The link between learning design and habit design with Britt Andreatta

About Britt Andreatta

Britt Andreatta is a thought leader who creates brain science-based solutions for today's challenges. As CEO of 7th Mind, Inc., Britt draws on her unique background in leadership, neuroscience, psychology, and learning to unlock the best in people and organizations.

Former Chief Learning Officer for Lynda.com and Senior Learning Consultant for Global Leadership and Talent Development at LinkedIn, Britt is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience.

Key takeaways:

• The basal ganglia is a group of structures found deep within your brain. They are activated when you perform habits. This is “autopilot” mode, which helps enable you to do tasks quickly, accurately and without conscious thought.  A useful mindset as a learning designer is to think about design habits.
• The brain’s reward system is a powerful motivation for humans to complete tasks. As learning designers, it’s important to leverage this concept and implement cues within your learning design.
• Ensure you are fully analysing what needs to be done and how effective your learning material is. Don’t take clients' analysis at face value, so go back to square one and be clear on what the best solution is.
• You can apply brain-based strategies to both in-person and online environments. The main thing is giving the learners enough space and time to practise. Britt recommends simulations, role plays and virtual reality for this.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) Introduction.
• (00:01:50) The link between habits and workplace learning.
• (00:05:04) Integrating cues and rewards in learning design.
• (00:08:08) Brain-based strategies used for building habits.
• (00:11:10) The importance of analysing the full learning experience.
• (00:13:24) Strategies for digital learning.
• (00:16:25) When to consider using VR for learning.
• (00:21:16) Why learning designers don’t apply enough brain-based strategies.

Links from the podcast:

• Connect with Britt on LinkedIn
• Britt’s Website
• Read the book ‘Wired To Grow’ by Britt Andreatta
• Books and resources Brit recommended
  • ‘The Power of Habit’ by Charles Duhigg
  • ‘Make it Stick’ by Henry Roediger III, Mark McDaniel and Peter Brown
  • Nature 
  • Scientific American