I think we all have an intuitive sense that learning should be difficult, but not too difficult. If, for example, you enrolled in a third grade math class you would likely do very well but wouldn’t learn anything you didn’t already know. On the other hand, if you enrolled in a graduate course in theoretical … Continue reading Is There a Failure Rate That Leads to Optimal Learning?
Category: Learning
Earlier this year I wrote a blog post (here) questioning the value proposition of using VR for training. I DID NOT argue that VR was not effective; what I did argue was that I have yet to find a study that shows that VR is MORE effective than traditional, less expensive, forms of training -- … Continue reading A Study That (Maybe) Justifies Using VR for Training
In our past two posts we examined strategies for using microlearning for (a) delivering new content and (b) creating a sustainment learning strategy. This week we will consider how to use microlearning in the case where there is a large learning event and the goal is to achieve and sustain mastery. Returning to the classic … Continue reading Using Microlearning to Ensure Long Term Mastery
Slight change of plan. This week we will discuss using microlearning for sustained learning; next week we’ll look at the mastery strategy. Last week we discussed a microlearning strategy that can be deployed when the microlearning is the learning (there is no large-scale learning event). This week we will consider how to use microlearning in … Continue reading Sustaining Learning with Microlearning
When I teach learning workshops, I often ask the attendees: “What is transfer of training? How do we know it has occurred?’ Of course, I always get the same answer: “If the learner can apply what he or she has learned in a course back on the job, then training transfer has occurred.” So, I … Continue reading Do You REALLY Know What Training Transfer Is? Maybe Not.
Intela has a variety of evidence-based Microactivities that improve and sustain learning. One of the more popular activities is the Learning Sprint. A Learning Sprint is a flashcard-like exercise in which learners are required to answer questions from an item pool over a period of several days or weeks (exact scheduling can be set by … Continue reading Why Are You Quizzing Me on What I Already Know?
We all know that our muscles improve with use. If we start lifting weights we gradually get stronger and, over time, can lift heavier weights. If we begin running regularly we will improve our speeds. But what about memory? Does the analogy with our muscles work? Will our memories improve if we “exercise” them? When … Continue reading Learning Myth #10: Memory is like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets.
Last week we showed the results of a survey that provided evidence that learners overwhelmingly choose to study for an exam by re-reading the course material, to the exclusion of other more effective study methods. But what about confidence? Who is more confident: learners who restudy or learners who take practice tests? And how does … Continue reading You Have a Test. Have You Studied? Good. Are You Confident? Not So Fast.
When faced with an exam how do our learners actually study? We know from a lot of research that testing is a much more effective means of learning than re-reading. But, do students know this? And if they do know this, do they practice it? In 2009 Karpicke, Butler and Roediger surveyed 177 undergraduates at … Continue reading How Do Learners Actually Study?
Last week we wrote about long term memory and memorization. Usually when people talk about long term memory they fail to distinguish that learners have two types: Explicit (or declarative) memory Implicit (or non-declarative) memory Explicit memory is things you know, that you can express in words. For example: Albany is the capital of New … Continue reading We Have Two Kinds of Long Term Memory and Each Is Important for Learning and Performance
