Overview
After reading and digesting A Mind for Numbers by Prof. Barbara Oakley, you may wish to clarify your understanding by consulting additional sources before you compose your answers to the following questions. Be sure the words in your submitted essays are your own! The texts you submit will be evaluated digitally for originality. Long quotes from sources should be avoided; all short quotes must be footnoted to clearly identify their specific source. Each essay should be about 200 words long. Also consult grading rules for all gates. Your study of physics this semester will be guided by a book called "A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra)" (AMFN) by Barbara Oakley (2. Oakley, B. A. (2014). A mind for numbers: How to excel at math and science (even if you flunked algebra). New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin.)
Its 13-digit ISB number (ISBN) is 978-0399165245. It is available through many online book sellers and should be in most of the book stores near the UAB campus. It is also available as an audiobook : ASIN: B00R5081JU
AMFN is a fantastic resource based on current neuroscience and psychology research in optimizing learning of complex material, such as physics and math. Following the practices suggested in this book will help you to reach your goals for this course and throughout the rest of your studies. In fact, it's one of our Physics Online team's favorite books, and we find it very helpful in our work life.
You are only required to read Chapters 1-4 of this book in order to complete the assignment on AMFN (see the A Mind For Numbers: Assignment in Module1, and you will be asked to answer some essay questions on the book in order to complete the assignment). We find that students typically elect to read the entire book, as it is so helpful in improving study habits and learning of science, technology, engineering, math, and medical (STEMM) material.
To summarize, your tasks related to AMFN are:
1) Read chapters 1-4 (minimum requirement)
2) As you read, work through the physics quizzes in the course modules, and take notes for yourself on your current learning habits and note improvements/adjustments that you make to these (based on AMFN). Be as specific as possible! You'll use this information to complete the AMFN module quiz A Mind For Numbers: Assignment
3) Complete the quiz questions in : A Mind For Numbers: Assignment