The First Element of Effective Thinking: Understand Deeply

In this first of five videos, mathematics professor Michael Starbird talks about the first element in his new book, The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking, co-authored with Williams College professor Edward B. Burger.
The book is a distillation of Starbird and Burger's decades of teaching. It offers real-life stories, explicit action items, and concrete methods that are designed to enable the reader to become more successful through better thinking.
Starbird is a professor of mathematics and University Distinguished Teaching Professor at The University of Texas at Austin. He has received more than a dozen teaching awards, has given more than 150 invited lectures at colleges and universities throughout the country, and more than 20 minicourses and workshops to mathematics teachers.

[@RobertCookcx]

When someone speaks with passion about simple things....and engages the listener to the point of jamais vu, you know you have found a special teacher. Michael Starbird, you sir are a special teacher.

[@KenLongTortoise]

sir: your teaching of stats for the teaching company launched my kids and i on a lifelong love of math learning, thank you for all you do and a demonstration of the beauty of the life of the mind

[@paullivingstone640]

I loved hearing the trumpet masterclass story again after reading it in the book. As a professional musician, I know exactly what this is powerful... as it should be as applied to any subject. Pt Ravi Shankar practiced the basics of sitar in his warm up everyday into his 90s, because he knew that mastery never ends... and everything has a foundation to know deeper and deeper.

[@guyrich6467]

I've read the book once. I'm on round two right now. It's so enjoyable to hear you speaking again, and reminding us of this story from the book. I have many of your Teaching Co courses. It's time to go back to Calculus and review the basics!

[@zzsql]

I feel fortunate that I had this thought without the input of someone else. I always review what I know because it does look different from a position of greater knowledge.

[@elijahlucian]

if you find that a source of pride you might be missing the point. Trying to "just know" things leads to gaps on knowledge that could otherwise be filled by being ok with "learning from somebody / something"

[@victorpavlov5140]

+zzsql Winner of a video, I been tryin to find out about "how to become a literary genius" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Ronny Geniusify Epiphany - (search on google ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my work buddy got cool results with it.

[@pebblepod30]

I'm a fan of Michel Starbird

[@user-iv5le8lx3s]

interesting! thanks for the upload!!

[@muskduh]

Thanks for the review

[@Ezinma88]

Great story.

[@esaugamez8101]

So what was the lesson i don get it?

[@possiblymaybe.]

It's useful to go back to the basics on whatever you're learning. Since you have greater knowledge now, you'll see things differently.