technology. It has struck me that each student is unique in the way she learns. I recognize that I had designed my teaching for how I study. It turned out that my style of learning was not right for every pupil in my class. From this book, I have gained insight into many other aspects of learning that apply to different segments of the population--one size does not fit all. Of course, that poses a challenge when there are many students in a class. This book has come out in the digital classroom era, where custom tailoring of education to suit individual students is more feasible. Here is a beautiful proclamation from the epilogue of the book. "For too long, we've blindly obeyed educational traditions built on precarious scientific evidence, and consequently impeded learning everywhere. Now, the opportunities presented by a more intentional approach-to place learning above winnowing; to place access above exclusivity are too promising to ignore. There is no better day than today to announce a new age of learning. Before the hour grows any later, let's fire off a cannonade not of gunpowder but of action potentials and get started. "

The most entertaining read on the history of education, a heavy dose on the science of learning, a brief exploration into radical change in higher ed, and a splash of creative educational optimism. I'd love to spend a week with Sanjay and his crew and talk about radical ideas for how the reach of education can be furthered (and how to do it in a novel way). Reading about the MicroMasters (and the MicroMinors!) is reassuring - especially as higher education is being forced into a reframing period. Must read for anyone who wants to improve education in P-16. Also, any book that features Woodie Flowers is a must read!

This is a super interesting book about the science of learning. It's very well written and provides practical information about how we learn!

...I meeaaan he’s like the Willy Wonka of learning!! “ 🎶 Cooome with him, and you’ll skim, a wooorrrrld of pure pedagogification🎶 “ Outstanding.

A very readable book that looks at the history of how we learn; the intricacies and theories of memory and the brain; MIT’s experience with educational technology; and the MOOC revolution. Sanjay Sarma’s sense of humor adds to the storytelling. I like the way the authors look at “curiosity” in learning. Highly recommended.

As a retired applied linguistics/ESL teacher, I found reading "Grasp" a great experience. The author is fine guide through the history of research into the workings of the brain and arguments of the icons of education like Dewey, James, Thorndike, Piaget and Skinner. Authoritative but friendly with personal anecdotes and humor, MiT students competing in a renowned robot class, and the ongoing development of online learning at MIT and around the world. All the time the book tells a story with an arc like a good novel that keeps you wondering what will happen next. Very prescient, something teachers, administrators, learning theorists and "parents" are grappling with today in this time of COVID. The epilogue—a compassionate call to action. Jerry Whitus

Grasp explores the mechanics of brain structure, how neurons encode and retain knowledge, and how the brain functions as a learning and retrieval tool. It explores teaching/learning methods, and how online learning can be maximized for a wider range of humans worldwide than are traditionally accepted to schools and universities. The authors also follow a unique and fascinating semester-long MIT robotics class to demonstrate highly effective learning strategies. You will be rewarded in many ways when you read this book!

intriguing and practical information from two authors who have clearly put in the work to get it right

A lot of talk about nothing useful. Author does reference spaced learning and interleaving - but most everyone heard of those long ago.