The Power of Mindful Learning by Ellen J. Langer

This is a thought provoking book on "education" and "learning". It argues that traditional methods of learning can produce mindless behaviour because they tend to suggest that there is only one answer to a problem or a single correct way to tackle a task. The author argues that it is important to teach skills and facts conditionally, to adopt varying perspectives and to set the stage for doubt and an awareness that different situations may call for different approaches or answers.

The book describes seven myths that in the view of the author undermine true learning and discuses how we can avoid their debilitating effects. The myths are:

1. The basics must be learnt so well that they become second nature.
2. Paying attention means staying focused on one thing at one time.
3. Delaying gratification is important.
4. Rote memorisation is necessary in education.
5. Forgetting is a problem.
6. Intelligence is knowing "what's out there."
7. There are right and wrong answers.

The arguments are backed up by a number of scientific studies - many of them conducted by the author her self.