* How the brain responds to different aspects of consistency in learning * How L&D professionals can use cognitive science to inform training strategy * The data-driven impact of training consistency on business outcomes The free webinar is here: https://www.trainingindustry.com/webinar/strategy-alignment-and-planning/the-neuroscience-of-training-consistency/

1. © 2017 Training Industry, Inc.

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Tips for
the
Webinar • Follow along on Twitter:
@TTATraining
#TIwebinars
• US: +1.888.799.9666 ext 2
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Events
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Today’s
Speaker
Dr. Tom Whelan
Director of Corporate Research
Training Industry

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NEW RESEARCH REPORT
Describes the perspectives of 283
learners across a variety of industries
and company functions about the
consistency of their learning
experiences.

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I. Defining Training Consistency
II. The Neuroscience of Learning
III. How to Make Training
Consistency Work for You
IV. Q&A
Agenda

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Is L&D delivering a consistent
experience to learners?

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Ratings of Overall Training Consistency
8
N = 283

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POLL QUESTION
What do you think people usually mean when you hear the word
“consistency” talked about in the context of training ?
A B C
Everything is
consistent, soup
to nuts
The delivery of
training is
consistent
The structure
of content is
consistent
D
The way
learners access
training is
consistent
E
I’m not sure,
and they’re not
sure either

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POLL QUESTION
What do you think people usually mean when you hear the word
“consistency” talked about in the context of training ?
A B C
Everything is
consistent, soup
to nuts
The delivery of
training is
consistent
The structure
of content is
consistent
D
The way
learners access
training is
consistent
E
I’m not sure,
and they’re not
sure either

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Areas of Training Consistency
CONTENT
DESIGN
TRAINING
DELIVERY
LEARNING
TECHNOLOGY
TRAINING
ADMINISTRATION

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Average Learner Ratings of Training Consistency
N = 283
Always
Almost
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Not

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What does consistency in training
have to do with the brain?

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Pattern Recognition & Sense-Making
Source:WikimediaCommons,CC03.0,User:Fiestoforo

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Neuroplasticity
The brain is able to
grow, change, and
adapt continuously
throughout life.
“Cells that fire together,
wire together”

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The Limits of Neuroplasticity
© 2014, JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
Les Baugh at the Johns Hopkins
Advanced Physics Laboratory

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The Lobes of the Brain
Frontal Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Occipital
Lobe
Cerebellum

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The Hippocampus
Located in the temporal lobes
of the brain
• Part of the brain’s system for
stress response
• Critical to acquiring
knowledge
Etymology: Ancient Greek, hippos meaning "horse"
and kampos meaning "sea monster“

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How Does Memory Work?
The areas of the
brain that are
used to
experience
are the same
areas used to
remember.

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How Does Memory Work?
• Explicit memory
• Implicit memory
• Priming
We usually think of memory as storing
“facts” and “skills,” but memory is much
richer than that.

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Priming
RED

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Priming
RED

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Priming
BLUE
Blue Moon
Blue Suede Shoes
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Tangled Up in Blue
Blue (Da Ba Dee)

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POLL QUESTION
Can you “train your brain” to be stronger in the same way that
physical exercise makes the body stronger?
A B C
Yes, that
sounds right
Kind of, but it’s
shaky at best
Maybe? I
have no idea
D
No, I doubt it

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POLL QUESTION
Can you “train your brain” to be stronger in the same way that
physical exercise makes the body stronger?
A B C
Yes, that
sounds right
Kind of, but it’s
shaky at best
Maybe? I
have no idea
D
No, I doubt it

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Positive Cycle of Learning
Adapted from Hohnen & Murphy, 2016
Engage in task
Experience success,
sense of achievement,
positive feedback leads
to dopamine release
Desire to do it again,
anticipation leads to
dopamine release
Activity connects
neurons and builds
circuits
Competence leads to
feeling of success and
a desire to…
Myelination of circuits
makes for efficiency
and leads to
competence

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The Problem with Attention
Multitasking increases the
likelihood of making – and
impairs our ability to catch –
mental errors

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Cognitive Load & Working Memory
Not every type of
information is processed
the same way by the brain.
And this changes with
expertise and experience.

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How Do We Know?

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How Do We Know?

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How Do We Know?
DTIMRI

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How can I use this knowledge to
foster greater consistency in training?

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What Are Your Learners Learning?
How do I…?
Where is the…?
Why can’t I…?
There’s a QUIZ?!
When’s lunch?

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Making Consistency Work for You
Use common
elements & language
across training
content to tie
concepts together
Set up common
navigation for access
to any training
offering
Deploy a common
presentation
structure, regardless
of the modality
Make L&D changes
look gradual to keep
transitions smooth for
learners
Provide the same
type of feedback and
rewards as much as
possible
Include introductory
sections that
experienced learners
can skip
Do…
✓ ✓✓
✓✓✓

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Making Consistency Work for You
Make repeated
changes on a whim to
“keep up” with the
newest trends in the
market
Drastically overhaul
your L&D enterprise
in a short timeframe
and expect positive
results
Assume all learners
are at the same level
of proficiency with
learning technology
Interpret “consistency” to mean one modality or
applying it to an isolated training topic that may be
enterprise-wide
Don’t…




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Why Care?
Consistency in all areas was significantly related to:
• Motivation
• Professional development
• Training effectiveness
• Job satisfaction (i.e., engagement)
Consistency was not related to:
• Modalities
• Topics

37. © 2017
Questions?
@ thetrainingassociates.com
 1.800.241.8868
@TTATraining
 info@ttacorp.com
Thank you!
Questions?

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Upcoming
Training Industry
Webinars
October 18 - Measuring the Impact of Soft Skills
Training
October 19 - Transform the Learner Experience with
Big Data
October 24 - Data-Driven Customer Training:
Strategies for the Modern Learner
October 26 - Product Demo: Win at Social Learning
with the Docebo LMS

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More Ways to
Get Involved Become a CPTM
Virtual Session – November 13-16, 2017
Virtual Session – December 4-7, 2017

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Thank
you!
On behalf of Training Industry thanks to:
• Today’s Speaker: Dr. Tom Whelan
• Today’s Sponsor: The Training Associates
Questions or Comments?
• Please contact Lea Johnson
• ljohnson@trainingindustry.com