How We Learn

The New Science of Education and the Brain

An illuminating dive into the latest science of how we learn – and how we do it better than machines

In today’s technological society, with an unprecedented amount of information at our fingertips, learning plays a more central role than ever. In How We Learn, Stanislas Dehaene decodes its biological mechanisms, delving into the neuronal, synaptic, and molecular processes taking place in the brain. He explains why youth is such a sensitive period, but also assures us that we can enhance our learning and memory at any age. We can all “learn to learn” by taking advantage of the four pillars of the brain’s learning algorithm: attention, active engagement, error feedback, and consolidation.

The human brain is an extraordinary machine. Its ability to process information and adapt to circumstances is unparalleled, and it remains the best source of inspiration for recent developments in artificial intelligence. How We Learn finds the boundary of computer science, neurobiology, and cognitive psychology to explain how to make the best use of the brain’s learning algorithms, in our schools and universities as well as in everyday life.