AI is the next gamechanger says Coursera's Dr. Oakley
Times of Bennett | Updated: Aug 22, 2025 21:30
BU Correspondent
Greater Noida, 22nd August 2025
Bennett University , in collaboration with Coursera , proudly hosted Dr. Barbara Oakley , Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Oakland University , Rochester, Michigan, and Coursera’s Inaugural Innovation Instructor, on August 22 for an insightful session titled ‘Ancient Wisdom meets Modern Minds: Learning in the age of AI’. Dr. Oakley is an acclaimed American educator, writer, and engineer, renowned for her pioneering work at the intersection of education, neuroscience, and engineering.
Delivering an engaging session connecting neuroscience, education, and AI, she said, “Effective learning is grounded in neuroscience – recall, retrieval, and repeated practice strengthen the brain. Neuroscience and AI are now working hand in hand, helping us understand how we learn and how we can learn better. Fast, automatic learning and slow, deliberate practice both play vital roles, yet education systems often neglect the latter, which is essential for mastery. AI can support recall and retrieval, but it cannot replace human critical thinking. Knowledge already exists within us — education and practice simply unlock it.”
She further added, “True expertise comes not just from what AI generates, but from building knowledge within us. To me, online learning and some of its advantages are some of the coolest things to be in place in education today, helping to guide you to courses that can walk you through the step-by-step scaffolding you need to truly begin understanding new material."
Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience, Dr. Barbara Oakley offered compelling insights into how our brains build knowledge through two key systems: the declarative system for conscious learning and the procedural system for automatic skill development. Her research underscores that even in a digital-first world, internal knowledge remains foundational to deeper understanding and long-term learning.
She highlighted why traditional teaching methods may align more closely with how we naturally learn—and how modern tools like ChatGPT can be integrated to support, not replace, deep learning.
Dr.Raj Singh , Vice Chancellor, Bennett University, said, “We are deeply honoured to host Dr. Barbara Oakley, whose pioneering work at the intersection of neuroscience and education resonates strongly with our vision at Bennett University. Her presence adds immense value to our journey of becoming a global leader in education, research, and innovation, empowering a higher learning ecosystem and entrepreneurial development, significantly facilitating, expediting, and intensifying our efforts in that direction. At Bennett, we carry forward the 186-year legacy, and we cater to outcomes but also focus on the process of education.”
This session highlighted how traditional teaching approaches may be more aligned with the brain’s natural learning processes than previously assumed. It also offered practical strategies for integrating tools like ChatGPT to support—not replace—core cognitive development. Attendees gained actionable techniques to balance the use of AI with evidence-based learning methods across disciplines such as mathematics, science, and language arts.
The discussion delved deeper into how neuroscience, AI, and proven pedagogical practices can come together to shape the future of learning in India.
Greater Noida, 22nd August 2025
Delivering an engaging session connecting neuroscience, education, and AI, she said, “Effective learning is grounded in neuroscience – recall, retrieval, and repeated practice strengthen the brain. Neuroscience and AI are now working hand in hand, helping us understand how we learn and how we can learn better. Fast, automatic learning and slow, deliberate practice both play vital roles, yet education systems often neglect the latter, which is essential for mastery. AI can support recall and retrieval, but it cannot replace human critical thinking. Knowledge already exists within us — education and practice simply unlock it.”
She further added, “True expertise comes not just from what AI generates, but from building knowledge within us. To me, online learning and some of its advantages are some of the coolest things to be in place in education today, helping to guide you to courses that can walk you through the step-by-step scaffolding you need to truly begin understanding new material."
Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience, Dr. Barbara Oakley offered compelling insights into how our brains build knowledge through two key systems: the declarative system for conscious learning and the procedural system for automatic skill development. Her research underscores that even in a digital-first world, internal knowledge remains foundational to deeper understanding and long-term learning.
She highlighted why traditional teaching methods may align more closely with how we naturally learn—and how modern tools like ChatGPT can be integrated to support, not replace, deep learning.
Dr.
This session highlighted how traditional teaching approaches may be more aligned with the brain’s natural learning processes than previously assumed. It also offered practical strategies for integrating tools like ChatGPT to support—not replace—core cognitive development. Attendees gained actionable techniques to balance the use of AI with evidence-based learning methods across disciplines such as mathematics, science, and language arts.
The discussion delved deeper into how neuroscience, AI, and proven pedagogical practices can come together to shape the future of learning in India.
