Learning Science Lab Newsletter - Issue 2

?? Welcome to the Learning Science Lab Newsletter, your source of inspiration, knowledge, and creative insights for scientific learning. We invite you to ?????????????????? to our monthly issue if you are interested in L&D.

In this issue (no.2):

1. The impact of experiential learning. Find out what is experiential learning and how can be applied effectively in Learning and Development.

2. Meet Alexandra Ghergu?-Babii, our trainer specialized in Critical Thinking and soft skills courses.

3. Research Minute - How is emotion related to learning? Discover how we can use emotion for a successful learning process

4. Pin the L&D Concept. What is Reverse mentoring?

5. Quote of the Month.

6. L&D Resources. Why diversity and inclusion programmes are vital to companies?

7. L&D Books. Discover the three stages of settling a habit by reading our book recommendation.

?? Thank you for your support and for your trust in learning based on science!

#Learning is not just about absorbing information; it's about active engagement, application, and a journey of discovery. Experiential learning, a powerful educational approach, places learners at the center of the action, allowing them to actively participate and draw insights from hands-on experiences. Let's delve into the essence of experiential learning and how it transforms the educational landscape.

Experiential learning is an immersive, dynamic approach to education that emphasizes learning through direct experiences. Rather than passively receiving information, learners actively engage with the subject matter, applying theories in real-world contexts. This process involves reflection, analysis, and the synthesis of knowledge gained through practical experiences.

The four stages of experiential learning

Concrete experience: The learner engages in a real-world experience, whether it's a hands-on activity, a project, or an interactive scenario.

Reflective observation: Following the experience, the learner reflects on the events, examining what happened, how it felt, and what could have been done differently.

Abstract conceptualization: In this stage, learners draw connections between their experiences and existing knowledge, forming new concepts and understanding.

Active experimentation: Armed with newfound insights, learners apply their conceptual understanding to real-world situations, closing the loop by actively experimenting with their knowledge.

What are the benefits of experiential learning?

1. Enhanced engagement: Experiential learning captivates learners by making education dynamic and relevant. The hands-on experiences create a deeper connection to the subject matter.
2. Long-term retention: Active participation and application contribute to better retention. When learners experience concepts firsthand, the knowledge becomes ingrained in their memory.
3. Critical thinking and problem-solving: Experiential learning fosters critical thinking skills as learners navigate challenges, analyze outcomes, and devise solutions in real time.
4. Personal development: Beyond academic knowledge, experiential learning promotes personal growth. Learners develop confidence, adaptability, and a willingness to take on new challenges.
5. Preparation for the real world: The real-world application of knowledge mirrors the challenges individuals will face in their future careers. Experiential learning prepares learners for the complexities of the professional landscape.

How can experiential learning be applied?

Internships are a very good space to learn. Real-world work experiences provide invaluable insights into professional environments, offering a bridge between academic learning and practical application.?

In classrooms, simulations and role-playing play a valuable role. Simulations immerse learners in lifelike scenarios where they apply theoretical knowledge to solve problems or make decisions. At the same time, we can combine community service with academic learning. Service learning projects enable learners to address real community needs while gaining practical skills. Last, but not least, visiting relevant sites and engaging with professionals in the field brings learning to life, providing context and real-world examples.

While experiential learning is a powerful methodology, its successful implementation requires careful planning and consideration. Challenges may include resource constraints, logistical issues, and ensuring that the experiences align with the learning objectives. At Talent Collection, in our training programs, we foster different ways of experiential learning to ensure a successful experience.

Experiential learning is not just a pedagogical method; it's a philosophy that transforms education into a vibrant, dynamic process. By encouraging learners to actively participate, reflect, conceptualize, and experiment, experiential learning cultivates a deep understanding that extends far beyond the classroom.

1. ?? Meet Alexandra Ghergu?-Babii, one of our trainers. Alexandra is passionate about critical thinking and methods to combat misinformation and she will answer a few questions about why critical thinking is important in learning. Check it up here!

Learning activity is linked to the memory capacity of the brain. Many times we feel we cannot memorize important loads of information even if we try to repeat it many times. What other tools can help us??

?? Larry Cahill and James L. McGaugh studied the role of emotion in our memory process. One of their first experiments gathered people that read a paragraph: one about mundane things and one that described emotional events. After a while, they left the experiment and when they came back they were asked to recall the content of the paragraph they previously read.?

The result showed that the subjects that read the emotionally intense paragraph, remembered more and more accurately than the ones that read the mundane paragraph. Even though this thing seems quite known today, we sometimes forget during our teaching or learning activity that it is important to link the content to emotions. We can create a more emotional context (it doesn't have to be negative, joy can work as well for example), we can put the content in more emotional words or we can make associations between information and emotion when we study.

??Link of the study??

1. Quote of the month

1. ?? L&D ResourcesWhy diversity and inclusion programmes are vital to companies?To address the substantial barriers hindering equality in the workplace, company-wide training on diversity and inclusion is imperative. Recognizing a significant knowledge gap even within HR and L&D, it is crucial for professionals in these roles, as well as equality and diversity officials, to undergo training that equips them with a sensitive and precise understanding of transgender issues. Find out more here!

7.?? L&D Books

Are we the victims of our habits? We are told that everyday habits contribute to our success but the theory is always easier than the practice. We know that ?old habits die hard” and new habits are very difficult to create.?

?? That's why we want to recommend a very useful book on changing habits: The power of habit by Charles Duhigg. Charles Duhigg offers us a very good tool to regain the power of our own habits. He breaks the habit into three parts: the cue, the routine, and the reward which creates the habit loop.?

• The cue: is the trigger (situational: place, time, emotional state, etc) that determines the craving for the reward.?
• The routine: the action that we take to get the reward (the habit itself)?
• The reward: the satisfaction we get after we get through the routine.?

The interesting perspective of the author is that if we identify the cue of a habit, we can replace the routine to get the same reward. For example, if we have the habit of eating plenty of sweets at the end of the day, after a good analysis we can notice that we do that often after a hard day at work and we feel very relaxed. We can find other healthy routines that can give this satisfaction and we can replace eating sweets with talking to a friend/getting a massage/eating healthy fruits, etc.?

?This book is a framework for understanding how habits work and a guide to experimenting with how they might change. Some habits yield easily to analysis and influence. Others are more complex and obstinate and require prolonged study. And for others, change is a process that never fully concludes. But that doesn't mean it can't occur.” (p.276)