Leading Learning Podcast

Practice and feedback are essential to effective learning, yet all too often they aren’t given the time and attention they deserve by learning businesses. Practice and feedback are powerful tools for moving a learning experience away from pure theory and content and towards deeper learning and application in the real world. In this fifth episode in our seven-part series on learning science’s role in a learning business, we feature key insights related to practice and feedback from conversations with learning design experts Myra Roldan, Ruth Colvin Clark, Patti Shank, Michael Allen, and Cathy Moore. We connect their perspectives to highlight the importance of practice and feedback as evidence-based tools and critical components of designing effective learning experiences. Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode276. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, SelfStudy. *** SelfStudy is a learning optimization technology company. Grounded in effective learning science and fueled by artificial intelligence and natural language processing, the SelfStudy platform delivers personalized content to anyone who needs to learn either on the go or at their desk. Each user is at the center of their own unique experience, focusing on what they need to learn next. For organizations, SelfStudy is a complete enterprise solution offering tools to instantly auto-create highly personalized, adaptive learning programs, the ability to fully integrate with your existing LMS or CMS, and the analytics you need to see your members, users, and content in new ways with deeper insights. SelfStudy is your partner for longitudinal assessment, continuing education, professional development, and certification. Learn more and request a demo to see SelfStudy auto-create questions based on your content at selfstudy.com.

Both Ruth Colvin Clark and Myra Roldan are evidence-based learning designers who combine a nuanced understanding of learning theory with years of hands-on experience developing solutions. Ruth is principal and president of Clark Training & Consulting and has spent her career as an instructional psychologist, working with diverse organizations. She’s the author of many articles and books, including Evidence-Based Training Methods, and she co-authored e-Learning and the Science of Instruction. Myra Roldan is a technologist and learning professional who currently serves as chief cloudification officer at Amazon Web Services. She does a bit of everything, from research and data analytics, to implementing new technologies, to creating full-blown learning experiences. Much of her personal work is focused on increasing access and opportunity for underserved groups, including women and minorities, so they can get jobs that will earn them a livable income. In this fourth episode in our seven-part series on learning science’s role in a learning business, we speak with Ruth and Myra individually to get their perspectives and expertise on designing effective learning experiences. We cover a variety of topics including research-based principles and their implications on learning, tips for working with subject matter experts to ensure learning objectives are met, how to avoid cognitive load, and the importance of knowing your audience. Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode275. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, SelfStudy. ** SelfStudy is a learning optimization technology company. Grounded in effective learning science and fueled by artificial intelligence and natural language processing, the SelfStudy platform delivers personalized content to anyone who needs to learn either on the go or at their desk. Each user is at the center of their own unique experience, focusing on what they need to learn next. For organizations, SelfStudy is a complete enterprise solution offering tools to instantly auto-create highly personalized, adaptive learning programs, the ability to fully integrate with your existing LMS or CMS, and the analytics you need to see your members, users, and content in new ways with deeper insights. SelfStudy is your partner for longitudinal assessment, continuing education, professional development, and certification. Learn more and request a demo to see SelfStudy auto-create questions based on your content at selfstudy.com.

Learner needs are important—but, in the context of learning businesses, learner wants are just as important. Correctly satisfying these needs and wants requires figuring out what to offer—not by assuming or guessing what’s needed in the market but by following processes and systems that yield the data to prove it. In this third installment in our seven-part series focused on learning science for learning businesses, we explain why performing market and needs assessments are critical steps in effectively applying learning science. We also discuss the Market Insight Matrix, a tool we created that treats assessment as a process rather than an event. Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode274. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, SelfStudy. ** SelfStudy is a learning optimization technology company. Grounded in effective learning science and fueled by artificial intelligence and natural language processing, the SelfStudy platform delivers personalized content to anyone who needs to learn either on the go or at their desk. Each user is at the center of their own unique experience, focusing on what they need to learn next. For organizations, SelfStudy is a complete enterprise solution offering tools to instantly auto-create highly personalized, adaptive learning programs, the ability to fully integrate with your existing LMS or CMS, and the analytics you need to see your members, users, and content in new ways with deeper insights. SelfStudy is your partner for longitudinal assessment, continuing education, professional development, and certification. Learn more and request a demo to see SelfStudy auto-create questions based on your content at selfstudy.com.

Dr. Megan Sumeracki is an associate professor of psychology at Rhode Island College and co-founder of The Learning Scientists, a group of cognitive psychological scientists aiming to make scientific research on learning more accessible to students, teachers, and other educators. Her area of expertise is in human learning and memory, and in applying the science of learning in different contexts. In this second episode in our series on learning science’s role in a learning business, Jeff talks with Megan about key ideas related to cognitive psychology, what they mean for learning providers, and tips for creating effective learning experiences that incorporate the science of learning. Specifically, they explore the concept of retrieval practice, ways to implement it, and the powerful impact it can have on learning.    Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode273. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, SelfStudy. ** SelfStudy is a learning optimization technology company. Grounded in effective learning science and fueled by artificial intelligence and natural language processing, the SelfStudy platform delivers personalized content to anyone who needs to learn either on the go or at their desk. Each user is at the center of their own unique experience, focusing on what they need to learn next. For organizations, SelfStudy is a complete enterprise solution offering tools to instantly auto-create highly personalized, adaptive learning programs, the ability to fully integrate with your existing LMS or CMS, and the analytics you need to see your members, users, and content in new ways with deeper insights. SelfStudy is your partner for longitudinal assessment, continuing education, professional development, and certification. Learn more and request a demo to see SelfStudy auto-create questions based on your content at selfstudy.com.

For any organization offering learning, learning science is important. But it’s arguably even more important for learning businesses because of the far-reaching impact that can be achieved from effectively applying it. In this first installment in our "Learning Science for Learning Businesses" new seven-part series, we take a broad look at the science of learning, including related practical insights and key areas of influence for learning businesses. We also preview the specific areas of learning science that we’ll address later in the series and their related implications for creating a thriving learning business.    Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode272. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, SelfStudy. ** SelfStudy is a learning optimization technology company. Grounded in effective learning science and fueled by artificial intelligence and natural language processing, the SelfStudy platform delivers personalized content to anyone who needs to learn either on the go or at their desk. Each user is at the center of their own unique experience, focusing on what they need to learn next. For organizations, SelfStudy is a complete enterprise solution offering tools to instantly auto-create highly personalized, adaptive learning programs, the ability to fully integrate with your existing LMS or CMS, and the analytics you need to see your members, users, and content in new ways with deeper insights. SelfStudy is your partner for longitudinal assessment, continuing education, professional development, and certification. Learn more and request a demo to see SelfStudy auto-create questions based on your content at selfstudy.com.

As we close out our seven-part series on the frontiers of learntech, we want to help you make sense of what the wide-ranging topics that emerged mean for the future of your learning business. Through the interviews with Ashish Rangnekar, Sam Sannandeji, Sae Schatz, and Donald Clark and our own reflective episodes, we’ve had the chance to touch on many different aspects of learntech. We covered everything from specific types of learntech, to the growing importance of data, the increasing need for organizations to have an integrated learning ecosystem in place, the essential role of standards in making such an ecosystem work, and, at long last, truly delivering on the promise of personalized learning. We also explored related philosophical and ethical concerns such as the accelerating pace of change, equity in access to learning technology, and the potential bias in the data and design of technologies. In this final episode in the series, we offer five suggested actions for how to make the promise of the frontiers of learntech a reality for your learning business: develop a data strategy, grow a learning ecosystem, conduct a feasibility study for XR, build a governance structure, and regularly reassess which learntech holds the most promise. Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode271. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, BenchPrep. ** BenchPrep is a pioneer in the modern learning space, digitally transforming professional learning for corporations, credentialing bodies, associations, and training companies for over a decade. With an award-winning, learner-centric, cloud-based platform, BenchPrep enables learning organizations to deliver the best digital experience to drive learning outcomes and increase revenue. The platform’s omni channel delivery incorporates personalized learning pathways, robust instructional design principles, gamification, and near real-time analytics that allow organizations across all industries to achieve their goals. More than 6 million learners have used BenchPrep’s platform to attain academic and professional success. BenchPrep publishes regular content sharing the latest in e-learning trends. To download BenchPrep’s latest e-books, case studies, white papers, and more go to benchprep.com/resources.

Ashish Rangnekar, a self-described lifelong learner, is co-founder and CEO of BenchPrep, where he’s focused on helping organizations digitally transform their learning offerings in the new digital world order. BenchPrep elevates and empowers learning businesses through their full-stack learning platform, aimed at delivering the best digital experience to drive outcomes and increase revenue. In this penultimate episode in our series on the frontiers of learning technology, Jeff talks with Ashish about why the learntech market is slated to experience unprecedented growth and transformation, related trends, and potential impact implications for learning businesses and society. Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode270. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, BenchPrep. ** BenchPrep is a pioneer in the modern learning space, digitally transforming professional learning for corporations, credentialing bodies, associations, and training companies for over a decade. With an award-winning, learner-centric, cloud-based platform, BenchPrep enables learning organizations to deliver the best digital experience to drive learning outcomes and increase revenue. The platform’s omni channel delivery incorporates personalized learning pathways, robust instructional design principles, gamification, and near real-time analytics that allow organizations across all industries to achieve their goals. More than 6 million learners have used BenchPrep’s platform to attain academic and professional success. BenchPrep publishes regular content sharing the latest in e-learning trends. To download BenchPrep’s latest e-books, case studies, white papers, and more go to benchprep.com/resources.

Recognized as a leader in extended reality (XR) learning, Sam Sannandeji is founder and CEO of Modest Tree, a Canadian company providing immersive software to empower non-technical people to create and maintain their own augmented reality and virtual reality training. He brings both a technical, hands-on expertise of how XR works with an understanding of the needs and pain points immersive technologies can successfully address. In this fourth installment in our seven-part series on the frontiers of learning technology, Celisa talks with Sam about the future of XR, its potential dangers and opportunities, and related advice for learning businesses on how to make practical use of augmented or virtual reality. Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode269. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, BenchPrep. ** BenchPrep is a pioneer in the modern learning space, digitally transforming professional learning for corporations, credentialing bodies, associations, and training companies for over a decade. With an award-winning, learner-centric, cloud-based platform, BenchPrep enables learning organizations to deliver the best digital experience to drive learning outcomes and increase revenue. The platform’s omni channel delivery incorporates personalized learning pathways, robust instructional design principles, gamification, and near real-time analytics that allow organizations across all industries to achieve their goals. More than 6 million learners have used BenchPrep’s platform to attain academic and professional success. BenchPrep publishes regular content sharing the latest in e-learning trends. To download BenchPrep’s latest e-books, case studies, white papers, and more go to benchprep.com/resources.

This marks the halfway point in our series on the frontiers of learntech. Our hope is that you have already begun to consider the implications this inevitable explosion in learning technology will have on your learning business.  And when it comes to implications we want to focus on some of the major themes that emerged from our earlier conversations with Donald Clark and Sae Schatz—particularly those related to bias and equity. Bias and artificial intelligence or, more specifically, bias in AI is not a new concern. But it’s one that’s been garnering more and more attention in recent years, and it feels appropriate to focus on it now because of the rise in social justice movements we’ve experienced here in the United States. In this fourth episode of the series, we explore the potential harm of bias in AI drawing on research from Joy Buolamwini and Cathy O’Neil, both featured in the Netflix documentary Coded Bias. We also discuss the difference between interpretability and explainability when it comes to understanding marketing AI, and why looking for bias in data is equally important to looking for bias in AI processes. Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode268. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, BenchPrep. ** BenchPrep is a pioneer in the modern learning space, digitally transforming professional learning for corporations, credentialing bodies, associations, and training companies for over a decade. With an award-winning, learner-centric, cloud-based platform, BenchPrep enables learning organizations to deliver the best digital experience to drive learning outcomes and increase revenue. The platform’s omni channel delivery incorporates personalized learning pathways, robust instructional design principles, gamification, and near real-time analytics that allow organizations across all industries to achieve their goals. More than 6 million learners have used BenchPrep’s platform to attain academic and professional success. BenchPrep publishes regular content sharing the latest in e-learning trends. To download BenchPrep’s latest e-books, case studies, white papers, and more go to benchprep.com/resources.

Throughout her career, Sae Schatz has been deeply immersed in the application and advancement of learntech. She currently serves as director of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, a government program for science, technology, and policy related to distributed learning. She's also an editor of and contributor to the e-book Modernizing Learning: Building the Future Learning Ecosystem. Prior to joining ADL, Sae worked as an assistant professor and an applied human-systems scientist, with an emphasis on human cognition and learning, instructional technologies, adaptive systems, human performance assessment, and modeling and simulation. In this third episode in our seven-part series on the frontiers of learning technology, Jeff talks with Sae about ADL’s “building the future learning ecosystem” initiative and the key ideas behind it. They also discuss the role of Total Learning Architecture (TLA), data, the future of learntech, and suggestions for learning businesses to capitalize on these new technologies. Full show notes and transcript available at leadinglearning.com/episode267. We are grateful to our sponsor for this series, BenchPrep. ** BenchPrep is a pioneer in the modern learning space, digitally transforming professional learning for corporations, credentialing bodies, associations, and training companies for over a decade. With an award-winning, learner-centric, cloud-based platform, BenchPrep enables learning organizations to deliver the best digital experience to drive learning outcomes and increase revenue. The platform’s omni channel delivery incorporates personalized learning pathways, robust instructional design principles, gamification, and near real-time analytics that allow organizations across all industries to achieve their goals. More than 6 million learners have used BenchPrep’s platform to attain academic and professional success. BenchPrep publishes regular content sharing the latest in e-learning trends. To download BenchPrep’s latest e-books, case studies, white papers, and more go to benchprep.com/resources.