Julie Dirksen, a learning strategy consultant and author of 'Design For How People Learn,' shares her insights on effective behavior change in education. She highlights the importance of learner motivation and discusses her collaboration with the United Nations to integrate behavioral science into training. Delving into the Combi model, she explores capability and opportunity in fostering change. Additionally, Julie reveals how AI and VR are revolutionizing learning environments by providing personalized feedback and immersive experiences.
Effective learning design must motivate learners by addressing emotional responses and contextual support to facilitate lasting behavior change.
The COM-B model provides a comprehensive framework for identifying barriers to behavior change by focusing on capability, opportunity, and motivation.
Deep dives
Understanding Learner Motivation
Motivating learners to apply their knowledge in practice is crucial for effective learning experiences. Behavioral science explores the reasons behind why individuals may fail to engage in desired behaviors despite having the necessary knowledge. This disconnect often stems from a lack of motivation or contextual support that encourages individuals to change their behavior. By addressing these factors, learning designers can better facilitate lasting behavior change in their audiences.
The Role of the Elephant and the Rider
The dual decision-making model likens the emotional automatic brain to an elephant and the rational thinking brain to a rider. The elephant, representing emotional responses, often prioritizes immediate comfort over long-term goals. This implies that effective communication about behavior change must engage both systems, appealing to the rider's logical reasoning while also addressing the elephant's instinctual reactions. Understanding this dynamic is key for designers aiming to influence behavior effectively.
Key Concepts in Behavior Change Design
The COM-B model emphasizes the necessary conditions for behavior change: capability, opportunity, and motivation. Capability assesses whether individuals possess the knowledge and skills to perform the desired behavior, while opportunity examines the environmental support available. Motivation considers both reflective and automatic factors that influence behavior. This comprehensive approach aids designers in identifying and addressing barriers to successful behavior changes in their learning programs.
The Future of Learning Design with AI
Artificial intelligence promises to enhance learning design by providing scalable feedback, improving interactivity, and personalizing learner experiences. Current learning methodologies often depend on simplistic multiple-choice assessments, which may not gauge true understanding or competency. AI's ability to generate tailored feedback can address this gap, enabling more meaningful engagement in learning environments. However, a cautious approach is necessary to ensure that AI outputs are accurate and reliable, especially as these technologies continue to evolve.
Julie Dirksen is an author and learning strategy consultant, renowned for her expertise in creating impactful learning solutions. She wrote the bestselling book Design For How People Learn, and her latest release, Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change, is gaining significant attention.
Julie’s diverse clientele includes Fortune 500 companies, international NGOs, tech startups, and research initiatives.
Julie blends behavioral science with innovative learning design to craft transformative educational experiences, and her insights are reshaping learning strategies across various sectors.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode