The LDA Podcast: An Exploration of Evidence-Informed Approaches to Learning and Development
The LDA Podcast: An Exploration of Evidence-Informed Approaches to Learning and Development
Matthew Richter, Clark Quinn, Markus Bernhardt
Originally spearheaded by noted learning scientists and consultants, Will Thalheimer and Matt Richter, and originally called Truth In Learning, the updated, upgraded, and rebooted LDA Podcast explores all aspects of the Learning and Development field- validated tools and resources for better training, debunked learning models, controversies in the industry, and so much more. Now hosted by Matt and Clark Quinn (another noted scientist and consultant, the podcast will dive deeply into what makes learning and development more effective and beneficial for its end-users, stakeholders, and practitioners. Along with our monthly and general episodes, we will also offer a monthly series on AI, hosted by AI expert, Markus Bernhardt. Over the upcoming season, The LDA Podcast will: -- Keep you current with L&D research and innovations -- Unpack complex ideas and concepts -- Sharpen your critical thinking skills -- Stimulate your L&D grey cells (although this objective may not be evidence-based) New episodes will hit your feed every two weeks.
Empowering Future Generations: AI's Evolution in Learning and Upskilling with Myra Roldan
In this episode of AI and L&D Insights, Markus and Myra Roldan explore the rapid evolution of AI in learning and development. They discuss the impact of large language models and AI tools on upskilling, emphasizing the importance of ethical AI use and diverse representation in the field. Myra shares insights on integrating augmented and virtual reality with AI for immersive learning experiences and highlights initiatives like Amazon's educator enablement program and youth engagement programs. This episode is a thought-provoking journey into AI's transformative role in education and workforce preparedness.And here are the links referenced and the way to find Myra.Notebook LM https://notebooklm.google/Notion https://www.notion.so/Bloks https://www.bloks.app/manifestoFathom https://fathom.video/AWS Machine Learning University https://aws.amazon.com/machine-learning/educators/Myra RoldanConnect with me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/myraroldanWebsite: https://www.learnwithmyra.online/
Jan 11
43 min
The "Holy Podcast, Batman" Episode
This episode’s topics: Is AI cheating? What is the impact on intellectual property? Learner assessment? Heck, even job replacement? These questions are both philosophical and pragmatic. What about the value of critical thinking... and does AI take that application away? We explore ways to use AI more effectively... but recognize we cannot even fathom some of the consequences, yet.In the spirit of Christmas and Santa Claus, is it ok to ever lie to your learners? What is the value of the "white lie?" What is fiction in the context of learning? Is it a lie? How do we use or adapt case studies? We discuss the more nuanced, ethical questions related to the truth in the context of learning.Joining Matt and Clark is Karl Kapp. Karl is a professor of instructional technology and the Director of the Institute for Interactive Technologies at Bloomsburg University. He is also the founder of the Learning and Development Mentor Academy where he offers tons of self-paced workshops and live sessions for seasoned L&D professionals. He also co-founded Enterprise Game Stack, a company that designs, develops and delivers online, digital card activities and games that keep participants focused, engaged, and collaborative, while reinforcing learning both in the moment and over time. You can find Karl on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlkapp/ And on his website here: https://karlkapp.com Episode Notes:Matt refers to the book, Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. https://www.amazon.com/Everybody-Lies-Internet-About-Really-ebook/dp/B01AFXZ2F4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32XE7RFU8662&keywords=Everybody+lies&qid=1703693836&sprefix=everybody+lies%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1 Karl refers to Damned Lies and Statistics by Joel Best. https://www.amazon.com/Damned-Lies-Statistics-Untangling-Politicians/dp/0520274709/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NIS0ITNOKV1A&keywords=lies%2C+damned+lies%2C+and+statistics&qid=1703693953&sprefix=Lies%2C+damned+li%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1 Clark refers to Cognitive apprenticeship: Teaching the crafts of reading, writing, and mathematics by Allan Collins, John Seely Brown, and Susan E. Newman. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1989-98135-013Scott Page wrote The Model Thinker: What You Need To Know To Make Data Work For You. https://www.amazon.com/Model-Thinker-What-Need-Know-ebook/dp/B07B8D3V9V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12ZCGDWY9C3GI&keywords=The+Model+Thinker&qid=1703694035&sprefix=the+model+thinker%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1And, Scott is from the University of Michigan.
Dec 28, 2023
46 min
AI and L&D Insights: L&D, AI, and the Skills Based Organization (SBO)
In this episode, Markus and Jeroen van Hautte dive into the world of AI and L&D, but with a specific view towards the future of the Skills Based Organization (SBO). Jeroen shares his views on the future of work, the impact AI is going to have, and how it all fits in with the skills piece - in L&D, in HR, and in the wider organization.Jeroen is the co-founder and CTO of TechWolf, an AI start-up revolutionizing workforce skill management for global clients like Booking.com, GSK and United Airlines. A top graduate of Cambridge University, he's recognized by Forbes '30 Under 30' for his contributions to AI and mentorship in engineering. As an advisor and thought leader, he maintains a strong connection to research while steering TechWolf's product vision and fostering an inclusive, customer-driven engineering culture.You can find Jeroen and TechWolf on LinkedIn here:Jeroen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeroenvanhautte/TechWolf: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techwolf/ TechWolf's website is: https://techwolf.com/Two more links referred to in the show are:A guide to building a resilient ecosystemA guide to building the foundations for your skill-based organisation
Dec 14, 2023
39 min
The "Talk to the Elephant" Episode
Clark and Matt are joined by instruction design guru and all around fantastic human, Julie Dirksen. Julie has been in the business for over 15 years creating highly interactive and more importantly, highly effective eLearning experiences for clients all around the world. But, Julie is more than that! She is one of the those go-to people in the industry. She is an expert that many other experts in our industry turn to and call a researcher translator. Meaning she digs into core issues… practical issues, in the work learning practitioners do. She figures out what the research says, and then puts it into succinct, useful bites that are immediately applicable. Her first book, DESIGN FOR HOW PEOPLE LEARN is one of those rare books in L&D that broke out and became a best seller beyond the industry. It is the go-to book for designers and trainers. Today, Clark and I get to talk with her about latest book, TALK TO THE ELEPHANT, DESIGN LEARNING FOR BEHAVIOR CHANGE. We talk about systems thinking and how the system can affect the factors that influence how and why one behaves as one does. We explore the individual factors such as motivation, incentives, and environmental factors. And more! As Clark will say in the episode, TALK TO THE ELEPHANT is a wonderful complement, a companion, to DESIGN FOR HOW PEOPLE LEARN. We originally planned to talk with Julie for just 20 minutes, One hour later… we were still going and felt like we could go on forever. Julie also joins us at the end for Best and Worst. You can find Julie at: https://usablelearning.com.Julie rattles off so many models and tools throughout the show, we recommend you simply buy the book to get more on each, as well as their respective references. For the links she directly references, here they are:The change ladder survey link is on the book page:https://usablelearning.com/elephant/ Julie’s "best" was Casey Fiesler.  Her video on Fair Use is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2PuntvfN20 Casey has a shorter version here that skips the wolf-themed erotica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuDEgnxkGDg)  The syllabus for her tech ethics course on tiktok is here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tWdqYqYBHARbZXFQX4cybe88S-0twqvUu1xLhYnLgU4/edit?usp=sharing 
Nov 30, 2023
1 hr 2 min
AI and L&D Insights: Instructional Design, Utilizing AI - A Practitioner's Perspective
In this episode, Digital Creator and Instructional Designer Adrienne Thomas takes us on a personal journey through the AI tools landscape, from the front line perspective of an experienced practitioner. Adrienne shares with us her personal journey, how she deploys AI tools in her day to day work and the value she derives from them, as well as her experiences from the courses she delivers where she introduces others to these tools and their applications.You can find Adienne here: https://digitalwisdom.life and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adwthomas/.Her course, coloring book and AI coaching is included on her linktree.Here are the links referenced in the episode:Gamma App: A new medium for presenting ideas, powered by AI. Create beautiful, engaging content with none of the formatting and design work.- https://gamma.app/Pictory's powerful AI enables you to create and edit professional quality videos using text, no technical skills required or software to download: https://pictory.ai/Animoto: https://animoto.com/Canva is a free-to-use online graphic design tool. Use it to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos and more: https://www.canva.com/Midjourney: https://www.midjourney.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ourdigitalwisdom
Nov 16, 2023
42 min
The "To Pivot or Not to Pivot, That is the Question" Episode
In this episode, we offer up three independent segments. Matt Richter is joined first by Nidhi Sachdeva. Nidhi is both an evidence-based learning designer and a researcher. She just completed her PhD in the spring, and the two talk about the differences between learning and performance. Then, Guy Wallace is in the house. Guy needs no introduction, having been a performance analyst and instructional architect for a few decades now. We talk about his latest book, The L&D Pivot Point, published by LDA Press. Finally, in our third segment, the inimitable Thiagi joins Matt for a new series we will intermittently run called “A Person of Interest.” Thiagi shares his biography… his story with us.You can find Nidhi most easily on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nidhi-sachdeva-toronto/, or her blog with Jim Hewitt here: https://scienceoflearning.substack.com Guy can be found here: https://eppic.biz/guy-w-wallace-2/ And, Thiagi here: https://thiagi.com. Nidhi references the work of Paul Kirscher, John Sweller, and Richard Mayer and their article, Why Minimal Guidance During Instruction Does Not Work: An Analysis of the Failure of Constructivist, Discovery, Problem-Based, Experiential, and Inquiry-Based Teaching. You can find it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1207/s15326985ep4102_1?needAccess=true Matt & Nidhi refer to the cognitive architecture and instructional design when discussing complex skills. He references the Sweller, van Merrienboer, and Paas article from 1998: Cognitive Architecture and Instructional Design found here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1022193728205 They also deviate and start talking about SDT (Self-Determination Theory), and you can learn more about that here: https://selfdeterminationtheory.orgAnd, Matt wrote an article about SDT in the context of learning found here: https://ldaccelerator.com/lda-blog-1/open-the-motivational-door-and-let-the-learners-in-and-keep-them The 85% Rule for Optimal Learning can be found here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12552-4 Scott Rigby and Richard Ryan, Glued to Games: How Video Games Draw Us In and Hold Us Spellbound. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-01778-000  Guy’s book, The L&D Pivot point can be purchased here: https://ldaccelerator.com/the-ld-pivot-point Thiagi studied with Albert Elsen. Here’s more info about him: https://honorsandawards.iu.edu/awards/honoree/1453.html BEST AND WORST REFERENCES:Daniel Willingham Tik Tok on the fallacy of rereading for studying. Ok… there are a ton of Tim Tok videos by Dan. We aren’t sure exactly which one she referred to, but after going through several to find it, we recommend the whole darn Willingham channel. It’s great. https://www.tiktok.com/@daniel_willingham 
Nov 2, 2023
1 hr 21 min
Navigating the AI Revolution: Individual Initiative and Organizational Strategy
In this episode, Markus and Josh delve into the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on both organizations and individual professionals. They emphasize the urgency for individuals to proactively engage with AI technologies, particularly in the fields of education and corporate training. The discussion also navigates through the ethical and strategic complexities that accompany this technological shift. Tune in to gain insights into how individual initiative in AI adoption could be a decisive factor in career and organizational success.Links referred to or promised in the episode: Classes https://go.joshcavalier.com/masterclass Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/JoshCavalier 150+ Prompts for Educationhttps://www.joshcavalier.com/150Prompts YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@joshcavLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcavalier/ 
Oct 19, 2023
43 min
The "Follow the Leader" Episode
In this episode, podcast host, Matt Richter is joined by Nigel Paine, organizational learning and leadership expert. Together, they spend the whole episode exploring that nebulous and vague concept of leadership. They fail to definitively lock in a definition for leadership— thus demonstrating one of the inherent challenges organizations face when leveraging LD programs. But, more importantly, they look at what we can do, when we effectively develop leaders within organizational contexts. Leaders are all about managing… managing the context. No one style, approach, model, theory, or consultant prescription will work in all scenarios… of at all. So, what is one to do? Focus on flexibly adapting and managing that aforementioned context. Recognize that that there are so many different perspectives— the leaders, the followers, other players, etc. And then find ways to accept and leverage those different perspectives.In other words, leadership is utterly founded on adaptation and change. It is about systems thinking. To paraphrase Keith Grint, leadership is all about working to solve those wicked problems we face.Nigel answers the question about how we can predict or forecast whether someone will be a good leader. Which then leads to a discussion of how we conceive of leadership in our culture and how we describe leadership success.Below are some references and notes from the show:We referenced both Barbara Kellerman and Jeffrey Pfeffer:Kellerman, B. (2012). The End of Leadership. New York: Harper Collins. Kellerman, B. (2015). Hard Times: Leadership in America. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Pfeffer, J. (2015). Leadership BS: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time. New York, Harper Business. Matt mentioned some of the Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus management comparisons reference: Young, M., & Dulewicz, V. (2007). Similarities and Differences between Leadership and Management: High-Performance Competencies in the British Royal Navy. British Journal of Management, 19(1), 17-32. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2007.00534.xAnd the book from them is LEADERS: Strategies for Taking Charge.Nigel mentioned John Kotter. Here are two references that sum up his work nicely.Kotter, J.P. (2001) What Leaders Really Do. Harvard Business Review. December 2001.Adapted from A Force for Change: How Leadership Differs From Management (pp. 3–8), by J. P. Kotter, 1990, New York, NY: Free Press. General Electric’s Crotonville Leadership Institute was actually opened in 1956, not in 1947, as Nigel stated. We referred to Keith Grint and his article:Grint, K. (2005). Problems, problems, problems: The social construction of ‘leadership.’ Human Relations. 58 (11), 1467-1494.The originators of wicked and tame problems: Rittel and Webber.Rittel, H.W.J. and Webber, M.M.. (1973) Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning. Policy Sciences. 4, pp. 155-169.Peter Senge and The Fifth Discipline. You can find the book anywhere books are sold.Winston Churchill. There are a ton of biographies about Churchill. Matt’s favorite’s are the William Manchester volumes. Neville Chamberlain reference: Self, R. (2013, September 30). Was Neville Chamberlain Really a Weak and Terrible Leader? Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24300094.Tina Kiefer— and others—  on the drawing a Leader exercise: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/health/women-leadership-workplace.html?smid=url-share Joseph Devlin: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/joseph-t-devlin_learningstyles-brainmyth-activity-7113156889688854528-RFWZ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Oct 5, 2023
39 min
AI and L&D Insights-- Large Language Models: Hype vs. Reality
In this episode, Markus and Chris Pedder, Chief Data Scientist at OBRIZUM, discuss the rise and utility of large language models (LLMs) in L&D, including their limitations, as well as ethical concerns.
Sep 21, 2023
38 min
The "Once Upon A Time" Episode
In this episode, we reboot the Truth in Learning podcast. After catching up with Will Thalheimer, and introducing Clark Quinn, we give a brief update on the direction of the show. We then explore the question, "What should every CEO know... care about... concerning learning and development?" In fact, Will will share some of his recent insights into the topic based on his new and upcoming book.Folks can find Will at https://www.worklearning.com/.Learn about his upcoming book here: https://www.ceosguide.net/Then, Kat Koppett, renowned expert on applied improvisational theater techniques and storytelling, joins the conversation with Matt and Clark. Together, they explore what is meant by storytelling in the context of learning, and learning and development. They discuss some of the academic and research disciplines that are foundational to applied storytelling, referencing psychologist Jerome Bruner, cultural theorist Mieke Bal, applied researcher Roger Shank, and others. You can find Kat at: https://www.koppett.com/.Finally, the team brings back the best and the worst-- where hosts and guests share their best and worst observations in the industry.
Sep 7, 2023
1 hr 13 min
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