Person
Every book Jo Boaler recommended on podcasts
Based on her appearance on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Jo Boaler is an educator deeply focused on cognitive flexibility, mathematical learning, and the ways in which human minds process complex information. During episode number 226, titled Jo Boaler: How to Learn Math and released on September 27, 2021, Boaler discussed the book Elastic: Flexible Thinking in a Time of Change by physicist Leonard Mlodinow. While speaking with Lex Fridman, Boaler noted her strong fondness for the book, acknowledging that Fridman likely knew the work as well. She referenced Mlodinow's concepts to explore how human beings develop and require elastic minds to navigate a rapidly changing world. By bringing up this specific text during her conversation about mathematics education, Boaler underscored the critical importance of moving away from rigid thinking patterns toward creative, adaptable cognitive approaches. Her mention of the book served to support her broader educational philosophy that learning, particularly in subjects like math, thrives when individuals cultivate mental elasticity and embrace open-ended exploration rather than rote memorization.
Books recommended by Jo Boaler
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Elastic
Elastic by Leonard Mlodinow is a thought-provoking exploration of human neuroplasticity and the cognitive skills required to adapt and thrive in an era of rapid technological and cultural transformation.
Recommended“there's a book i like a lot but i've been by physicists you probably know this book could elastic you might know it um and it's about how we want elastic minds”
Where to get it
Books Jo Boaler wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| #226 – Jo Boaler: How to Learn Math | Lex Fridman Podcast | 2021-09-27 | 1 |
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“in my limitless mind book i interviewed quite a few people who'd been told they couldn't do math sometimes by parents sometimes by teachers”