Another chance to hear the inaugural episode of Great Minds on Learning, which was originally aired back in March 2021 to considerable acclaim. In this series, Donald Clark – the internationally famous author, blogger and entrepreneur, joins John Helmer to discuss the history of thought and theorising about learning.  This particular episode is about The Cognitivists, a group of theorists who made a vital contribution to what we now know about the mechanics of memory and learning.   ---------- 00:47 Why is memory such an important focus for the cognitivists? 02:27 Introducing the Cognitivists 04:07 Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909) 13:49 George A. MIller (1920-2012) 19:25 Richard C. Atkinson (1929- ) & Richard Shiffrin (1942- ) 24:09 Alan Baddeley (1934- ) 28:49 Endel Tulving (1927- ) 37:57 John Sweller (1946- ) 47:04 Summing up: the Cognitivists and Behaviourism ----------   The Blog that started it all: http://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/2020/08/100-learning-theorists-2500-years-of.html   Ebbinhaus bit.ly/2VvoxkX Miller bit.ly/37OaB85 Atkinson & Shiffrin bit.ly/37SEKTK Baddeley bit.ly/37WfFHq Tulving bit.ly/2VmFKNw Sweller bit.ly/2I7Pt2t   Contact Donald Twitter: @DonaldClark LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-clark-04553022/ Blog: http://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/   Contact John Helmer Twitter: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/   Download the new white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer & Ben Betts – Suite Dreams: The Past, Present and Future of Learning Systems https://learningpool.com/suite-dreams/

Internationally respected author, blogger and learning expert, Donald Clark joins John Helmer of the Learning Hack podcast to discuss the history of thought and theorising about learning.   From the Greeks to the Geeks, they cover 2,500 years of thought and science on learning. The inspired, the enduring, the wacked-out weird and the just plain wrong, from Socrates to the present day.   Starting with a repeat of the popular pilot episode The Cognitivists on 30 August, the series proper kicks off on 13 September and runs fortnightly.   Here's Season One: * The Behaviorists * Instructionalists * Practice * Holists * Online Educators * The Enlightenment   Don't miss a single episode: subscribe now.

The Learning Hack is taking a seasonal break. In the meantime, here’s another chance to hear one of our most listened-to episodes.   John talks to Julie Dirksen, a leading expert in instructional design, digital learning and behaviour change. Is it a problem for learning professionals that even when they have supported learners in gaining the knowledge and skills they need to do things right, and to do the right thing, once back in the workplace they so often do the exact opposite?   The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of behaviour change, addressing the 'elephant and rider' problem in human psychology, and confronts the tricky ethical questions that effective use of behaviour change techniques inevitably brings up.   ---------- 03:37 What does the ‘elephant and rider’ image mean in behaviour change? 12:26 The importance of feedback 16:48 Intent vs behaviour 18:00 Technology & behaviour change 24:28 The ethics of behaviour change 31:18 Is the ‘conspiracy of convenience’ a behaviour change problem? 39:03 Tips for overcoming resistance to being trained ----------   Links Jonathan Haidt, responsible for the 'elephant and rider' metaphor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Haidt   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Damasio   https://www.happinesshypothesis.com/   https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51070630_The_Behaviour_Change_Wheel_a_new_method_for_characterising_and_designing_behaviour_change_interventions   http://www.behaviourchangewheel.com/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nudge_(book)kk   Julie's Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=design%20for%20how%20people%20learn   Contact Julie Dirksen LinkedIn: https://wwwlinkedin.com/in/juliedirksen Twitter: @usablelearning Website: usablelearning.wordpress.com   Contact John Helmer Twitter: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/   Download the new white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer & Ben Betts – Suite Dreams: The Past, Present and Future of Learning Systems https://learningpool.com/suite-dreams/

The Learning Hack is taking a break for the Summer. We’ll be back in September, but meanwhile, here’s our second most listened-to episode of all time, featuring an interview with Nick Shackleton-Jones. John talks to Nick about his book, 'How People Learn'.   01:22 About the book 04:04 Its ambitions 07:16 The affective context model 16:40 Instructional design 22:51 The learner experience 25:30 Learning in the flow of work 28:14 Are things getting better? 31:22 Business and emotion 33:12 Sentiment analysis and AI 37:46 Innovation

Audrey Watters' new book, Teaching Machines, tells the story of how two academics, Sidney Pressey in the 1920s and B.F. Skinner in the 1950s, attempted to develop and market mechanical devices for learning. John talks to Audrey about the book and explores the reasons why both of these pioneers of pre-computer learning technology, ultimately, failed.   In the book Audrey Watters, who describes herself as 'an education writer, an independent scholar, a serial dropout, a rabble-rouser, and ed-tech's Cassandra', also draws comparisons with today's technologists, and sees the pervasive influence of B.F. Skinner at work in their attempts to use personalization as a means of control.   00:00 - Intro 03:06 - B. F. Skinner and his teaching machine 08:30 - Sidney Pressey’s teaching machine, 1920s 18:38 - Did B.F. Skinner really raise his daughter in a box 21:50 - Why has personalization of education not happened? 28:06 - What technologists get wrong about education 39:03 - What has been her personal journey in learning?     The Book: Teaching Machines: The History of Personalized Learning https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/teaching-machines   Follow Audrey Twitter: @audreywatters LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-watters-96135a145/ Website: http://audreywatters.com/ Blog: http://hackeducation.com/   Contact John Helmer Twitter: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/   Download the new white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer & Ben Betts – Suite Dreams: The Past, Present and Future of Learning Systems https://learningpool.com/suite-dreams/

John talks to Bob Mosher, champion of workflow learning and the Five Moments of L&D Need. Bob has been an active and influential leader in the learning and training industry for over 30 years and is renowned worldwide for his pioneering role in new approaches to learning. Based in South Carolina, he is CEO and Chief Learning Evangelist at Apply Synergies. Previously he was with Microsoft, as Director of Learning Strategy. Bob is also a Maisie Fellow.   00:00 - Intro 02:40 - What are the 5 moments of L&D need? 09:22 - What progress has he seen in the 20 years since the 5 moments were defined? 14:37 - Are vendors building the right tech for workflow learning? 20:55 - Why haven’t we seen EPS systems emerge as a discrete product category? 23:01 - How do we stop workflow learning being an interruption? 27:45 - Which learning theorists have shaped his ideas? 35:02 - Where can people follow his ideas? 37:27 - Next time on the Learning Hack …   Mentioned in the discussion: Gery, G. (1991). Electronic performance support systems: How and why to remake the workplace through the strategic application of technology. Tolland, MA: Gery Performance Press.   Dr. Conrad Gottfredson: https://www.5momentsofneed.com/conrad-gottfredson.htm   Dr. Alison Rosset: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allison-Rossett   Robert F. Mager https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Mager   Contact Bob Mosher Twitter: @bmosh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmosher/ Website: https://www.applysynergies.com/ Bob's podcast: https://performancematters.podbean.com/   Contact John Helmer Twitter: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/   Download the new white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer & Ben Betts – Suite Dreams: The Past, Present and Future of Learning Systems https://learningpool.com/suite-dreams/

This special edition of the podcast features interviews with two people who have each in their different ways played important roles in the effort to vaccinate the world and free us all from the menace of Covid-19.   Marc Howells is VP & Head of Global Talent & Learning at AstraZeneca, developers of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222, one of the leading weapons in the fightback against global pandemic.   Reda Sadki, President of The Geneva Learning Foundation, is an old friend of the podcast. He leads a Swiss non-profit that connects learning leaders to research, invent, and trial breakthrough approaches for new learning, talent and leadership, with a focus on immunization and other critical issues in global health.   03:43 - Marc’s role & priorities at AstraZeneca 04:34 - What has the last year been like for the team in AtraZeneca? 07:52 - What skills issues has this rapid rate of change given rise to? 14:02 - What’s driving your increase in learning during the pandemic? 17:10 - How much of the shift to digital in AstraZeneca will be long-lasting? 22:10 Hopes (& fears) for the future? 26:26 Reda Sadki interview starts 34:52 ACT-A and COVAX 39:21 Leadership and immunization 42:52 Are we learning fast enough to beat the virus?   Watch the unedited livestream of John's conversation with Reda Sadki here: https://youtu.be/s8fH9gyFMms   Follow Marc Howells LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-howells-3002598?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BiVuw%2BAmoQcSZG%2FZxhl80qw%3D%3D   Follow Reda Twitter: @redasadki LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/redasadki?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BYIFVZmEfQxiPNGnbhBXmxg%3D%3D Geneva Learning Foundation website: https://www.learning.foundation/   Contact John Helmer Twitter: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/   Download the new white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer & Ben Betts – 'Data & learning: A new common-sense approach' https://learningpool.com/data-learning-a-new-common-sense-approach/

Cognitive load theory tells us that we have to do our best to make things easier for learners. But Bjork says that 'necessary' (or 'desirable') difficulties are an essential part of the process. Should learning be easy or difficult? Is there a simple way to resolve this apparent contradiction – or is it a matter of trade-offs?   John talks to Stella Collins, one of the 'Brain Ladies' and also Co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Stellar Labs, based in Belgium. With degrees in Psychology and Human Communication, she is an enthusiast for our growing knowledge of how the brain works. Starting with the issue of difficulty, the discussion ranges widely over the applicability (and otherwise) of brain science to how we can best support learners.   02:38 - Can psychology help us make things easier for learners? 09:25 - ‘Desirable difficulties’ 13:03 - How do you balance desirable difficulties and UX? 17:26 - What drew her to a career in learning? 24:47 - How useful is neuroscience for learning? 32:45 - How applicable are insights from science to practical situations? 36:33 - Sleep and learning   Contact Stella Twitter: @stellacollins LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stellacollins Website: stellarlabs.eu (Company Website)   Contact John Helmer Twitter: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/   Download the new white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer & Ben Betts – 'Data & learning: A new common-sense approach' https://learningpool.com/data-learning-a-new-common-sense-approach/

John talks to Mirjam Neelen, Head of Global Learning Design & Learning Sciences at Novartis, and a well-known blogger and speaker. She recently co-authored a book, Evidence-Informed Learning Design, with Paul Kirschner that has been extremely influential in learning and development. The book has plentiful tips, tools and examples to help L&D and training professionals avoid the myths and hype and design effective learning based on solid research.   The conversation also covers two controversial and much-vaunted areas for future development in learning: neuroscience and AI. Are they really as useful for learning as some believe?   02:55 - How does she balance practitioner role with ‘guruhood’? 05:08 - Why has the ‘evidence-informed’ message resonated so strongly? 7:46 - The learning sciences and how to approach them 10:40 - How useful is neuroscience for learning really? 15:58 - How useful is AI for learning? 22:36 - Adaptive systems and LXPs 25:10 - What role has tech played in shaping ideas about learning? 30:48 - When Theory met Reality 35:24 - How should people focus their efforts to become more evidence-informed?   Mentioned in the discussion [book] How Learning Happens: Seminal Works in Educational Psychology and What They Mean in Practice By Paul A. Kirschner, Carl Hendrick, Routledge 2020 [Podcast episode] Learning Sciences Weekly: Enhancing learning experiences using AI with Donald Clark https://www.learningscienceweekly.com/student/activity/742575-episode-5-enhancing-learning-experiences-using-ai-with-donald-clark Dick Clark research on AI cognitive task analysis discussed in Trish Uhl Learning tech 2019 talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzOz5shJU5k&t=2657s   Mirjam's Hall of Fame Patti Shank Will Thalheimer Jane Bozarth Clark Quinn Connie Malamed Paul Kirschner Donald Clark Etienne Wenger Victoria Marsick Geary A. Rummler Guy Wallace Michael Eraut Thomas Gilbert   Follow Mirjam Blog: https://3starlearningexperiences.wordpress.com/ Twitter: @MirjamN LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mirjamneelen   Contact John Helmer Twitter: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/ Download the new white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer & Ben Betts – 'Data & learning: A new common-sense approach' https://learningpool.com/data-learning-a-new-common-sense-approach/

John talks to Lior (Christine) Locher, a learning consultant, coach, author, and a director of the elearning network. Lior's experience spans journalism, practitioner L&D roles for companies such as McKinsey, Deloitte and the Boston Consulting Group as well as creative work and beer blogging. She has lived and worked on 4 continents. She knows 22 languages and speaks seven to intermediate level. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Learning and Performance Institute.   They discuss the dangers of binary thinking and techniques Lior has developed to overcome it. Lior identifies as gender non-binary, and the theme has a personal dimension too, touching on her own struggle to define herself appropriately in a world that all too often wants to put people in boxes.     02:56 - Lifecoaching in the pandemic 04:50 - How can we avoid binary thinking? 08:15 - How does binary thinking show up in her coaching/consulting work? 14:34 - Is creative thinking less binary? 18:13 - How did she get into L&D? 24:44 - Binaries and gender 31:53 - How well does business culture cope with change? 35:58 - Bring on the Roaring 20s – or a lasting change?     Mentioned in the discussion Tetralemma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetralemma   Website https://liorlocher.me/   Contact Lior LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christinelocher Twitter: @christineLocher Facebook: facebook.com/ChristineLocherLeadership/   Contact John Helmer Twitter: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/   Download the new white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer & Ben Betts – 'Data & learning: A new common-sense approach' https://learningpool.com/data-learning-a-new-common-sense-approach/