David Kelly’s Curated L&D Content for the Week of 1/08/18

This week’s curated content includes links exploring the following:

• why the learning styles myth persists
• a reflective look at failure
• why 2018 will be a transformative year for VR
• lessons from a decade in design
• why your training methods may not be working
• how to be more honest about our beliefs

One Reason the ‘Learning Styles’ Myth Persists by Jesse Singal
Despite plenty of research debunking the myths around learning styles, it’s still a widely held belief among many professionals in the education and training space. With so much available research that contradicts this belief, one might wonder why the myth persists. This article poses one reason why that may be the case, and what our industry can do to chip away at the misconception.

Lessons Through Failure: An Entrepreneurial Education by Chad Udell
Failure is a great source of learning, but only if we take the time to reflect on why things went wrong, what we learned, and how that might shape how we move forward. This post is a great example of just one reflection, with a number of lessons that learning and performance professionals can learn from. A key point for me from this article: A life as a lifelong learner requires fortitude and the ability to adjust and move on.

Why 2018 Will Be The Year Of VR 2.0 by Daniel Terdiman
There are billions of dollars fueling the virtual reality marketplace, and usage of the technology continues to grow in both consumer and enterprise markets. At the same time, there are some constraints that limit the potential of what VR can do, and who has access to the technology. 2018 will be a year that removes many of those barriers, which should help drive adoption of VR to new heights. This article looks at some of the breakthroughs expected from virtual reality in 2018.

What I know after a decade in design by Nichola Rushton
I share this post for a number of reasons. First, it’s a great example of reflection, and how it can be a source of learning. Second, it features a number of great lessons that experienced and novice designers can learn from. Lastly, even if design isn’t a major part of your role, the lessons shared here are likely to apply in some way in your work. This is the type of post that reminds me how valuable open reflection can be. 

Why Your Training Methods Aren’t Working (Even If You Think They Are) by Justin Gray
This article isn’t written for learning and performance professionals. It’s written for CEOs and other organizational executives, and that’s actually why I share it here. This is how executive culture can view training programs, and our industry needs to hear conversations like this. In addition, the article targets two primary buckets training departments support – new hire onboarding and ongoing professional development – and examines more than a few common problems that many programs suffer from.

Believe via The Oatmeal
There are certain words that I always approach with caution, especially when I use them myself. One such word is “belief”. Belief is often used to describe something that we hold to be true even in the absence of fact-based verification. This comic from The Oatmeal does a great job of describing the power of belief, and how it can drive our reactions to change. It’s a great read for personal growth, and also has some key points that impact how people respond to learning programs that go against something they currently believe. NOTE: The Oatmeal is a comic that often contains profanity and NSFW imagery, but the link shared here is the clean version of this comic.

Go Beyond the Microlearning Buzz…

Microlearning is one of the hottest topics in our industry today. Before you jump on any new trend, it’s important to look beyond the hype and to develop an understanding of the true potential and value of the topic.

At the Microlearning Summit, you will explore what microlearning is and is not, and more importantly, what the most appropriate uses are for this new approach. You’ll leave this Summit with an awareness of the pros and cons of microlearning, as well as proven practices that you can leverage in your organization.