Post on 13-Apr-2017
Debunking Myths to
Drive L&D Forward
The Lesson of Potemkin’s Village
Brian Austin
Overview
Introduction
Potemkin’s Village
Lessons from Basketball
Learning Styles
L&D’s Inferiority Complex & HR’s Awkward Relationship
Carpe diem
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4
5
6
Potemkin’s Village
What we can learn from basketball
Learning Styles
Learning Style Poll
• Raise your hand• How many have recently heard a colleague
mention learning styles when justifying a learning design?
Learning Styles MythThe world isn’t, and never was, flat
What does this Mean?
Information retention depends on context
and application
Information storageInformation is stored as a meaning or concept, not as a sensory mode
Context and ApplicationRetentio
n
Storage Basic
Tittle
Context and Meaning
Why do we Care and Why does it Persist?
PersistCareWaste Resources
Create learning that
accounts for all
learning styles
LabelingDangerous. “I’m just
not good at learning
if I have to read.”
RomanticClassically
traditional
Fear & Credibility
Mantras for false
credibility: adult learning
theory
Single source multi modal
output
ROI
Waste
Dangerous
Romantic
Fear
How to Respond Reframe learning styles as a learning
preference: “That’s an important point. We need to consider how people’s preferences might affect their learning.”
Point out that much of the research done indicating learning styles was actually done by companies that profit in the sell of learning style inventories with no supporting independent research.
Other Myths in L&D
Brain trainingLeft and right
brained peopleLearning and
attention issues are linked to IQ
IQ is the primary determinant in a person’s success
Retention:• Read – 10%• Hear – 20%• Do – 30%
L&D’s Inferiority Complex
Stop
The push for better, faster, cheaper
Quality vs. QuantityIf there isn’t data … there isn’t data
Data
Technology implementationProject initiationConference attendance
EphemeralLevels 1 – three/fourSeat time.
Context and Meaning
Fluff Pests
Q v Q Yay
Start
Enhances credibility
CommunicateAnd then shareLessons-Learned
Change managementAdoption ratesImproved results
Effective …Acknowledge
Spirit of innovation.
Celebrate
Failure Apply Milestones Yay
HR and the BusinessPartners or annoying pests ..?
Learning CultureCarpe diem