Mastering Action First Learning: How to Boost Engagement and Outcomes

It’s time to ditch the lectures. The secret to creating powerful learning content that people actually pay attention to and use in their daily lives is all about action. 

Dr. Karl Kapp introduces us to action-based learning in this episode – his go-to tactic for making learning more engaging, useful, and practical. Karl is a Professor of Instructional Technology at Bloomsburg University and the author of multiple books, including Action-First Learning and Learning in 3D.

He explains what action-based learning really looks like and why front-loading learners with bags of information is the wrong approach. His method is to throw learners into realistic scenarios and activities that break down the barrier of failure-avoidance.

Karl also talks about the missing piece of most training sessions: reflection. He shares what good reflection activities look like and why it needs to be an ongoing process to get that new knowledge to stick.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 01:19 Introduction to Karl
• 01:19 – 03:30 Karl’s number one tip for using images or video in learning
• 03:30 – 05:35 What is action first learning? How it ties to psychology 
• 05:35 – 09:15 How to avoid the feeling of failing in adult learning
• 09:15 – 13:02 The ideal time for action-based learning
• 13:02 – 17:57 Why reflection is essential to turn learning into action
• 17:57 – 20:43 When to schedule reflection after a learning session
• 20:43 – 25:34 How images and video add visual cues that support learning
• 25:34 – 28:08 Speed round questions
• 28:08 – 29:46 How to connect and learn more from Karl
• 29:46 – 30:46 Karl’s final take
• 30:46 – 31:38 Outro

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Karl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlkapp/
• Subscribe to L&D Easter Eggs LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6599686641453977600
• Subscribe to Karl’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfKapp01
• Discover the Power of Coloring and Comics in Adult Learning! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4mP7RFgoTc
• Action-First Learning Video Playlist from Karl’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVi60d2W1s2bE8RKKRdOe4vViSITluUX8
• Curriculum for Getting Started with Action-First Learning https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/curriculum-getting-started-action-first-learning-karl-kapp-bq6pe/?trackingId=TPK40f%2BVTzmP6VL2fvMwlQ%3D%3D
• New Kind of Super Hero Movie-A New Kind of Training? https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-kind-super-hero-movie-a-training-karl-kapp-auh6e/?trackingId=Sg17J0QWSz%2BoaWIfOAc7aQ%3D%3D